Quick Gluten-Free Mushroom Gravy Recipe
Making mushroom gravy that’s truly gluten-free isn’t hard once you know the basics.
Many people miss out on good gravy because they think it always contains gluten—but that’s not true!
With a few simple swaps, you can create rich, tasty mushroom gravy that everyone can enjoy, even those who can’t eat gluten.
This guide will show you how to make amazing mushroom gravy without any gluten.
You’ll learn what makes regular gravy a problem, which ingredients to watch for, and how to make sure your gravy is safe and tasty every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Mushrooms
| Mushroom Type | Flavor Profile | Used In |
|---|---|---|
| Baby portobello | Rich, meaty taste | Cotter Crunch recipe |
| Cremini | Classic, mild flavor | Most recipes, easy to find |
| Shiitake | Strong, earthy taste | Heather Christo recipe |
Gluten-Free Thickeners
| Thickener | Properties | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free flour blends | Works like regular flour | Traditional gravy texture |
| Cornstarch | Makes smooth gravy | Quick recipes, clear texture |
| Arrowroot powder | Creates glossy finish | Clear, shiny gravy |
Broth and Liquids
| Liquid | Taste Profile | Recipe Example |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetable broth | Light, vegan-friendly | Most vegan recipes |
| Beef broth | Rich, savory taste | One Lovely Life recipe |
| White wine | Slight tang, depth | Cotter Crunch recipe |
Flavor Boosters
| Ingredient | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tamari | Soy sauce alternative | Gluten-free but same taste |
| Garlic | Base flavor | Used in almost all recipes |
| Herbs (sage, thyme) | Fresh notes | Bojon Gourmet uses sage |
| Vegan butter | Adds richness | Just What We Eat uses Earth Balance |
| Olive oil | Base cooking fat | Used in most recipes |
Easy Gluten-Free Mushroom Gravy Recipe
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time | Servings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 minutes | 15 minutes | 20 minutes | 4-6 servings (about 2 cups) |
Step-By-Step Cooking Instructions
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Prepare the mushrooms: Clean and slice 1/2 pound of mushrooms (about 2 cups sliced).
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Heat the pan: Add one tablespoon of olive oil to a large pan over medium heat.
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Cook mushrooms: Add the sliced mushrooms to the hot pan and cook for 5-7 minutes until they turn brown and soft, stirring often.
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Add aromatics: Add 1/2 diced yellow onion and two minced garlic cloves to the pan. Cook for 2-3 more minutes until the onion turns clear.
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Make the base: Add 2 tablespoons of vegan butter to the pan and let it melt.
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Add thickener: Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of gluten-free flour over the mushroom mix. Stir well for 1 minute to cook the flour.
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Add liquid: Slowly pour 1 1/2 cups of vegetable broth while stirring. Keep stirring to stop lumps from forming.
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Season: Add 1 tablespoon tamari, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
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Simmer: Let the gravy bubble gently for 5-10 minutes, stirring now and then until it gets thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
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Taste test: Try the gravy and add more salt or pepper if needed.
Notes for Making It:
Vegan
The recipe above is already vegan when you use:
- Vegetable broth instead of beef broth
- Vegan butter (like Earth Balance) instead of regular butter
- Make sure your gluten-free flour mix doesn’t contain any animal products
Paleo
- Replace the gluten-free flour with 2 tablespoons of arrowroot powder or tapioca starch.
- Skip the vegan butter and use 1 extra tablespoon of olive oil or coconut oil.
- Make sure to use coconut aminos instead of tamari
- Use homemade or paleo-approved broth with no additives
Dairy-Free
- Use olive oil or vegan butter instead of dairy butter
- If you want a creamy gravy without dairy, add 1/4 cup full-fat coconut milk at the end
- Another option is to use 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast for a “cheesy” flavor without dairy
This basic recipe takes about 20 minutes from start to finish and makes enough gravy for 4-6 people. You can keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.
Variations to Try
Creamy Vegan Mushroom Gravy
You can make your gluten-free mushroom gravy creamy without any dairy.
The Bojon Gourmet recipe suggests using coconut cream or a plant-based heavy cream as a great way to add richness. Here’s how:
- Add 1/4 cup coconut cream or cashew cream at the end of cooking
- Stir in 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast for a slightly cheesy taste
- Blend 1/4 of the cooked mushrooms with 1/2 cup of plant milk for a smoother texture
This makes a thick, rich gravy that works well on mashed potatoes or with plant-based meat dishes.
Mushroom Gravy Without Flour
For people who avoid all kinds of flour, you can still make great gravy:
- Use 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water as your thickener
- Try pureeing half of the cooked mushrooms to create a naturally thick base
- Reduce your liquid by half by simmering longer for a thicker sauce without any thickeners
The Gluten Free Homestead recipe shows how to make a thick gravy using just the natural cooking process.
Paleo or Whole30-Friendly Version
Make your mushroom gravy work for paleo or Whole30 diets with these changes:
- Use arrowroot powder instead of gluten-free flour
- Replace soy sauce/tamari with coconut aminos
- Use ghee or olive oil instead of butter
- Add more herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage for flavor
- Make sure your broth has no added sugar or non-allowed items
This clean version still tastes good and follows the strict rules of these eating plans.
Low-Sodium Option
Cut down on salt without losing flavor:
- Use a low-sodium broth
- Skip the tamari/soy sauce, or use just half the amount
- Add 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar for depth without salt
- Use more fresh herbs and black pepper to boost flavor
- Try adding 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika as used in the Cotter Crunch recipe
These small changes can cut the sodium by more than half while keeping all the good mushroom taste.
Serving Suggestions
Gluten-free mushroom gravy goes well with many foods.
Here are some tasty ways to use it:
Mashed Potatoes
The most popular way to enjoy mushroom gravy is over a big scoop of mashed potatoes. The One Lovely Life recipe mentions this as the perfect match.
The creamy potatoes and rich gravy make a filling side dish or main meal.
Try adding:
- Garlic to your mashed potatoes for extra flavor
- A sprinkle of fresh herbs on top
- A mix of regular and sweet potatoes for color and taste
Holiday Roasts
Your gluten-free mushroom gravy works great for holiday meals.
The Cotter Crunch and Heather Christo recipes point out that this gravy is perfect for:
- Turkey dinner
- Vegan holiday roasts
- Ham meals
- Any special meal where you want a tasty gravy option
This gives everyone at the table a safe and tasty gravy choice.
Gravy Over Biscuits or Rice
The Just What We Eat recipe suggests using mushroom gravy in these filling ways:
- Over gluten-free biscuits for breakfast
- On top of rice for a quick meal
- Mixed with pasta for a simple dinner
- As part of a bowl meal with grains and veggies
These options make your gravy work for any meal of the day.
For Chicken, Steak, or Tofu
Make your main dish better with mushroom gravy. Based on search results:
- Spoon it over grilled chicken for added moisture and taste
- Use with steak as a fancy topping (Gluten Free Homestead suggests this)
- Pour over tofu or tempeh for a meaty-tasting vegan meal
- Add to plant-based meat items
The strong mushroom taste works with both meat and plant-based foods.
Final Tips for the Perfect Gravy
How to Prevent Lumps
To make smooth gravy without lumps, always mix your thickener with cold liquid or fat before adding it to the hot mixture.
Add your broth slowly while whisking constantly, and use a whisk instead of a spoon for better mixing.
Keep your heat at medium to low when adding thickeners to prevent cooking too quickly and forming clumps.
When to Add Thickener
Add flour-based thickeners early in the process, right after cooking mushrooms, but before adding any broth.
Mix cornstarch or arrowroot with cold water and add toward the end of cooking.
Make sure to cook flour for 1-2 minutes before adding liquid to remove any raw taste.
Gluten-free flour blends need a slightly longer cooking time (2-3 minutes) to activate properly.
Fixing Consistency
If your gravy is too thin, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water, then stir this mixture into the hot sauce and cook for 1-2 minutes until it thickens.
If the gravy is too thick, add more broth, a few tablespoons at a time, stirring well between additions.
Remember that gluten-free gravy will thicken as it cools, so make it slightly thinner than your desired final consistency.
How to Layer Flavors
For deep, rich flavor, start by browning your mushrooms thoroughly.
If using wine, add it next and let it reduce before adding broth.
For the best flavor, add garlic after the mushrooms have browned.
Incorporate woody herbs like thyme early in cooking and soft herbs like parsley at the end.
A pinch of smoked paprika can add depth, and always let your gravy simmer for 5-10 minutes to allow all the flavors to blend.
Conclusion
Making gluten-free mushroom gravy is simple once you know these basic steps.
With the right ingredients and techniques, you can create a rich, tasty gravy that everyone can enjoy—regardless of if they avoid gluten or not.
The best part is how flexible this recipe can be. You can change the mushrooms, try different thickeners, or add your own favorite flavors.
In just 20 minutes, you can have homemade gravy that’s better than anything from a store.
Have you tried making gluten-free mushroom gravy before?
Share your own tips or questions in the comments below. We’d love to hear how your gravy turned out!
