Out of Gravy, one case
Dairy-free gravy substitutes
6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Broth + cornstarch
1 cup broth + 2 tbsp cornstarch
The best dairy-free gravy substitutes are broth + cornstarch (1 cup broth + 2 tbsp cornstarch), coconut milk + flour (1 cup coconut milk + 2 tbsp flour), or arrowroot powder (1 tbsp = 2 tbsp flour). Broth provides the most authentic flavor.
- Verdict —
- Works
- Best for —
- gravies
One casethe full gravy card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of gravy |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Broth + cornstarchgravies | 1 cup broth + 2 tbsp cornstarchWorks |
| 2 | Coconut milk + flourgravies | 1 cup coconut milk + 2 tbsp flour |
| 3 | Arrowroot powdergravies | 1 tbsp arrowroot per 2 tbsp flour |
| 4 | Tapioca starchgravies | 1 tbsp tapioca per 2 tbsp flour |
| 5 | Almond milk + flourgravies | 1 cup almond milk + 2 tbsp flour |
| 6 | Soy milk + flourgravies | 1 cup soy milk + 2 tbsp flour |
Broth + cornstarch
similar taste and texture
Broth with cornstarch is the best dairy-free gravy substitute. It provides similar flavor and texture without dairy products.
- Best for
- gravies, when you want authentic flavor, dairy-free cooking, most applications
Use any type of broth (chicken, beef, or vegetable) and thicken with cornstarch. Mix cornstarch with cold water first, then add to hot liquid. Simmer until thickened.
Coconut milk + flour
coconut
Coconut milk with flour is a good dairy-free gravy substitute. It provides creaminess and richness with a slightly sweet, coconut flavor.
- Best for
- gravies, when you want creaminess, dairy-free cooking, tropical flavor
- Texture
- creamy
Heat coconut milk and whisk in flour gradually. Simmer until thickened. This creates a creamy dairy-free gravy with tropical flavor.
Arrowroot powder
neutral taste, clear texture
Arrowroot powder is a good dairy-free gravy substitute. It provides excellent thickening power and creates a clear, glossy sauce without dairy.
- Best for
- gravies, when you want clear sauce, dairy-free cooking, most applications
Mix arrowroot with cold water first, then add to hot liquid. Simmer until thickened and clear. Arrowroot provides 2x the thickening power of flour.
Tapioca starch
neutral taste, clear texture
Tapioca starch is a good dairy-free gravy substitute. It provides similar thickening power and creates a clear, glossy sauce without dairy.
- Best for
- gravies, when you want clear sauce, dairy-free cooking, most applications
Mix tapioca starch with cold water first, then add to hot liquid. Simmer until thickened and clear. Tapioca provides 2x the thickening power of flour.
Almond milk + flour
nutty
Almond milk with flour is a good dairy-free gravy substitute. It provides creaminess and richness with a slightly nutty flavor.
- Best for
- gravies, when you want creaminess, dairy-free cooking, nutty flavor
- Texture
- creamy
Heat almond milk and whisk in flour gradually. Simmer until thickened. This creates a creamy dairy-free gravy with nutty flavor.
Soy milk + flour
bean
Soy milk with flour is a good dairy-free gravy substitute. It provides creaminess and richness with a slightly bean-like flavor.
- Best for
- gravies, when you want creaminess, dairy-free cooking, bean flavor
- Texture
- creamy
Heat soy milk and whisk in flour gradually. Simmer until thickened. This creates a creamy dairy-free gravy with bean flavor.
How it behaves in this recipe
Dairy-free gravy substitutes provide similar texture and flavor to traditional gravy without dairy products. The key is using plant-based ingredients that provide creaminess and proper thickening. When substituting, consider whether you want similar flavor (broth), creaminess (plant-based milks), or clear texture (arrowroot).
Tips for substituting gravy
7 tips- Broth provides the most authentic dairy-free gravy flavor
- Coconut milk adds creaminess with tropical flavor
- Arrowroot powder provides the most similar thickening power to flour
- Tapioca starch creates clear, glossy gravy
- Almond milk adds creaminess with nutty flavor
- Soy milk adds creaminess with bean flavor
- Store dairy-free thickeners in a cool, dry place
Notes on gravy
- For a completely different approach, try using other plant-based ingredients like cashew cream or oat milk
- In some applications, you could use a combination of different plant-based ingredients for layered flavor
- For natural options, consider using pureed vegetables or nut butters
Questions
7 questionsWhat's the best dairy-free gravy substitute?
Broth + cornstarch (1 cup broth + 2 tbsp cornstarch) is the best dairy-free gravy substitute. Coconut milk + flour (1 cup coconut milk + 2 tbsp flour) provides creaminess, while arrowroot powder (1 tbsp = 2 tbsp flour) offers clear texture.
Can I use coconut milk instead of dairy milk in gravy?
Yes, coconut milk is an excellent dairy-free substitute for dairy milk in gravy. Use 1 cup coconut milk with 2 tbsp flour to create a creamy gravy with tropical flavor.
How much coconut milk equals 1 cup dairy milk in gravy?
Use 1 cup coconut milk for every 1 cup dairy milk. Coconut milk provides similar creaminess and richness with a slightly sweet, coconut flavor.
What's the difference between dairy milk and coconut milk in gravy?
Dairy milk creates a neutral-flavored gravy, while coconut milk creates a slightly sweet, coconut-flavored gravy. Both provide creaminess and richness, but coconut milk is dairy-free.
Can I use arrowroot instead of flour in dairy-free gravy?
Yes, arrowroot powder is an excellent dairy-free substitute for flour in gravy. Use 1 tablespoon arrowroot for every 2 tablespoons flour. Mix with cold water first, then add to hot liquid.
Why use dairy-free gravy substitutes?
Dairy-free gravy substitutes are necessary for people with lactose intolerance, dairy allergies, or vegan diets. They provide similar texture and flavor without dairy products.
Can I make gravy without dairy milk?
Yes, you can make gravy without dairy milk by using plant-based milks like coconut milk, almond milk, or soy milk. You can also use broth with thickeners for a completely dairy-free option.