Does Gravy Contain Dairy? What You Should Know

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Gravy is arguably always the best part of a meal. And no roast is complete without a thick, rich gravy to pour over everything.

If you are a fan of gravy or want to try some out, but have dietary restrictions, you would obviously want to know what gravy is made of.

Does gravy contain dairy?

There isn’t really a straightforward answer as to whether or not gravy has dairy, as some gravies are made with dairy, and others are not. The beauty of gravy is that it is such a versatile sauce to make, and you can pretty much use whatever you want to make it.

If you need to limit your dairy intake, but love gravy on your food, read on to find out more about whether or not gravy contains dairy, how it can be made without gravy, and more!

Is There Dairy in Gravy?

Gravy is quite an encompassing word, as there is not just one type of gravy, but rather many varieties that can be made with a wide range of ingredients.

Some types of gravy are made with dairy, such as milk, cream, or butter, whereas others are not, and are made using dairy-free liquids and animal fat. While not made with dairy, keep note that most gravies are not vegetarian or vegan.

Traditional gravy is made using drippings and leftover liquid in the pan from roasting meat, or sometimes vegetables. These drippings and liquids are mixed with a thickener, and cooked until it forms a thick, saucy gravy.

Other than using drippings from meat or vegetables, gravy can also be made using ready-made stock, it really is quite versatile.

The most common thickener used to make gravy is corn starch, as it has a fine texture that mixes well into liquids, and which helps to thicken the gravy beautifully.

However, there are various other ingredients that can be added to the gravy, such as butter, animal fat, cream, milk, and more – it really depends on the recipe and what you have on hand.

Do Most Gravies Have Dairy?

Most gravies are not actually made with dairy and are instead made with roast drippings and cornstarch, and are left dairy-free. Some might contain butter, so this is worth looking out for, as it is not as obvious as cream or milk added in.

You can easily make delicious gravy at home without any dairy, just by mixing the leftover liquids from the roast, or ready-made stock, with some corn starch and flour, reducing it over heat until it thickens enough to your preference.

Why Would Gravy Contain Dairy?

As gravy can be made delicious without dairy, you might wonder why dairy is added to gravy at all.

The reason dairy is added to gravy is to give it a creamy, rich flavor and texture, which is delicious when served with potatoes and other meals.

Adding cream to a gravy can also help to thicken it further, and just adds more of a creamy flavor compared to using a dairy-free liquid such as water or stock.

At the end of the day, it does come down to what you prefer your gravy to taste like, and whether you like it more stock-like or if you prefer it to be creamier.

Does Powder Gravy Mix Contain Dairy?

Just like ready-made gravy, store-bought powder gravy mix can contain dairy, and it can also not contain dairy. If there is any dairy in the powdered gravy mix, it will most likely be powdered milk, which will give the gravy a creamier finish.

To work out whether or not powdered gravy mix has dairy in it, you will have to turn to the back of the packet and read the ingredients list. Be sure to do this even if the gravy does not look like it has dairy in it, as it might be something that isn’t so obvious.

Is Classic Brown Gravy Dairy-Free?

Classic brown gravy, which is quite liquid and almost a translucent brown color, is most often dairy-free. This is commonly made with beef dripping and mixed in with corn flour to thicken it.

The only time it might not be dairy free, other than if milk or cream is added in, is if there is butter added to the dripping mix, to add some richness to the gravy.

Is Classic White Gravy Dairy-Free?

Classic white gravy typically does contain dairy, whether it is butter, milk, or cream. It is safer to assume that white gravy has dairy, rather than not.

If classic white gravy is made with water instead of cream or milk, it will have a fairly translucent color, and not be the creamy, opaque color that it usually has.

However, if you enjoy white gravy, but are trying to stay away from dairy, then you can make white gravy with some dairy-free alternatives, and still get to enjoy the great taste.

Which Gravies Are Suitable for Vegetarians?

Traditional gravy is made with drippings and liquid from meat roasts, such as roast chicken or roast beef, and this means that the gravy would not be suitable for vegetarians.

The only time gravy would be suitable for vegetarians is if it was made from vegetable stock, which should not contain any meat products or by-products.

This can be thickened with milk or cream, but there should be no beef, chicken, or lamb flavoring to enhance the taste.

Dairy-Free Alternatives to Make Gravy

If you love the creamy richness that dairy brings to gravy, but want to avoid any dairy in your gravy, then you would want to try a dairy-free alternative to use.

Luckily, there are some great dairy-free alternatives you can use to make gravy, which will still bring about that creaminess that you would be after.

Some of the best options to try include almond milk, oat milk, cashew milk, and even coconut milk. These might not be as thick or creamy, but you can add more cornstarch to the liquid to thicken it up more to be a more pourable consistency.

Which dairy-free alternative you use to make gravy will depend on what you usually use, and the flavor you don’t mind adding to the gravy.

Does Gravy Contain Lactose?

Whether or not gravy contains lactose will depend on if it contains dairy. If the gravy is made using butter, milk, or cream, then it will have some lactose content.

If the gravy is made from the juices of a roast, some stock, and cornstarch or flour, then it should not contain any lactose, and be fine to eat. It is best to check the ingredients list first, just to make sure there are no hidden lactose ingredients contained in the gravy.

Does Stock Contain Milk?

You can make dairy-free gravy using stock cubes, such as beef stock, chicken stock, or vegetable stock, but you need to be careful when doing so.

While it doesn’t seem very obvious, some stock cubes, and liquids, can contain dairy. Several brands of stock use milk to make their stock cubes and liquid stock, and when the stock is clear or in cube form, it can be difficult to notice.

The best thing to do is to check the ingredients list, to make sure that there is no milk in the stock, as even though it might be a very, very small amount, it can cause an upset in your diet or digestive system, and it isn’t worth the risk.

Is There Such a Thing as Vegan Gravy?

Thankfully, for those who follow a vegan diet, there is vegan gravy, and it isn’t too hard to come across or make at home.

You will just need to find some vegetable stock that is certified vegan, mix it with some flavorings and spices, and then thicken it with some cornstarch.

There are also some powdered gravy options that are vegan-friendly too, so look out for these when at the grocery store.