An easy, delicious vegetarian gravy recipe for the perfect Thanksgiving meal with vegan and gluten-free options.

With the people in the USA gearing up for thanksgiving, I thought it would be a fun time to try this gravy recipe out for myself.
The French know it as Roux. This tasty condiment is drizzled on mashed potatoes or roast. How about some delicious Eggless Pumpkin Bread Recipe on the side?
Quick and easy to make, gravy is an easy way to make a home-cooked meal from just okay, to incredible!
Try it for yourself, I can totally vouch for it. You can make it vegan too check out the tips.
Contents:
- Gravy and me
- Why make the MSK Vegetarian Gravy Recipe for Thanksgiving?
- How to make Vegetarian Thanksgiving Gravy Recipe
- For Your Questions
- Some vegetarian recipes you will love for Thanksgiving
- Recipe Card
- Pin for later
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Gravy and me:
When I told my daughter I am making mashed potatoes she was thrilled and insisted I make the gravy too. I believe her words were, “You will like the mashed potatoes with gravy.”
She wasn't wrong.
Typically, gravy is made from turkey drippings. As a vegetarian cook, the trick was to adapt it to my tastes and pantry.
Why make the MSK Vegetarian Gravy Recipe for Thanksgiving?
The reasons to make this delicious gravy are simple
- Delicious
- Easy
- Quick
- Use pantry ingredients
- can be made vegan
- Make more or less as needed
- My non-vegetarains friends too made a beeline for this gravy.
How to make Vegetarian Thanksgiving Gravy Recipe
Ingredients:
So let us check on the ingredients for vegetarian gravy. For exact measures please check the recipe card.
- Butter
- Onion
- Garlic
- Whole wheat flour
- Soy sauce
- Milk
- Dried sage
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
Substitutes and alternatives:
- You can add finely chopped mushrooms the Unami flavours will be amazing.
- Whole wheat flour, yes your regular chakki ka atta replace it with all-purpose flour.
- For a Vegan version,
- use extra virgin olive oil(EVO) in place of butter.
- Use water or vegetable stock in place of milk.
- For a gluten-free version,
- use cornflour but the amount needed will be about 3 tablespoons and do not stir-fry it.
- Dissolve some the cornstarch in ¼ cup milk, once the onions are done add all the milk to the wok and let it come to a boil.
- Now, on lower the flame, stir the ¼ cup cornflour slurry then add to the wok. Stir constantly.
Method of making Vegetarian Gravy:
- Saute' the onions.
- Add the flour and make the roux with the onions.
- Add the milk gradually (initially)and make the gravy.
- Season with salt, pepper and some soya sauce.
- Serve immediately.
How to serve Gravy:
- Dish up the mashed potatoes and then drizzle with the gravy.
- Dish it with Pressure Cooked Boiled Vegetables~Sinfully Rich.
- How about some Boiled Vegetables, Boiled Cauliflower for BM #24.
- As a side to Cauliflower Cheese with Walnuts and Bread Crumbs.
- or with Easy Vegetarian Casserole Recipe.
Storage:
- I will not recommend storaging the gravy, especially the one made with milk. If you must store in the fridge and use up in a day.
- You can however saute the onions and flour and keep ready for a day or two. When needed just make the gravy.
For Your Questions:
Pro tips:
- If you have a big buffet then I recommend sauting the onions and flour. Set aside and make the gravy as needed.
- When you are adding milk to make the gravy add a little milk, whisk then add more.
- If your cooked gravy thicken up (it does very quickly) loosen it up by warming it in a pan on low flame.
- If even after this the gravy is thick add some more milk or broth. A little, you can always add more liquids if needed as we do not want a runny gravy.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What is gravy that is served with a Thanksgiving meal?
For me, gravy is the liquid portion of any curry in which you soak your roti, paratha, naan, bread and so on and so forth.
-
Can I make this Vegetarian Thanksgiving Gravy, Vegan?
Yes, use oil to saute the onions and then use broth to make the gravy. But gravy as I understand now in the western world is a roux. A meat stock that is thickened with flour and butter and flavoured with the drippings of meat.
-
Can I make vegetarian gravy gluten-free?
Yes, definitely use corn starch to make your gravy.
Some vegetarian recipes you will love for Thanksgiving:
Recipe Card:

Vegetarian Gravy Recipe for Thanksgiving
Equipment
- Kadhai/wok
- Spoons and Ladles
- whisk
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoon butter
- 1 onion finely chopped
- ¼ cup flour
- 3 cups milk
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce optional
- Black pepper freshly ground to taste
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- In a pan over low heat, melt the butter add the onions and a pinch of salt.
- Saute the onions on low flame. The onions should be translucent and soft.
- Next, add the flour and saute stirring continuously, till colour changes to a slight golden brown and you get a lovely aroma.
- Add the milk a little at a time initially. Stirring constantly.
- Once the milk is incorporated add more milk.
- The gravy will thicken add the soya sauce, salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately.
Video

Notes
- You can add finely chopped mushrooms the Unami flavours will be amazing.
- Whole wheat flour, yes your regular chakki ka atta replace it with all-purpose flour.
- For a Vegan, version
- use extra virgin olive oil(EVO) in place of butter.
- Use water or vegetable stock in place of milk.
- For a gluten-free version,
- use cornflour but the amount needed will be about 3 tablespoons and do not stir-fry it.
- Dissolve some of the corn starch in ¼ cup milk, once the onions are done add all the milk to the wok and let it come to a boil.
- Now, on lower the flame, stir the ¼ cup cornflour slurry then add to the wok. Stir constantly.
- If you have a big buffet then I recommend sautéing the onions and flour. Set aside and make the gravy as needed.
- When you are adding milk to make the gravy add a little milk, whisk then add more.
- If your cooked gravy thicken up (it does very quickly) loosen it up by warming it in a pan on low flame.
- If even after this the gravy is thick add some more milk or broth. A little, you can always add more liquids if needed as we do not want a runny gravy.
Featured Video:

Pin for later:

Priya Vj says
Loved this vegetarian thanks giving gravy .learnt a new recipe today .can't wait to try out the delicious flavors .
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 Thanks.
Amrita Roy says
This kind of vegetarian gravy comes handy especially during festive occasions. I also love the suggestion of turning this into gluten free and vegan.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Amrita.
Jayashree T.Rao says
This gravy is easy to make with a few ingredients. Loved this easy to make dish.It will be ideal for my weekend menu.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Jayashree.
Seema says
This is a very simple yet delicious gravy. This was perfect with a lovely basic vegan roast.
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 thanks.
Mayuri Patel says
I can imagine serving this vegetarian gravy over baked or sautéed vegetables. Adding mushrooms to it is a wonderful idea for that umami taste and texture too.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Mayuri.
Preethi Prasad says
This thanksgiving vegetarian curry sounds so finger licking good. I am so intrigued to try it soon. Such amazing flavours in this curry.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Preethi.