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BEST Onion Gravy

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No recipe collection is complete with out a truly phenomenal onion gravy.  And this one is exactly that.  This homemade onion gravy recipe features caramelized onions in a luxuriously rich, brown gravy that is sure to “wow” your dinner guests as much as it has wowed thousands of our readers!

Enjoy this classic onion gravy with our traditional Bangers and Mash, Toad in the Hole, and Yorkshire Pudding!

onion gravy recipe from scratch homemade best British English

If there’s a better smell from the kitchen than the aroma of onions caramelizing in butter I don’t know what it is.  (Well, okay, that would be caramelized onions AND bacon sauteing together.)  And when you turn those caramelized onions into a rich brown onion gravy the show can just stop there as far as I’m concerned.  Because this homemade onion gravy recipe is a showstopper.

I never need an excuse to heap on the gravy in generous quantities.  There’s been a running joke in my family since I was a child:  “Kimberly would like some mashed potatoes with her gravy.”  It’s true.  I’m a gravy fanatic.  But when you have a truly amazing homemade gravy sitting in front of you, well it’s just pretty darn hard to resist.  Plus I grew up in Germany with a German mother and Oma who both excelled at gravy-making.  So I can’t help it.  Gravy’s in my blood.  Perhaps quite literally!

Today I’m sharing a recipe with you for homemade onion gravy made from scratch.  Because that’s the only way really good gravy is made.  You may already have a recipe for mushroom gravy, brown gravy, turkey gravy, chicken gravy and white gravy, but no gravy repertoire is complete without a great onion gravy.

How to Serve Onion Gravy

Here are just a few ways you can use this delicious onion gravy:

  • Mashed potatoes
  • Hamburger or cube steak
  • Roast chicken, pan-fried chicken, or chicken fried steak
  • Pot roast, beef roast, pork roast or lamb roast
  • Meatloaf
  • Salisbury steak
  • Pork chops
  • Schnitzel
  • Poutine
  • Meatballs

And of course two of the most famous dishes featuring onion gravy is Bangers and Mash and Toad in the Hole!

bangers and mash recipe best authentic traditional British English sausages mashed potatoes onion gravy

Can I Make Onion Gravy Ahead of Time?

Yes!  This homemade onion gravy will keep for up to 3 days in the fridge in an airtight container and can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop . It will also freeze for up to 3 months.  Cornstarch has a tendency to break down when thawed so you may simply need to re-thicken it when you reheat it on the stovetop, the same way you did the first time.

Onion Gravy Recipe

Let’s get started!

Note: This onion gravy is excellent as is but if you’re already making a roast, frying up pork chops or chicken, if you make this gravy in same pan as those meat drippings, it will boost the flavor up to an excellent+.

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium high heat. Add the sliced onions and sugar and cook for about 30 minutes until caramelized (deep golden).

cooking onions

Add the red wine and herbs, bring to a rapid boil for 2 minutes, reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.  Add the mustard, salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce.

adding wine and seasonings

Add the stock, bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a low simmer and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.

Remove sprigs of herbs. Add the vinegar, whisk in the cornstarch and simmer another minute or two until thickened, whisking continuously. Add the cold butter and whisk until dissolved.

Add salt and pepper to taste and more mustard if desired.

adding broth and thickener

Serve the gravy as desired (see our list of recommendations above).

Enjoy!

onion gravy recipe from scratch homemade best British English

For more delicious gravy and sauce recipes be sure to try our:

onion gravy recipe best bangers and mash

BEST Onion Gravy

The BEST onion gravy made from scratch!
4.96 from 227 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course condiment, Sauce
Cuisine American, British, European
Servings 10
Calories 82 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1/2 stick (56 grams) unsalted butter
  • 2 large yellow onions , peeled, cut in half and thinly sliced (or diced if you prefer smaller pieces)
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 large sprig fresh sage
  • 2 cups strong beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dark balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 1 tablespoon water
  • 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter

Instructions
 

  • Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium high heat. Add the sliced onions and sugar and cook for about 30 minutes until caramelized (deep golden). Add the red wine and herbs, bring to a rapid boil for 2 minutes, reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the stock, mustard, salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce, bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a low simmer and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.
    Remove sprigs of herbs. Add the vinegar, whisk in the cornstarch and simmer another minute or two until thickened, whisking continuously. Add the cold butter and whisk until dissolved. Add salt and pepper to taste and more mustard if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cupCalories: 82kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 396mgPotassium: 78mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 221IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Onion Gravy
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Originally published on The Daring Gourmet September 28, 2019

kimberly killebrew the daring gourmet

Hi, I’m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!

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Recipe Rating




4.96 from 227 votes (110 ratings without comment)

315 Comments

  1. I don’t usually leave a review because i usually have to tweak recipes to suit but this didn’t need any alterations whatsoever, 100% the best onion gravy I’ve ever tasted

  2. Best ever is right! It’s certainly the very best I’ve ever had, and I’ve tried several. This one’s a keeper for sure. Thanks, Brandi

  3. I NEVER leave reviews online, but this gravy was just that good. Honestly, I’ve never tasted an onion gravy this good in my life. It was more time consuming than I was expecting but worth every second! I’ll definitely be making it again , and trying other recipes on this site! 🙂

  4. I normally roll my eyes a little when I see claims for the “best” but in this case that claim is 100% justified. This IS the best onion gravy bar none. I made it exactly as written, no changes, and I wouldn’t change a thing. You’ve got a new fan here and I look forward to trying more recipes.

  5. I found this doing an online search and browsed through the comments which convinced me to try it. And I agree with everything that’s been said: this onion gravy is phenomenal.

  6. This is hands down the best onion gravy I’ve ever had and probably the best gravy I’ve had period. We were blown away by the flavor and couldn’t stop commenting about it all through dinner. 10 stars!