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!

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. And I can promise you, this one is grrrreat!
What to Serve With Onion Gravy
Two of the most famous dishes featuring onion gravy are Bangers and Mash and Toad in the Hole which I highly recommend making (they’re two of my favorites). In addition, here are some other delicious ways to use your homemade onion gravy:
- Mashed potatoes
- Yorkshire Pudding
- Hamburger or cube steak (try it with my German/Danish Frikadellen)
- Roast chicken, pan-fried chicken, or chicken fried steak
- Pot Roast, pork roast or lamb roast
- Meatloaf
- Salisbury steak
- Pork chops
- Schnitzel
- Poutine
- Meatballs

Storage & Advance Preparation
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).

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.

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.

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

For more delicious gravy and sauce recipes be sure to try my:
- Sausage Gravy
- Hamburger Gravy
- Mushroom Gravy
- Turkey Gravy
- White Gravy
- Rahm Sauce
- Bolognese
- Beef Ragu
- Lamb Ragu
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BEST Onion Gravy
Equipment
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
Originally published on The Daring Gourmet September 28, 2019



















This was a gravy masterpiece!! I didnโt have the fresh herbs so used dried. 1/2 thyme and 1/4 sage. Ended up using more cornstarch. This was the best!!! Yum! Thanks for sharing!
That was tsp for the dried herbs. And I also did the sausages like u suggested, in the oven. Ugh! So so good! If I donโt want to grill, this is how Iโm doing them from now on!
Fantastic, Laura, I’m so glad you enjoyed it, thank you so much!
I went to Ireland a few years ago and have been trying to replicate an amazing bangers and mash dish I had at a restaurant there. After 5 years of trying onion gravy recipes and failing I finally found this one and it was perfect!!! Tasted just like the one I had in Ireland. Made the recipe exactly as is. It was simple to make and incredibly delicious. Thank you so much!!!
I’m absolutely thrilled to hear that, K, thank you so much!!
This was easy and amazing
How do I store the extra?
Thank you, Terri, I’m happy you enjoyed it! You can store it in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat it either on the stovetop or in the microwave. If it’s too thick (as cornstarch has the tendency to become) simply dilute it with a little broth or water.
What is your favorite go-to wine for this recipe? Zin? Cab? Etc?
Hi Jess, I’ve used Cab, Merlot and Pinot Noir, all with great results. Merlot is lower in tannins if you want to reduce the chances of bitterness.
Delicious but Iโm a not so great cook and as a result of that when I added the red wine to the onions, it caught on fire. Briefly, but enough to remind me I need work lol. Anyway, it turned out great!!! I will make again but use caution and be prepared!
Lower your heat, you got this! :)
Just about to plate dinner. The house smells amazing! That savoury gravy is so delicious. Going to use this gravy recipe the next time I make Salisbury steaks.
Fantastic, Sharon, thank you so much!
I used potatoe starch to thicken, as I am not keen on cornflower, I only had fresh chicken stock, but was still delicious
Fantastic, Helen, I’m happy you enjoyed it, thank you!
YO! This turned out AMAZING. I didn’t have the fresh herbs so I used 1/2 tsp ground sage and 2 tsp thyme, but it worked. I might use a little less ground sage but it still tastes fantastic. It’s like a gravy meets french onion soup.
Fantastic, Mike, thanks so much!
This gravy is amazing! We put it over canned venison, carrots and mashed potatoes, and it was soooo good. Thank you!
Thanks so much, Angela, I’m happy you enjoyed it!