Mushroom Gravy Recipe

This simple browning trick gives your mushroom gravy a deep, steakhouse-style flavor — without needing any meat drippings.

This rich and savory mushroom gravy recipe is the kind of cozy, reliable sauce you’ll want on repeat all season long. It’s perfect for mashed potatoes, roasted meats, weeknight skillet dinners, and holiday feasts. The flavor comes from deeply browned mushrooms, a touch of butter, and a silky broth-based sauce that thickens beautifully without feeling heavy. If you’re planning your Thanksgiving menu, pair this gravy with sides like Thanksgiving side dishes for a complete comfort-food spread.

The secret? Let the mushrooms brown until they stick just slightly to the pan, then deglaze with a splash of broth — it unlocks a deeper, richer flavor in seconds.

Top-down view of mushroom gravy spooned over mashed potatoes

Why You’ll Love It

  • Deep flavor: Browning mushrooms adds a hearty, earthy taste without needing meat drippings.
  • Easy: Ready in about 20 minutes using simple pantry ingredients.
  • Flexible: Works with chicken broth, beef broth, or veggie broth.
  • Perfect for holidays: A great make-ahead sauce to serve with turkey, mashed potatoes, or stuffing.

Ingredients

  • 8 oz mushrooms, sliced (cremini or white button)
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt (more to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme or 1/4 tsp dried thyme
Extreme macro: melting cheddar, tender chicken, and crisp broccoli in creamy soup.

Instructions

  1. Sauté the mushrooms. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and cook 7–9 minutes until they develop deep brown edges and begin to stick slightly to the bottom — this is where the flavor builds.
  2. Deglaze: Add 1–2 tablespoons of broth to loosen the browned bits on the bottom of the pan — this boosts flavor before adding the onion.
  3. Add the aromatics. Stir in onion and cook 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
  4. Make a roux. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
  5. Add broth. Slowly pour in the remaining broth while whisking to avoid lumps.
  6. Simmer. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook 5–7 minutes until thickened to your liking.
  7. Adjust and serve. Taste and add extra seasoning if needed. Serve warm over mashed potatoes, roasted meats, or stuffing.

Tips & Variations

  • Chef’s Secret: For the deepest flavor, let the mushrooms brown until they stick a little, then deglaze with a splash of broth to lift all the caramelized bits.
  • For extra richness: Add 1 tbsp cream at the end.
  • For a smoother gravy: Blend half the mixture before returning it to the skillet.
  • For deeper flavor: Use beef broth instead of chicken broth.
  • For a holiday dinner: Pair with classic green bean casserole and cranberry stuffing balls.

Substitutions

  • Gluten-free: Use a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch slurry.
  • Dairy-free: Replace butter with olive oil.
  • No mushrooms: Swap in caramelized onions for a sweet, savory twist.

Serving Suggestions

This mushroom gravy recipe pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, roasted chicken, turkey breast, pork chops, or veggie patties. It also elevates casseroles like tater tot casserole and skillet meals such as creamy beef skillet.

Storage & Reheating

  • Refrigerator: Store sealed for up to 4 days.
  • Freezer: Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
  • Reheat: Warm in a saucepan over low heat with a splash of broth to loosen.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead?

Yes! It reheats beautifully and thickens slightly, so add a splash of broth when warming.

Can I use canned mushrooms?

Fresh mushrooms give the best flavor, but drained canned mushrooms work in a pinch.

Can I double it?

Absolutely — just use a larger pan so the mushrooms brown instead of steam.

More to Try

Conclusion

This mushroom gravy recipe brings comforting flavor to any meal, from holiday spreads to everyday dinners. With a short ingredient list and a quick cooking time, it’s a sauce you’ll come back to often. Keep it simple or customize it with your favorite twists — either way, it’s a warm and satisfying addition to your table.

Print
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Rich mushroom gravy recipe with sautéed mushrooms in a ceramic bowl

Mushroom Gravy Recipe


  • Author: Sarah
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This rich and savory mushroom gravy delivers deep, steakhouse-style flavor using a simple browning trick—no meat drippings needed. Perfect for mashed potatoes, turkey, pork chops, and weeknight dinners.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz mushrooms, sliced (cremini or white button)
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt (more to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme or 1/4 tsp dried thyme

Instructions

  1. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and cook 7–9 minutes until deeply browned and slightly stuck to the pan.
  2. Add 1–2 tbsp of broth to deglaze and loosen browned bits.
  3. Stir in onion and cook 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
  4. Sprinkle flour over vegetables. Stir 1 minute to remove raw taste.
  5. Slowly whisk in remaining broth to avoid lumps.
  6. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook 5–7 minutes until thickened.
  7. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning as needed. Serve warm.

Notes

For the richest flavor, brown the mushrooms until they stick slightly, then deglaze with broth to lift the flavor-packed bits. For extra depth, use beef broth or add a splash of cream at the end.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Sauce
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Comfort Food

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/4 cup
  • Calories: 90
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 350mg
  • Fat: 6g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 6g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: mushroom gravy, vegetarian gravy, steakhouse sauce, mashed potatoes, thanksgiving sauce

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