The Best Easy Vegan White Gravy Mix Recipe: Gluten-Free & Oil-Free!

After spending years looking for the perfect vegan white gravy mix I decided to make my own. And now I’m sharing it with you!

It’s so simple and inexpensive, makes the perfect base for a vegetarian southern black pepper gravy, can be dressed up with herbs and spices, and is shelf-stable so you can store it right in your pantry.

It takes no time to make the mix, and about 10 minutes to make gravy from it. You are going to be reaching for it all the time!

You can make a double or triple batch and store it in your cupboard or pantry in an air tight container.

It’s also easy to fit into everyone’s eating plan because it’s vegan, dairy-free, oil-free, gluten-free if you use gluten-free oats, and has a no-salt option!

But best of all it’s absolutely delicious!

Why you’ll love this vegan country white gravy recipe

It has all the convenience of a store-bought packet for about 10% or less of the price. There are no fancy ingredients, just things you have in your pantry right now.

You put the ingredients that fit your diet and that’s it! Plus you can make a batch of white herb gravy for garlic potatoes, create a vegan sausage gravy, or stick with good old pepper gravy.

You are totally in control! I don’t know about you, but these days I need all the control I can find!

Does store-bought gravy mix have dairy?

That depends on the brand and type of gravy mix that you might find. Some will have dairy derivatives in them and depending on what it is it could be hard to pick them out.

But you can check the allergy warning. It should tell you about dairy, eggs, wheat, and nuts there.

To make sure you get a meat-free mix, make sure it’s clearly labeled vegan. There are tons of vegan mixes at Whole Foods and even accidentally ones at your local grocery.

How can you thicken gravy?

This mix is basically a thickener in itself. So if you are using it, just add a bit more if your gravy isn’t thick enough.

What can you substitute milk for in gravy?

There are lots of different kinds of gravy and some use a milk substitute, but in others, you can use broth or water.

My vegan chicken gravy mix uses water, as does a typical brown gravy.

What is vegan gravy mix made of?

It’s almost ridiculously simple. Oat flour or ground rolled oats, ground black pepper, and salt or salt substitute are all you need.

But you can tailor it to a particular dish, use, or herbs that you have

What kind of milk is best for white gravy?

I like to use thicker milk like soy, but honestly, any plain unsweetened nondairy milk will work because the mix will thicken it up for you.

I would probably avoid rice milk, as I usually do because it’s thin and I don’t find it flavorful. Oat milk is my second choice, followed by cashew or almond milk.

Can I make this vegan gravy gluten-free?

Yes! Just make sure to choose rolled oats or oat flour that’s clearly labeled gluten-free.

In a pinch, you could substitute your favorite gluten-free flour blend, brown rice flour, or any other fine ground flour you prefer.

How to use the mix to make plant-based white gravy

To use the mix to make vegan gravy, add about 1/4 cup of the dry ingredients (white gravy mix) mix to a saute pan and toast until it starts to smell nutty.

Then add about 1 1/2 cups of your favorite unsweetened plain plant-based milk and heat over medium high heat until it just begins to boil, and gravy thickens to your desired consistency.

It’s very important to whisk the whole time! You can add more liquid if your gravy thickens too much.

Flavor variations

Add one or more of the following to create your own gravy recipes. You can really put your own spin on it for your special vegan recipes.

• garlic powder
• onion powder
• poultry seasoning
• nutritional yeast
• smoked paprika
• red pepper flakes
• course ground pepper
• herbs
• soy sauce
• mushroom powder
• sauteed mushrooms
• vegan sausage crumbles

Is it good on mashed potatoes?

It sure is if you like a nice creamy gravy. But you can add sauteed veggies, mushrooms, or vegan sausage crumbles to dress it up more.

How long does this gravy mix last?

The mix will last for several months when stored in an airtight container. If you want to, you can keep it in the freezer as well.

Can I reheat gravy?

You can put leftover gravy you make with it in the fridge to thin out and use within a few days.

Just add it to a saute pan with some extra non dairy milk, and gradually stir over medium heat until it’s the right texture and thickness.

What is a southern cream gravy? Can I make it vegan?

In the original recipe, it was a simple gravy made with pantry staples. It would have a roux made with butter or bacon grease, white flour, with whole milk or cream added. But of course, we make a vegan version with this recipe!

This mix makes a whole food plant-based version by leaving out the oil completely, using whole grain oat flour or ground rolled oats and your choice of plain unsweetened nondairy milk.

It was used over homemade biscuits, chicken fried steak, and other proteins.

You can still make biscuits, or put it over southern not-fried air fried soy curls and mashed potatoes, or a battered and air-fried slab of tofu or cauliflower steak.

What’s your favorite way to eat gravy?

Vegan biscuits and gravy are always welcome at our table. And you can make vegan buttermilk biscuits by adding a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to soy milk or oat milk to get it to curdle a bit and thicken.

Almond milk or cashew milk won’t thicken as much, but will still taste delicious.

Slice biscuits in half, warm them up, then slather in your homemade country gravy recipe. Serve with a scoop of tofu scramble and a pile of greens.

Is it possible to make vegan biscuits that are oil-free?

You know that I’m going to say yes, don’t you? It’s easy to adapt a biscuit recipe that uses vegan butter, olive oil, or coconut oil.

My favorite trick is to sub plain unsweetened vegan yogurt for the oil. You may have to add some extra liquid depending on the type of flour you use.

If you do make these oil-free realize that the tops may crack. But just split them open, place warm biscuits on a plate, and pour on the gravy for a comforting meal.

How can I use the mix to make vegan sausage gravy?

In a saute pan cook up about 4 – 6 of your favorite vegan sausage patties, like these homemade gf vegan ones with no nuts. Chop it up as it cooks.

Note: you can use homemade vegan sausage, Field Roast, Gardein, or your favorite plant based sausage.

Sprinkle a 1/4 cup of the white gravy mix, or flour in a pinch, and saute over medium heat until it starts to smell slightly toasted.

Then add about 1 1/2 cups unsweetened plant milk, turn the heat to medium-high, stirring constantly

until thickened.

Vegan sausage gravy for everyone!

Make a vegan mushroom gravy by sauteing 2 to 3 cups of chopped mushrooms, then continue like you would for the vegan sausage version.

More vegan staples you need to try

• Instant Pot Jalapeno Hot Sauce Recipe
• Easy Vegan Parmesan Recipe
• Vegan Instant Pot Bouillon w/out Salt or Oil
• Vegan Chicken Bouillon Powder
• Instant Pot Vegan Yogurt 
• Gluten Free Vegan Sausage Patties
• Instant Pot Almond Milk
• Avocado Cashew Cream Cheese
• Oat Sausage Crumbles
• Homemade Almond Cashew Milk
• Vegan Coconut Bacon