Easy Onion Gravy (Thick and Delicious!)
Jump to Recipe
This deliciously easy onion gravy recipe is made with caramelized onions, offering a yummy flavor for your favorite recipes. This rich brown gravy is delicious and smooth, so it’s great for a roast, toad in the hole, Yorkshire puddings, shepherd’s pie, or a simple gravy for sausages and mash. This is one gravy you’ll want to keep in your recipe repertoire!
Table of Contents
Why you’ll love this recipe
Make ahead and freeze – This onion gravy freezes incredibly well! Just let the onion gravy recipe cool completely, then keep it in the freezer for up to three months.
Easy recipe – You only need simple ingredients and about 20-30 minutes to whip up this easy gravy recipe.
Fabulous Flavor – The sliced onions, rosemary, beef broth, and butter add a delightful flavour to this onion gravy.
Love gravy? You’ll love my Tender Braising Steak with Gravy
What is onion gravy?
Onion gravy is a delicious recipe made with caramelized onions, beef stock, butter and a cornstarch/flour mixture. As the gravy simmers over medium heat with herbs/seasoning of choice, it turns into a yummy, rich brown gravy you can use for various dishes. Creating this recipe from prep to finish will take about 20-30 minutes.
What can you put it on?
Once you master how to make onion gravy, you can use it as a topper for quite a few dishes. It’s excellent with Yorkshire Puddings, shepherd’s pie, mashed potatoes, bangers and mash, roast, pan-fried chicken, etc. Add it to anything you typically eat with gravy to boost the flavour.
Ingredients
Onions
Part of what gives this tasty onion gravy its lush flavour. You can use other onions if you prefer, like sweet, yellow or red. This swap will change the flavour of the gravy slightly.
Fresh rosemary
Adding fresh rosemary to easy onion gravy really elevates the flavours. Other fresh herbs, like thyme and sage, will also work.
Flour
This ingredient helps create the lush, thick consistency this gravy offers. Instead of flour, you can use cornstarch to help thicken the gravy.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations/ Adaptations
Try these adaptations for an even more delicious onion gravy! Add a small amount of wine or meat drippings for the best onion gravy. This step will help elevate the flavour. Don’t be afraid to experiment with other fresh herbs, including thyme, rosemary, sage, and garlic. You can also include a bit of Dijon mustard for a tangy flavour boost.
This gravy would go well with any roast dinner recipes ; The CRISPIEST Roast Potatoes, Fluffy Yorkshire Puddings and Honey-Roasted Carrots & Parsnips
How to make this easy onion gravy
- Start by thinly slicing the onions (Image 1).
- Then add the olive oil and butter into the pan over a medium/low heat (Image 2).
3. Once the butter has melted, add the onions into the pan (Image 3).
4. Season with salt and pepper gently fry over a low heat (Image 4).
5. Fry for approximately 20 minutes, stirring occasionally (Image 5).
6. After this time the onions should be nicely browned and caramelised (Image 6).
7. Then add the flour into the pan and cook for 2 minutes stirring the whole time (Image 7).
8. Then slowly pour the beef stock into the pan whilst continuously stirring (Image 8).
9. Add the rosemary sprigs, Worcester sauce, red wine vinegar and a pinch of salt and pepper (Image 9).
10. Heat and stir until your gravy has thickened to your desired consistency (Image 10).
Serve hot in a gravy boat & enjoy!
This onion gravy would go perfectly with chicken or sausages and here’s some tips on reheating and cooking from frozen : How to Reheat Rotisserie Chicken, Cooking Frozen Sausages in an Air Fryer and How to cook frozen chicken breast in the air fryer
Tips for the best results
Add liquid to the flour mixture slowly while whisking to prevent lumps
When adding the stock to this simple onion gravy for sausages, pour it in a little at a time. This step ensures your onion gravy comes out lump-free.
Get a smooth texture with an immersion blender
The best way to create a smooth gravy is by using an immersion blender. Blitzing the gravy with this blender helps break up all the onion pieces. This is a matter of preference though as I love the onion pieces so leave them in!
Season it well for best flavor
While the onions, beef stock, and Worcestershire sauce add a lot of flavour, you’ll still need to toss in salt and pepper to this gravy. Be sure also to include fresh herbs for the best flavour.
Serve this gravy on special occasions ; Christmas Dinner and Vegan Roast Dinner (use vegetable stock)
Storage and Reheat Instructions
If you have any leftover gravy, allow it to cool fully. Then, pour it into an airtight container and refrigerate. It can stay good in the fridge for up to three days.
Make ahead instructions
This onion gravy is a great make-ahead option. Simply follow the directions noted below. Then, allow the gravy to cool fully. Once cool, pack it in an airtight container or baggie and freeze.
How to reheat after making ahead and freezing
When you’re ready to use your gravy, let it defrost overnight in the fridge. Then, you can zap it in the microwave or reheat it on the stove.
Here is some advice on reheating other recipes : The Best Way To Reheat Salmon or The Best Way to Reheat Baked Ziti
FAQs
If your onion gravy is bitter, you may have used an old onion. Another culprit may be something that got burnt along the way. Be sure to use fresh ingredients and keep a watchful eye on the onions as they cook.
The best way to thicken an onion gravy recipe quick is by adding flour or cornstarch to the recipe. If you’ve already created the gravy, make a slurry with the flour before adding it to the mixture to avoid lumps.
If your gravy is too thick, add a small amount of beef stock to help loosen the gravy.
Yes, you can buy onion gravy at the store. However, I find a homemade version much more delicious and flavourful. Plus, you can adjust the herbs and seasonings to your liking more easily when you make this onion gravy recipe UK version at home.
If you tried this Easy Onion Gravy recipe, it would be mean so much to me if you could leave a review & a star rating to let me know how you found it! I love hearing about your experiences – it motivates me to keep creating more and more recipes for you guys 💛 Let’s get cooking! – Mimi x
Easy Onion Gravy
Ingredients
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced (£0.20)
- 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary (£0.60)
- 1 tbsp butter (£1.69/10)=(£0.17)
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar (£1.30/10)=(£0.13)
- 1 tbsp Worcester sauce (£1.70/10)=(£0.17)
Cupboard Essentials
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp flour
- 800 ml beef stock
Method
- Start by adding the olive oil and butter into the pan over a medium/low heat. Once melted, add the onions into the pan. Season with salt and pepper gently fry over a low heat.
- Fry for approximately 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until the onions are nicely caramelised.
- Once the onions have caramelised, add the flour into the pan and cook for 2 minutes, then slowly pour the beef stock into the pan whilst continuously stirring. Add the rosemary sprigs, Worcester sauce, red wine vinegar and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Heat until your gravy has thickened to your desired consistency. Serve hot in a gravy boat & enjoy!
Notes
- Gradually add liquid to flour mixture while whisking to prevent lumps in gravy.
- Pour stock slowly into onion gravy while stirring to avoid lumps.
- If you want a smoother gravy, use an immersion blender/hand blender ensuring all onion pieces are broken up.
Nutrition
- Weekly meal plans with a £20 budget
- 150+ exclusive recipes
- Personal dashboard
- Exclusive step by step videos
- Shopping list tools
- Advert Free experience
