This easy vegan onion mushroom gravy is simple to make, uses one pot, and takes less than 20 minutes to make.
Oh No! Onion Mushroom Gravy! Stat!
I’ve never been accused of being organized. There’s always something. But, in the end, it always works out. I’d made the vegan roast, and the rice stuffing with yummy fruit, and the chocolate sweet potato pie was chilling in the fridge. Oh no. No gravy! With about 20 minutes to spare, I threw this gravy together with what we had on hand. It was delicious and perfect with the best mashed potatoes, ever.
Onions
Mmm, sweetly savory caramelized onions. They add so much flavor to this. I used a mix of red and white onions because that’s what I had and I liked the mix of the two.
To carmelized the onions for this recipe, you need a little oil and a bit of patience. I was in a hurry, so rushed this process a bit, but take it as slow as you can. Also, I add the mushrooms halfway through.
To Caramelize Onions
Start with 2 large onions, thinly sliced. Add two tablespoons oil to a large saucepan and heat it to sizzling. Add the onions a handful at a time, sauteing each addition until wilted and translucent. This will take just a minute or two. Put in a large pinch of salt.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and gently saute for 10 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. They’ll be golden and translucent and have lost most of their shape by the time they’re finished. But oh are they tasty!
*If adding shallots, which I did, add them halfway through as they’re less sturdy than their onion cousins.
Shallots
What the hell are shallots? I like to think of them as pretty, smaller onions. They’re related to the rest of the Allium family but are just a little more attractive and delicately delicious.
Seriously. They’re like an onion, but just a bit less overpowering, not quite as abrasive. Gentler. They also have a slight garlic undertone that’s lovely.
Add them if you have them. But don’t sweat it if you don’t.
Mushrooms
Baby portobellas are delicious, but white button mushrooms are equally so and will go just as well here.
Only have canned mushrooms? Those are also good for this gravy. I cannot lie. I used a can of mushrooms that my boyfriend’s mom had left over from making the vegan green bean casserole. I’m not too proud. Baby portabellas would have been lovely, though!
Add the mushrooms to the pot the onions are cooking in about halfway through. Cook everything together, on medium heat, until the onions are very soft, golden, and almost gooey and the mushrooms have slightly browned and are tender.
Thickeners for Gravy
Cornstarch or flour are the most common ingredients used to thicken gravy. Cornstarch will make a more translucent gravy while flour will leave it more white and opaque. I used cornstarch here.
Lump-Free Gravy
One crucial element of making lump-free gravy with cornstarch as a thickener is to dissolve it completely in cold water before adding it to the pot.
Vegetable broth mostly comes in two flavors … a yellow one that’s like “chicken” and a brown one that’s more like “beef.” I’ve used the brown one here because it has a mushroom base and really went well with this.
Broths can usually be found in shelf-stable boxes in the soups aisle.
Onion Mushroom Vegan Gravy
Onion mushroom vegan gravy. Easy to make in less than 20 minutes in one pot with commonly available ingredients. Onions, shallots, and mushrooms. Oh my!
Ingredients
Instructions
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In a heavy, large saucepan, gently saute the onions and shallots for 5-10 minutes.
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Add the mushrooms and continue to cook them for another 5-10 minutes, until the onions are golden and translucent and the mushrooms are lightly browned and tender.
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Add the vegetable broth, salt, and pepper. Turn up the heat to medium-high and bring to a gentle simmer.
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Make a slurry with the water and cornstarch. Mix together until the cornstarch is completely dissolved. Pour into the gravy.
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Stir and simmer for a minute or two until thickened.
Hello! I’m Lisa, a vegan artist, photographer, author, Vegan Life Coach Educator, and RYT 200 yoga teacher. I love showing others how simple and delicious a plant-based diet can be. I draw and paint, cook, write, take lots of pics, eat lots of chocolate, and practice gratitude daily.