Does Gravy Contain Meat? Exploring Traditional and Modern Gravy Recipes

November 9, 2025 •

2 min read

Gravy is traditionally made from meat drippings. However, the modern answer to the question, "Does gravy contain meat?" is more complex, as many recipes and store-bought options are meat-free.

Quick Summary

Gravy can use meat drippings or it can be meat-free, with ingredients like vegetable stock and mushrooms. This article explores both types.

Key Points

Traditional gravy is made with meat drippings.
Vegetarian and vegan gravy are meat-free.
The base of gravy differs: meat drippings versus vegetable stock.
Check store-bought gravy labels for meat ingredients.
Meat-free gravy uses ingredients like mushrooms for flavor.
Roux is often used to thicken both types of gravy.

Traditional Gravy: The Meat-Based Classic

Traditional gravy is a savory sauce made from the juices left over after cooking meat. The classic preparation often involves the following steps: deglazing the roasting pan, mixing the meat juices with a fat and flour mixture, and thickening it with stock or water. This method is fundamental for brown gravy and other classic pan sauces, which inherently contain meat products.

Ingredients in Traditional Gravy

The main ingredients are typically:

Meat Drippings: The foundation, providing the rich, meaty flavor.
Fat: Usually from the meat itself, or butter.
Flour: Used as a thickening agent.
Stock or Water: Used to adjust consistency and flavor.
Seasonings: Salt, pepper, herbs, and other spices to enhance flavor.

Vegetarian and Vegan Gravy: Meat-Free Options

With changing dietary preferences, gravy has evolved to include meat-free versions. These versions provide the same rich, savory flavor without using any meat.

How Vegetarian and Vegan Gravy Is Made

These gravies use plant-based liquids and ingredients to build their flavor: common components include:

Vegetable Stock: A base for many meatless gravies.
Mushrooms: A choice for their earthy flavor and rich texture.
Onions and Garlic: Sautéing aromatics is a step to building flavor.
Soy Sauce or Miso Paste: These add depth of flavor and umami.
Herbs and Spices: Thyme, sage, and rosemary are often used.

These ingredients are combined with a thickener, usually a roux made from oil or vegan butter and flour, to achieve the desired consistency.

Comparing Gravy Types


Feature	Traditional Gravy	Vegetarian/Vegan Gravy
Base	Meat drippings.	Vegetable stock or mushroom broth.
Flavor	Rich, meaty.	Earthy, umami-rich, savory.
Fat Source	Animal fat or butter.	Vegetable oil or vegan butter.
Thickener	Flour with fat.	Flour, or cornstarch.
Dietary Suitability	Not for vegetarian or vegan diets.	Suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets.

Store-Bought Gravy: Read the Label

Many instant gravy mixes contain meat-derived products like chicken fat, powdered turkey, or beef flavoring. It is important to check the ingredient list to ensure they are meat-free. Many brands offer specifically labeled vegetarian and vegan versions.

Conclusion

Whether gravy contains meat depends on the recipe. Traditional gravy uses meat drippings, but vegetarian and vegan options use plant-based ingredients. Always read the label of store-bought gravies. Consider this Wikipedia entry on Gravy for additional information.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. While traditional gravy uses meat drippings, many recipes use vegetable stock and other plant-based ingredients for vegetarian and vegan versions.

Vegetarians can make gravy with vegetable stock, mushrooms, and herbs. These ingredients are combined with a thickener like a roux.

Brown gravy is traditionally made from meat drippings, flour, and stock.

Yes, many stores sell vegetarian and vegan gravies. Check the ingredients list.

Make flavorful meat-free gravy by using mushrooms, soy sauce, and herbs.

Yes, other types of gravy include white gravy, mushroom gravy, and giblet gravy.

A roux is a mixture of fat and flour, used as a thickener in gravies.