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Miso Mushroom Gravy

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This Miso Mushroom Gravy is a rich, creamy, umami bomb!
Using the power of mushrooms and miso this gravy has an ultra-savory depth that cannot be beat. This naturally vegetarian gravy is so flavorful it will win over the hearts of everyone, including those picky meat eaters.

This ultra savory, rich, and creamy gravy is made in under 20 minutes!
This dairy free and meat free gravy is something the whole family will enjoy. With how rich and flavorful it is- it's really something everyone will love!
A black bowl filled with seitan that's covered in gravy
A black bowl filled with seitan that's covered in gravy

Making Mushroom Gravy Vegan

To make this mushroom gravy vegan, use plant-based butter or homemade lobster mushroom oil. I like the flavor Miyokos butter the best, but like the affordability of Earth Balance.

This recipe is also AMAZING with lobster mushroom oil.
Lobster Mushroom Oil is made from infusing wild lobster mushrooms with shallots and garlic in coconut oil. It’s absolutely delicious and works great with the other mushroom flavors. The lobster flavor from the mushrooms does get lost from the flavors of the mushroom gravy. Yet it somehow enhances all the other mushroom flavors in the gravy, making it burst with flavor.

Mushrooms To Use

To make this vegan mushroom gravy recipe, you’ll want a variety of mushrooms. While you can get away with using 8 oz of one kind of mushrooms, you’ll have the best overall flavor using a few. The best tasting combinations are a blend of shiitake, oyster, and maitake!
That being said, this recipe has been made many times over using many different combinations of mushrooms and it’s always consistently delicious.
Use what mushrooms are available to you, including dried. To use dried mushrooms, rehydrate them by soaking them in warm water.

Here are some mushrooms I’ve mixed into this gravy. The more varieties the merrier!

Different mushrooms will flavor the gravy differently- go figure!

Shiitake is the punchiest of the mushrooms and is most flavor packed. They are musty, meaty, and slightly earthy.
Oyster and maitake mushrooms have a lighter, yet meatier flavor. Maitke is also called Hen of the Woods for its hen, poultry like flavor.
Morels have a meaty yet slightly nutty flavor.
Cremli, Button, and Portabella all have an earthy yet slightly metallic flavor. As mentioned earlier they are all the same mushroom, just harvested at different times.
Lions mane has a lighter flavor, with slightly bitter and sea food like notes.
Hedghog mushrooms have a delicate flavor that is slightly nutty, slightly musty flavor.
Chanterelles have a meaty yet apricot and fruity notes in the flavor.

Can I make Mushroom Gravy Without Flour?

This recipe calls for all-purpose flour to help thicken up the texture and add a smoother mouthfeel.
It’s completely optional!
You can skip it altogether; however the mouthfeel is rounder and nicer with something with starch to help thicken it.
A gluten free option would be to substitute corn starch or rice starch. You can also get nice results with casava flour. Do a 1:1 substitution.

Best Misos for Miso Mushroom Gravy

The miso you use will have a large impact on your flavor of gravy. There are many different types of misos, or amnio pastes. The type of miso and the age of your miso will impact the flavor dramatically!

Light Miso is commonly a short, aged soybean mash with koji. It has a slightly sweet yet salty flavor that has a slight umami base. Chickpea miso often has a similarly sweet and salty flavor.

Red Misos are a longer aged miso with more ‘funkiness’ and depth to it. The best way to describe the depth is like smelling the difference between a fresh ricotta vs an aged cheddar. There’s more of a deep, funky, base you can taste at the back of your mouth.

If you live near an international grocery store or are lucky enough to live near a miso maker you have access to more flavors of miso! There are misos made from red lentils, from black beans, butter beans, really any low-fat legume!

The different types of misos are notable because combining different varieties of miso together helps add different layers of depth to your gravy. For example, you could mix together a blend of light and red miso together to get a funky yet slightly sweet result. To get a ‘meatier’ or more intense flavor, stick with red miso, for a sweeter and lighter result stick with a light miso.

For a deeper darker gravy that is almost like steak sauce use a red miso with shiitake mushrooms.
For a lighter, sweeter, and more herbal tasting gravy use a light miso with oyster mushrooms.


H Mart, Uwajimaya, and health food grocery stores often have the best selection of misos. If you live in or around Seattle you need to try Symbiotic Cultures at the Ballard Farmers Market (Sundays, as of 2023). I mention this vendor because I’m personally obsessed with her small batch misos and shoyus and she’s inspired me to start making my own at home! Working with koji is a whole rabbit whole of culinary exploration.

Is Mushroom Gravy Bad For Dogs?

We love our dogs, but do not share this gravy with your dogs!
The shallots, white wine, and garlic are all bad for your dog’s health.

You can always make a special batch of ‘puppy gravy’ where you make this recipe with alterations!
To make this recipe dog friendly skip the shallot, garlic, and wine.
Replace the mushroom/vegetable broth (high in sodium and might contain onions) with soy milk, or milk of choice.
All of the other ingredients like mushrooms and miso are very healthy for your dog!
Share in moderation so they can enjoy a balanced diet.

Ways To Use Mushroom Gravy

There are many ways to use this vegan mushroom gravy recipe, it’s a fall and winter favorite! While the most popular uses are to top over holiday foods, don’t let that stop you from pouring it over your waffles for breakfast!

  • Seitan Turkey Roast is a washed flour seitan recipe with a crispy skin, shreddy layers, and tastes just like turkey. It is the perfect Thanksgiving main and is fantastic with this mushroom gravy!
  • Flour Washed Seitan also has meaty layers and is a chicken style seitan. When topped with the miso mushroom gravy it is next level comfort food! This chicken style seitan recipe is perfect for the holidays or your Sunday Roast!
  • Crispy Rosemary Potatoes smothered in mushroom gravy is as classic of a combination as bread and butter.
  • A healthier option to pair with this miso mushroom gravy is air fried brussels sprouts! Crispy roasted vegetables is a lovely pair to creamy gravy.
  • Wild Rice Stuffing is Northern American fall favorite that is best served with this miso mushroom gravy! This wild rice stuffing recipe is a traditional Minnesotan Thanksgiving recipe that has been veganized for the masses.
seitan covered in gravy in a black bowl on a wooden table
A black bowl filled with seitan that's covered in gravy

Miso Mushroom Gravy

This ultra savory, rich, and creamy gravy is made in under 20 minutes!
This dairy free and meat free gravy is something the whole family will enjoy. With how rich and flavorful it is- it's really something everyone will love!
Print Recipe
CourseSide Dish, Sides, Vegan Staples
CuisineAmerican
Prep Time3 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Servings6
Calories140kcal

Equipment

  • Blender a high speed blender, a food processor, or a handheld immersion blender all work here

Ingredients

  • 8 oz Mushrooms Fresh Assorted Mushrooms like Oyster, Maitake, Shiitake, Wine Caps, or Cremini
  • ½ tbs Mushroom Seasoning Optional
  • 1 large Shallot Roughly 3-4 tbs minced
  • 3 cloves Garlic
  • 2 tbs White Wine or 1/2 tbs of white wine vinegar
  • 1 cup Unsweetened Soy Milk or milk of choice
  • 4 tbs All Purpose Flour or gf flour of choice
  • 4 tbs Butter or Lobster Mushroom Oil
  • 2 cups Mushroom Broth Vegetable, or Vegetarian Chicken Broth works here too
  • 2 tbs Sage
  • 1 tbs Rosemary
  • 2 tbs Miso Variety of choice, lighter varieties will have a sweeter flavor, where darker varieties like red or barley will have a deeper flavor

Instructions

  • Preheat a saucepan on medium heat
    Mince mushrooms, shallot, and crush and mince the garlic.
    Add oil to the preheated pan and add the minced mixture to the pan, add the mushroom seasoning if using
    Sauté for 7-10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking
    Add in the wine vinegar, let it evaporate and cook for another 3-5 minutes
    Add the cooked mixture to a blender and set aside
  • Reduce the heat to low medium and add the butter to the saucepan
    Add the flour and milk
    Whisk together, then add the vegetable broth.
    Whisk to remove lumps
    Remove from heat and let cool for 1 minute
    Pour into the blender
  • Add your fresh sage, rosemary, and miso to the blender. Blend on high for 2-3 minutes or until completely smooth
  • Serve immediately and use within 1 week in the refrigerator, or within 3 months in the freezer

Notes

Have multiple types of miso? The benefit of using multiple kinds of miso is that it adds a further layer of flavor. Try adding a few kinds! 
If you made a batch of seitan, reuse the broth from simmering the seitan to make your gravy!
If you are using the broth from the seitan turkey roast include the shiitake mushrooms and onions that the seitan simmered in. Your gravy will be slightly thicker but the flavor is insane! Give it a try!

Nutrition

Calories: 140kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 877mg | Potassium: 259mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 333IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 95mg | Iron: 6mg

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By on October 11th, 2023

About Jessica Flowers

Jess Flowers is a multimedia specialist who creates vegan recipes using local and wild ingredients. Being plant based for over a decade, it is her mission to share delicious recipes that are made without animal products!

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