Our caramelized onion gravy for bangers and mash is the best way to enjoy a homemade brown gravy. This simple recipe starts with caramelizing onions to a deep, golden color, before making a stout gravy with Guinness. Perfect over bangers and mash, onion gravy is always a WHOLE LOTTA YUM!
Bangers and Mash Onion Gravy with Guinness
I first experienced bangers and mash onion gravy with Guinness several years ago and since then it has been a recipe we have loved to perfect in our own home. Starting with caramlized onions, the stout gravy is rich in flavor and perfect for mash, mashed potatoes, or even a slice of bread.
Ideally, you are going to use this Guinness gravy recipe at least once to smother Irish bangers sausages and mash, a delicious Irish pork sausage and mashed potato dish. However, you can also use your onion gravy with Guinness over colcannon mashed potatoes as well.
But don't just limit this delicious gravy to Irish-inspired dishes. Feel free to try onion gravy on a variety of sausages, beef roasts, and even lamb as well.
Why You'll Love This!
- Starting with a base of caramelized onions gives your onion gravy for bangers and mash a deep, onion flavor that cannot be replaced with packet onion soup mix.
- The addition of stout beer, such as Guinness, takes your brown gravy up a notch or two.
- Perfect for smothering pork Irish banger sausages and mashed potatoes or colcannon with bacon, our stout gravy is just what you authentic Irish meal is looking for.
- Seasoned with caramelized onions, Guinness, and Worchestershire sauce, you know this onion gravy for bangers and mash the BEST homemade version round.
If you are looking for additional Irish-inspired dinners, then be sure to check out our recipes for Guinness beef stew and gluten-free Irish soda bread, which would also pair very well with our caramelized onion gravy.
Ingredient Notes
There is nothing fancy inside our caramelized onion gravy, but there is something pretty lucky in-store when you combine onions, butter, flour, broth, Worchestershire sauce, and Guinness.
- butter
- large sweet onions - thinly sliced
- all-purpose flour
- beef broth
- Worchestershire sauce
- salt
- ground black pepper
- Guinness stout beer (optional, see note below)
- brown sugar (optional-add it if you add the Guinness)
** Please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the exact quantities **
Variations
- Adding stout beer like Guinness is a fantastic addition to the gravy! Stout beers do have a slightly bitter taste so if you're adding it to the gravy, also add 1 tablespoon of brown sugar to balance out the flavors. You can also skip the Guinness entirely.
- Red wine makes a great alternative to stout beer.
Step by Step Instructions
Making this onion gravy for bangers and mash is a simple process that once you have done it once you will wonder why you didn't try it sooner. We are going to start by caramelizing our onions, add in our flour, sauces, and seasonings, and then allow the onion gravy to simmer until it's perfectly thickened and ready for sausage and mashed potatoes.
Prep Ingredients
Thinly slice 1-2 whole onions.
Heat a skillet over medium-low.
Assemble
Add 4 Tbsp of butter to the skillet and stir until it is melted.
Add the sliced onions and cook them for 10 minutes or until very soft.
Turn the heat down to low and put the lid on the pan, continue cooking for 10 more minutes.
Add the flour, combine with the onions, and cook for 1 minute.
Add the beef broth, Guinness stout beer (and brown sugar if adding the stout), and Worchestershire sauce to the pan.
Thicken
Cook over medium-high heat until the gravy starts to bubble.
Turn the sauce down to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes until the gravy is reduced, and the gravy starts to thicken. Add salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- For best results, we do recommend you make your onion gravy in a cast-iron skillet.
- Get a good caramelization on your onions before you put the lid on the pan or add any other ingredients.
- Watch the temperature of your pan closely during the simmering. You do want a low bubbling, but you do not want a rapid bubbling of the gravy.
- If you are making Irish bangers and mash, add the sausages to the gravy for the last 15-minutes simmer to really allow the flavors to combine.
Common Questions
Your onion and stout gravy will last in the fridge for up to 4 days when stored in a covered container.
You can use onion gravy with a variety of dishes including sausage, beef roasts, lamb, and even steak.
To make Guinness gravy less bitter we recommend that you add brown sugar.
More Irish Dinner Recipes
Looking for more Irish recipes?
- Irish Bangers and Mash
- Colcannon Instant Pot Recipe
- Instant Pot Irish Guinness stew
- Irish soda bread no buttermilk
- Slow cooker cabbage with bacon
Come connect with us on Instagram! Be sure to tag us (wholelotta.yum) when you make a recipe. You can also find us on Facebook, and Pinterest.
Caramelized Onion Gravy for Bangers and Mash
Traditional Irish bangers sausage with mashed potatoes and a caramelized onion gravy. Our onion gravy uses stout beer like Guinness but a fantastic variation (that's more common in England) is to use red wine instead. Both are just delicious!
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon butter
- 1 ½ large sweet onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- ½ cup Guinness stout beer (optional, see note below)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional-add it if you add the Guinness)
- 1 teaspoon Worchestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1`/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium low. Add 4 tablespoon of butter and stir until melted. Add the sliced onions and cook them for 10 minutes or until very soft. Turn the heat down to low and put the lid on the pan, continue cooking 10 more minutes.
- Add the flour, combine with the onions, and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the beef broth, Guinness stout beer (and brown sugar if adding the stout), and Worchestershire sauce to the pan. Cook over medium-high heat until the gravy starts to bubble.
- Turn the sauce down to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes until the gravy is reduced, and the gravy starts to thicken. Add salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!
Notes
Adding stout beer like Guinness is a fantastic addition to the gravy! Stout beers do have a slightly bitter taste so if you're adding it to the gravy, also add 1 tablespoon of brown sugar to balance out the flavors. You can also skip the Guinness entirely.
Red wine makes a great alternative to stout beer.
Serve over simple mashed potatoes or make Irish colcannon with cabbage or Irish champ mashed potatoes with green onions.
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