🍯 Sauces & Condiments

Dairy-Free Gravy Substitutes: Complete Guide

Find the best dairy-free gravy substitutes for lactose-intolerant and vegan cooking. Learn about plant-based milks, broths, and other alternatives with proper ratios and tips.

✓

Quick Answer

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.

Best Substitutes

Broth + Cornstarch

1 cup broth + 2 tbsp cornstarch

Broth with cornstarch is the best dairy-free gravy substitute. It provides similar flavor and texture without dairy products.

Best for:

gravieswhen you want authentic flavordairy-free cookingmost 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

1 cup coconut milk + 2 tbsp flour

Coconut milk with flour is a good dairy-free gravy substitute. It provides creaminess and richness with a slightly sweet, coconut flavor.

Best for:

gravieswhen you want creaminessdairy-free cookingtropical flavor

Heat coconut milk and whisk in flour gradually. Simmer until thickened. This creates a creamy dairy-free gravy with tropical flavor.

Arrowroot Powder

1 tbsp arrowroot = 2 tbsp flour

Arrowroot powder is a good dairy-free gravy substitute. It provides excellent thickening power and creates a clear, glossy sauce without dairy.

Best for:

gravieswhen you want clear saucedairy-free cookingmost 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

1 tbsp tapioca = 2 tbsp flour

Tapioca starch is a good dairy-free gravy substitute. It provides similar thickening power and creates a clear, glossy sauce without dairy.

Best for:

gravieswhen you want clear saucedairy-free cookingmost 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

1 cup almond milk + 2 tbsp flour

Almond milk with flour is a good dairy-free gravy substitute. It provides creaminess and richness with a slightly nutty flavor.

Best for:

gravieswhen you want creaminessdairy-free cookingnutty flavor

Heat almond milk and whisk in flour gradually. Simmer until thickened. This creates a creamy dairy-free gravy with nutty flavor.

Soy Milk + Flour

1 cup soy milk + 2 tbsp flour

Soy milk with flour is a good dairy-free gravy substitute. It provides creaminess and richness with a slightly bean-like flavor.

Best for:

gravieswhen you want creaminessdairy-free cookingbean flavor

Heat soy milk and whisk in flour gradually. Simmer until thickened. This creates a creamy dairy-free gravy with bean flavor.

Cooking 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

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

Find the best dairy-free gravy substitutes for lactose-intolerant and vegan cooking. Learn about plant-based milks, broths, and other alternatives with proper ratios and tips.