Your Cool Home is supported by its readers. Please assume all links are affiliate links. If you purchase something from one of our links, we make a small commission from Amazon. Thank you!
Yes, you can make gravy with unsweetened almond milk, and it works surprisingly well as a dairy-free base for pan gravies, country gravy, and even holiday-style sauces.
It won’t taste exactly like whole milk or cream, but unsweetened almond milk can absolutely make gravy if you handle it correctly.
If you’ve been asking “can you make gravy with unsweetened almond milk?” because you’re out of dairy or cooking plant-based, the short answer is a confident yes.
In this post, we’ll go over why unsweetened almond milk works for gravy, how to make gravy with almond milk step by step, and what to tweak so your gravy turns out smooth and flavorful every time.
Let’s get into it.
Why You Can Make Gravy With Unsweetened Almond Milk
You can make gravy with unsweetened almond milk, and here’s why:
1. Unsweetened Almond Milk Has a Neutral Flavor
The main reason you can make gravy with unsweetened almond milk is its neutral, slightly nutty taste.
Unlike sweetened or vanilla-flavored almond milk, the unsweetened version won’t clash with savory flavors like broth, butter, or pan drippings.
That neutrality is why almond milk gravy tastes close enough to traditional milk gravy that most people won’t notice the swap.
2. It Thickens Just Fine With Flour or Cornstarch
Gravy gets its body from a starch slurry, not from the milk itself.
When you whisk flour or cornstarch into unsweetened almond milk and heat it, the starch granules swell and thicken the liquid.
That’s why making gravy with unsweetened almond milk works exactly like making it with dairy milk.
3. Almond Milk Gravy Is Naturally Dairy-Free
If you’re lactose intolerant or cooking for someone who avoids dairy, almond milk gravy is a great fit.
Unsweetened almond milk is plant-based, so you can make gravy with it and keep the whole dish dairy-free, especially if you also use oil instead of butter.
4. You Control the Fat and Flavor
Because almond milk is leaner than whole milk, you get to decide how rich your gravy turns out.
A little olive oil, vegan butter, or reserved pan drippings added to the unsweetened almond milk brings back the richness gravy needs.
How to Make Gravy With Unsweetened Almond Milk
Here’s the simple method for how to make gravy with unsweetened almond milk:
1. Start With a Roux
Melt two tablespoons of butter or heat two tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Whisk in two tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook for about a minute until it smells nutty.
2. Slowly Whisk In the Almond Milk
Pour in about a cup of unsweetened almond milk a little at a time, whisking constantly so no lumps form.
This slow addition is the trick to smooth almond milk gravy, since almond milk can separate if it hits high heat all at once.
3. Simmer Until Thickened
Keep whisking over medium-low heat for three to five minutes until the gravy coats the back of a spoon.
If it’s too thin, whisk a teaspoon of cornstarch with a splash of cold almond milk and stir it in.
4. Season Generously
Almond milk gravy benefits from bold seasoning because the base is mild.
Add salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and a splash of soy sauce or nutritional yeast for depth.
Tips for the Best Almond Milk Gravy
Keep these pointers in mind when you make gravy with unsweetened almond milk:
1. Never Boil It Hard
Unsweetened almond milk can split when boiled vigorously.
Keep the gravy at a gentle simmer and stir often, and it’ll stay smooth and creamy.
2. Use a Whisk, Not a Spoon
A whisk is your best friend when making gravy with almond milk because it breaks up lumps before they form.
3. Use It in Pan Gravy Too
You can also make gravy with unsweetened almond milk right in the roasting pan after cooking chicken or turkey.
Sprinkle flour over the drippings, whisk in the almond milk, and scrape up the browned bits for instant flavor.
So, Can You Make Gravy With Unsweetened Almond Milk?
You can make gravy with unsweetened almond milk, and it makes a smooth, savory, dairy-free sauce that works on biscuits, mashed potatoes, and roast dinners.
It won’t taste exactly like whole milk or cream, but unsweetened almond milk can absolutely make gravy when you thicken it properly and season it well.
Hope this post has helped you see why you can make gravy with unsweetened almond milk, how to do it step by step, and the tips that keep it lump-free.
Now go grab that carton of unsweetened almond milk and get whisking.