This Vegetarian Onion Gravy is made with golden caramelized onions! It’s rich and packed with flavor, with a hint of sweetness. Pair it with some fluffy mashed potatoes for the perfect Holiday combo! Naturally Gluten-Free.
Vegetarian Onion Gravy
Hey guys!
Today I’m sharing with you this Vegetarian Onion Gravy recipe!
This onion gravy is made with caramelized onions which means it’s rich and flavorful with a hint of sweetness. The onions are sliced and caramelized in a skillet and then pureed and simmered for extra flavor and a thicker consistency.
It works just like regular gravy so you can pair it with mashed potatoes, biscuits, meatballs, egg noodles, or add even add it to a soup!
What is Vegetarian Gravy made of?
Generally, vegetarian gravy is made with sauteed or caramelized veggies (such as onions, mushrooms, etc) and broth. The sauce is then thickened with the help of butter and flour (a “roux”).
This specific Onion Gravy is made with caramelized yellow onions and vegetable broth and thickened with cornstarch. I skipped the roux and simply relied on cornstarch as it works amazing, saves you 5 minutes, and makes this gravy Gluten Free! 🙂
Ingredients for Onion Gravy
- Olive oil. You’ll need this to caramelize the onions. I don’t recommend using other oils as olive oil adds extra flavor to the gravy.
- Yellow onions. Thinly sliced. I suppose you could also make this with red onions but the flavor would be different. I personally haven’t tested it so I can’t provide adjustments.
- Brown sugar. I used Muscovado sugar (this one) which is very soft, moist, and rich (not to mention unrefined). You can totally use regular brown sugar or even white sugar if that’s all you have on hand, but I do recommend brown sugar for a deeper flavor.
- Vegetable broth. I recommend low-sodium so you can have more control over the amount of salt used. Depending on the broth you use and the ingredients contained, the gravy may slightly vary in flavor and color so make sure you use a trusted brand that you love.
- Butter. I recommend unsalted.
- Bay leaf or ground bay leaves.
- Salt and pepper.
- Cornstarch. To thicken the gravy.
- Balsamic vinegar. I have tested this recipe without balsamic vinegar as well and while it’s still good, I recommend adding it for extra flavor and deeper color.
How do you make vegetarian onion gravy from scratch?
- Caramelize the onions. Heat the oil in a large saucepan, once it’s hot, add in the onions, sprinkle with sugar and cook until caramelized and golden.
- Puree the onions. Using a food processor or an immersion blender, puree the onions and part of the broth until smooth.
- Simmer the gravy. Add the pureed onions back to the saucepan. Add in the butter, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Dissolve the cornstarch in the remaining broth, then pour it into the saucepan and mix. Simmer until thickened, stirring often. Turn off the heat, stir in the balsamic vinegar, and serve.
Can I make onion gravy in advance?
Yes. You can caramelize and even puree the onions up to 2 days ahead of time and store them in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
How long can you store gravy in the fridge?
I recommend storing onion gravy in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
You can also freeze gravy for up to 6 months.
How do you reheat gravy?
Transfer the gravy to a saucepan and place it over low heat. Cook until fully heated through and steaming (165 F). Stir often to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the saucepan.
I recommend using a kitchen thermometer (I like this one) to make sure the gravy has reached a safe temperature.
What tastes good with gravy?
- Southern Mashed Potatoes
- Buttermilk biscuits
- Egg noodles
- Soup
- Scrambled eggs
- Ravioli
- Fries
- Poutine
- Sauteed or roasted mushrooms
- Dinner rolls or English muffins
- Meat (meatballs, meatloaf, chicken, pork chops, hamburgers)
HAPPY COOKING!! I hope you’ll love this Caramelized Onion Gravy Recipe as much as I do!
PS: Please leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating ⭐️ if you make it! Your comments make my day!! You can also tag me on Instagram @itsdamnspicy 🌈💘
Still Hungry? You may also like:
- Brie Mac n Cheese
- The Best Smoked Green Beans
- Gnocchi Gorgonzola (3 Ingredient Recipe)
- Autumn Corn Chowder with Roasted Pumpkin
Vegetarian Onion Gravy
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon dark brown sugar or brown or white sugar
- 2 cups (500 ml) low-sodium vegetable broth divided
- 2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 3 tbsp (42 g) unsalted butter
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Caramelize the onions. Add the olive oil to a large saucepan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the onions and sugar, and mix. Sautee for 35-40 minutes or until the onions are golden and caramelized, stirring frequently. You may need to reduce the heat to medium-low or low if the onions are browning too fast.
- Puree the onions. Add the sauteed onions and 1 cup (250 ml) of broth to a food processor. Puree until mostly smooth. If you don't have a food processor, you can add the ingredients to a medium bowl and use an immersion blender to puree the onions.
- Simmer the gravy. Add the pureed onion mixture back to the saucepan. Place the saucepan over medium heat and add in the butter, bay leaf, thyme salt, and pepper. Stir. While the gravy is cooking, dissolve the cornstarch in the remaining broth, then pour it into the saucepan and mix until combined. Bring to a simmer and simmer for 5-10 minutes or until thickened, stirring often. Turn off the heat, stir in the balsamic vinegar, and serve.
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