Tempeh Sausage Gravy

Name: Tempeh Sausage Gravy
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 oz Chaotic Good chickpea tempeh, crumbled fine; 2 tbsp neutral oil or dairy-free butter; ½ yellow onion, finely minced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tsp fennel seed, crushed; 1 tsp dried sage; ½ tsp smoked paprika; ½ tsp black pepper + more to taste; ¼ tsp red pepper flakes; 1 tbsp tamari (or coconut aminos); 3 tbsp all-purpose flour (or GF flour blend); 2 cups unsweetened oat milk or other plant milk; salt to taste

June 19, 2026

Tempeh Sausage Gravy is a soy-free tempeh breakfast made with fresh, fermented chickpea tempeh instead of soy. A few simple swaps keep it gluten-free, too.

4 servings · About 30 min · Soy-free · Gluten-free option

Why fermented chickpea tempeh

This recipe is built on our fresh chickpea tempeh, which is fermented rather than pasteurized, so the culture stays active and the flavor stays full. It is naturally soy-free and holds its texture through cooking.

Ingredients

8 oz Chaotic Good chickpea tempeh, crumbled fine
2 tbsp neutral oil or dairy-free butter
½ yellow onion, finely minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp fennel seed, crushed
1 tsp dried sage
½ tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp black pepper + more to taste
¼ tsp red pepper flakes
1 tbsp tamari (or coconut aminos)
3 tbsp all-purpose flour (or GF flour blend)
2 cups unsweetened oat milk or other plant milk
salt to taste

Instructions

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add crumbled tempeh. Cook 5 to 6 min, stirring occasionally, until golden brown in spots. Fresh tempeh browns quickly, don’t walk away.
Reduce to medium. Add onion and garlic; cook 2 to 3 min until softened.
Add fennel, sage, paprika, pepper, red pepper flakes, and tamari. Stir to coat; cook 1 min until fragrant.
Sprinkle flour over everything. Stir well and cook 2 min to eliminate raw flour taste.
Pour in plant milk slowly, stirring constantly. Increase heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring frequently, 5 to 7 min until thickened to gravy consistency.
Season with salt and adjust pepper. Serve immediately over biscuits, toast, or grits.

Chef note: For thicker gravy use 4 tbsp flour; for thinner use 2 tbsp. Leftovers thicken in the fridge, add a splash of plant milk and reheat gently over medium-low, stirring constantly.

Make it with

This pairs with Tempeh Breakfast Patties. Start from a block of OG Raw Chickpea Tempeh (shop it here). Short on time? Reach for our heat-and-serve Quick Biscuits and Tempeh Sausage Gravy.

Allergen swaps

Contains WHEAT (flour) and SOY (tamari). Wheat-free: use certified GF flour blend; serve over GF biscuits or grits. Soy-free: substitute coconut aminos. ✓ Chaotic Good Tempeh is chickpea-based, naturally soy-free at the tempeh level!

Frequently asked questions

Is Tempeh Sausage Gravy soy-free?

Yes. Our tempeh is fermented from chickpeas, not soybeans, so this recipe is naturally soy-free. Check any packaged sauces or condiments if soy is a strict concern.

How do I make it gluten-free?

The tempeh itself is gluten-free. Use gluten-free bread, tamari, or noodles wherever the recipe calls for the standard version, and confirm any packaged sauces are gluten-free.