This week I'm going to share with you how to make one of my favourite go to recipes to pump some extra flavour into your meals. This red onion gravy is the traditional accompaniment to sausage and mash or toad in the hole, but you can also mix it up and use it in place of a smooth gravy on your Sunday roast or Christmas dinner - it will do wonders for your pork chops and roast potatoes.
Jump to Recipe
This simple onion gravy has a wonderful rich depth of favour - in my opinion it's the best gravy recipe out there! It uses just a handful of ingredients, most of which will already be sitting in your kitchen cupboards and doesn't require much attention during the cook, meaning you can keep enjoying that glass of red wine!
Vegetarian and Vegan Red Onion Gravy Recipe
Strictly speaking, because I have used Worcestershire sauce in this recipe, it isn't vegetarian and I also use butter to cook the onions so it's not vegan. HOWEVER...!! With a few simple swap outs you can make this 100% animal product free. Swap the Worcestershire sauce for a tsp of marmite and just use oil to cook the onions rather than butter.
I often use a vegetable stock in onion gravy, so it's perfect if you are catering for vegetarian and meat eaters, but you can also use beef or chicken stock if that's what you have to hand.
Caramelised Red Onion Gravy
Because I wanted this from scratch onion gravy recipe to be as simple and easy as possible, I didn't fully caramelise the onions, but if you have time then cook them for longer to get them nice and sweet. If you want to make this gravy even richer, pop in a bit of red wine 😉
How to make Red Onion Gravy From Scratch
We are all so used to using gravy granules for a quick and easy gravy - me included! - but there really is no better than making your own for a full and rich flavour. It takes around 50 minutes to make onion gravy scratch, but most of that time is passive. It's so easy to make gravy while you are cooking your main dish.
This is a foolproof red onion gravy recipe that is packed full of delicious flavour and I'm sure it will become your go to accompaniment for your bangers and mash!
Red Onion Gravy From Scratch
Ingredients
- 4 red onions
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1.75 ounces salted butter (50g)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp demerara sugar
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp plain flour
- 2.1 cups vegetable stock (500 ml)
- 1 small bunch thyme tied with kitchen string
Instructions
- Finely slice the onions and garlic
- In a medium saucepan, add the butter, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, salt and pepper. Put on a low heat to melt the butter
- Add the sliced onions and garlic, and cook for about 10 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the flour and cook for another couple of minutes
- Turn down the heat as low as it will go and add the stock and thyme. Place a lid on the saucepan and leave for 30 minutes.
- Remove the lid and keep on the heat until the gravy has reduced to your preferred consistency.
Notes
Nutrition
Alicia says
Worst gravy ive ever made, it was SO sweet. does not need all of that sugar. Had to pour it in the bin!
Pauline says
Fab and easy to make
Amanda says
Made this and it was very sweet added in a considerable amount of salt to balance, and also thickened with extra flour. But tastes good!
Mary M says
Just found your blog, it's rare that I see recipes I've never seen before!
For this recipe, I have a few questions:
1) Have you made it successfully with yellow onions?
2) What aprox size or total weight were your 4 onions?
3) Is it really only 4 servings? I'm thinking this might be very food as a small "sauce", more like a side condiment, with a grilled steak or pork chop?
I'm definitely going to make your bacon grease gravy with the ham stock, which is still in my fridge from our ham last week! (And the creamy mushrooms look good!)
Slow The Cook Down says
Hi Mary! So glad that you have found me! Welcome 🙂
- Yes, you can totally make this with yellow onions - the flavor may be a bit stronger and not quite as sweet, but it will still be delicious!
- I used average sized onions - not too small but not too big. Sorry I can be more specific, but as long as they aren't extreme in size you'll be just fine!
- This recipe is 4 servings for me because I love gravy and no much is ever enough! You could easily get 6 servings, possibly more, if just using a little to top your meat.
Hope you enjoy! Feel free to ask any questions about the other recipes and let me know your thoughts if you make any!
Betty x
Mary M says
Thanks for the reply, I am making it today to go with some Ribeyes (that don't need gravy, but hey, why not?)
Mary Abramczyk says
Delicious! I used it as a gravy/soup 🙂
Slow The Cook Down says
So glad you enjoyed it Mary! It's one of my favorite all time recipes!
Kris says
Sorry maybe I've had to much wine. Lol. My post should read "put the lid on for 30 min"
kris
Slow The Cook Down says
Ha ha, it happens to the best of us! So glad you enjoyed this Kris, thanks for taking the time to comment! 🙂
Kris says
I made this for my meatloaf. A-MAZING!! I love the part where you" put the old on for 30min". That happens to be the exact time it takes I have a glass of wine. Live this gravy.
Sam says
Lovely gravy I added a extra tablespoon of flour as I like gravy thick. Will definitely make it again
Slow The Cook Down says
Hi Sam, so glad you enjoyed it, I've been making this for years!
Michelle - Giraffes Can Bake says
Is it bad that I just want to drink this gravy?!
Slow The Cook Down says
Never!
Tracy says
I have a confession... I could eat gravy with EVERYTHING it's one of my weaknesses! And adding onions to them? I might just grab a spoon... this looks amazing!
Slow The Cook Down says
I need gravy on everything too! Let me know if you give this one a go!
Marlee says
This looks absolutely amazing! Next time I make a roast, this will definitely be accompanying it!
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
I love a great gravy and homemade is the only way to go. This one sounds amazing and perfect for a Sunday dinner.
Debbie Pierce says
The onion gravy looks wonderful. Think that I will try the recipe this week. Thanks for sharing.
Slow The Cook Down says
Hi Debbie, you won't be disappointed! Its so easy to make and super tasty. Let me know how you get on!