If you want, you can also pour it over mashed potatoes. I was surprised by how good it was the first time I tried it.
You can fry sausage bits and mix them in to make sausage gravy for biscuits and gravy.
You don’t need milk to make this dairy-free country gravy. You can use any dairy-free milk you like.
I will sometimes use mostly water and add oat milk because it gives the gravy color that water can’t.
Bacon gravy is a delicious southern comfort food that is typically made with bacon drippings, milk, and flour However, those who are vegan, lactose intolerant, or avoiding dairy have likely wondered how to make bacon gravy without milk Luckily, with a few simple ingredient swaps, you can easily recreate this savory southern staple in a dairy-free version that’s just as satisfying as the original.
An Overview of Bacon Gravy
For those unfamiliar with bacon gravy, it’s a creamy peppery white sauce that is classically served over biscuits toast, potatoes, chicken fried steak, eggs, and more. It has a smokey, salty, umami bacon flavor that is balanced by the richness of milk.
Traditional bacon gravy starts by cooking bacon until crispy, then reserving the rendered bacon drippings in the pan. An equal amount of flour is whisked into the hot drippings to create a roux. Milk is then whisked in until a smooth gravy forms. Finally, the cooked crumbled bacon is stirred back in, creating those delicious little bacon bits throughout.
Why Make Bacon Gravy Dairy-Free?
There are several reasons one may want to omit the milk when making bacon gravy:
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Dairy allergies or lactose intolerance: Milk is a common allergen and lactose intolerance affects 75% of the world’s population. A dairy-free version allows more people to enjoy this comforting dish.
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Vegan or plant-based diet: Vegans and those eating a plant-based diet avoid all animal products, including dairy milk.
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Paleo or Whole30 diet: All dairy is off-limits on the Paleo and Whole30 diets.
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Flavor preferences: Some prefer the flavor of bacon gravy made without the milk. The drippings provide plenty of fat and richness on their own.
How to Make Bacon Gravy Without Milk
Making creamy, delicious bacon gravy without milk is simple with just a couple minor adjustments:
Ingredients Needed
- Bacon
- Butter or oil
- Flour
- Non-dairy milk
- Chicken or vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper
Step-By-Step Instructions
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Cook the bacon until crisp; remove and reserve drippings.
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Add butter or oil to bacon drippings. Whisk in an equal amount of flour to make a roux. Cook 2-3 minutes.
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Whisk in non-dairy milk and broth until smooth and thickened. Use more or less liquid to reach desired consistency.
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Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Stir in cooked crumbled bacon.
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Serve warm over biscuits, toast, eggs, potatoes, or your favorite dishes!
Choosing the Best Non-Dairy Milk
The milk substitute you use will impact the flavor of your bacon gravy. Here are some of the best options:
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Unsweetened almond milk – Nutty flavor complements the bacon.
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Cashew milk – Provides a creamy, rich consistency.
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Oat milk – Imparts a subtle sweetness and thickness.
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Soy milk – Well-rounded flavor that mimics dairy.
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Coconut milk – For a hint of natural sweetness (use light coconut milk).
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Vegetable or chicken broth – For an ultra savory gravy.
Recipe Variations
Once you master the classic bacon gravy recipe, try these tasty variations:
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Add minced garlic or onion to the drippings.
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Use maple syrup instead of salt to sweeten.
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Stir in shredded cheddar or pepper jack for a cheese sauce.
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Add hot sauce, chili powder, or cayenne pepper for a kick.
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Swap in turkey bacon or sausage.
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Make it keto by using collagen peptides instead of flour.
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Garnish with fresh chives, parsley, or scallions.
Tips for the Best Bacon Gravy
Follow these tips for perfect bacon gravy every time:
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Choose a thick, quality bacon for lots of rendered drippings.
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Cook the bacon low and slow to extract more fat.
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Whisk vigorously when adding liquids to prevent lumps.
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Simmer the gravy gently for 5-10 minutes to remove raw flour taste.
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Add more broth for a thinner consistency if needed.
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Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and other seasonings to preference.
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For a smoother gravy, blend lightly with an immersion blender.
Enjoy Dairy-Free Bacon Gravy on Anything
Now that you know how to make flavorful bacon gravy without milk, you can drizzle it over all your favorite dishes. Here are just a few ideas:
- Biscuits, bread, scones, or rolls
- Breakfast potatoes or hashbrowns
- Omelets, scrambled eggs, or breakfast tacos
- Pancakes, waffles, or french toast
- Fried chicken, chicken fried steak, or pork chops
- Mashed potatoes or cauliflower mash
- Baked potatoes or sweet potatoes
- Green beans, Brussels sprouts, or roasted veggies
So next time you’re craving bacon gravy, don’t skip it just because you don’t have milk. With a few simple dairy-free tweaks, you can still enjoy every last smoky, peppery, bacon-y bite!
WHAT IS A ROUX
A roux is equal parts flour and fat cooked together until it reaches a specific color.
It is added to gravy, sauces, soups, and stews to make them thicker. French cooks have used it to thicken sauce for hundreds of years.
On the stove, the flour is mixed with the melted fat or oil until it is smooth. The dish is then cooked to the color you want.
For white sauce, a roux can be white. For classic gravies, a roux can be blonde. For gumbo and jambalaya, a roux can be brown.
The lighter the roux, the more thickening power it has.
Once the roux is the desired color, liquids like stock are added.
People often see instructions like “brown the flour” and avoid this step because they aren’t making brown gravy.
Browning flour means you’re cooking the flour. This removes the flour flavor so it won’t ruin the taste of your gravy.
What kind of dairy free milk to use
Many recipes can hide the taste of dairy-free milk, like my dairy-free pumpkin pie where you can’t even taste the coconut milk. But this recipe’s flavors are too simple to do that.
Dairy free milks may add their own flavor to country gravy / white gravy. So, unless you want that taste in your sauce, you should use a dairy-free milk with a mild flavor.
Almond cooking milk is made to be used in dishes like this, and water doesn’t have any flavor, so both work well here.
And for this recipe, I really like oat milk with no flavor. Almond milk with a mild flavor also works well.
Bacon Gravy Recipe
FAQ
What can you substitute for milk in gravy?
Can you use water instead of milk for homemade gravy?
What is bacon gravy made of?
How do you turn liquid into gravy?
How do you make bacon gravy?
Remove bacon and leave 2 tablespoons bacon fat in the skillet. Whisk flour into the bacon fat and cook 1 minute. Add milk a little bit at a time, stirring after each addition. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until thick and bubbly. Crumble bacon and stir into the gravy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Spoon over biscuits for serving.
How do you make brown gravy without milk?
This dairy free gravy is an easy classic brown gravy made without milk, without butter, and without cream. 1. Heat with the fat drippings over a medium heat. 2. Add flour to make the roux. Stir constantly with a spatula or a whisk until it has a light brown color. About 6 or 7 minutes.
How do you make a dairy free pepper gravy?
Heat the oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Whisk in flour, salt, and pepper until smooth. Stir over medium heat until browned, about 10 minutes. Gradually stir in water or dairy free milk so that no lumps form. Continue cooking and stirring until thick. *for a dairy free pepper gravy, use 1 – 2 tablespoons of pepper.
Can I make cream gravy without milk?
Solution: This easy cream gravy without milk is the perfect addition to your next meal. It’s delicious, healthy, and easy to make. So go ahead and give it a try! What type of non-dairy milk can I make this with? You can really use any substitute for milk in this recipe.