This savory Hairy Bikers Onion Gravy is made with red onions, beef stock, balsamic vinegar, and a touch of brown sugar. The result is a rich, glossy, and deeply flavored gravy that is both sweet and tangy. This recipe is a perfect companion for a Sunday roast and makes a delicious serving for 4 people.
Hairy Bikers Onion Gravy Ingredients
- 2 large red onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon caster sugar
- 1 tablespoon plain flour
- 500ml beef stock
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
How To Make Hairy Bikers Onion Gravy
- Sauté the onions: Heat the olive oil and butter in a large frying pan or saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the sliced red onions and a pinch of salt. Cook gently for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are very soft and starting to caramelize.
- Caramelize the onions: Sprinkle the caster sugar over the onions and stir well. Continue to cook for another 5-10 minutes until the onions are a deep golden brown and sticky.
- Create the roux: Sprinkle the plain flour over the caramelized onions and stir it in. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to cook out the raw flour taste. This mixture of flour and fat is a roux, which will thicken the gravy.
- Build the gravy: Slowly pour in the beef stock, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Bring the gravy to a simmer and continue to cook for 5-10 minutes, or until it has thickened to your desired consistency.
- Finish the gravy: Stir in the balsamic vinegar and brown sugar. Season with a little more salt and black pepper to taste. For a smoother gravy, you can use an immersion blender to blend some of the onions, or simply leave them in for a more rustic texture.
- Serve: Serve the hot onion gravy immediately over roast meat, sausages, or mashed potatoes.
Recipe Tips
- Low and slow is key: The secret to a good onion gravy is to take your time caramelizing the onions. Cooking them over low heat for a long time brings out their natural sweetness and deep, rich flavor.
- Deglaze the pan: Make sure you scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan when you add the stock. These are packed with flavor.
- Whisk constantly: Whisking while you add the stock is essential to prevent lumps. If you do get lumps, a quick blend with an immersion blender will fix them.
- Adjust sweetness and tang: The balsamic vinegar and brown sugar add a nice balance to the savory stock. You can adjust the amounts of each to your liking, adding more vinegar for tang or more sugar for sweetness.
What To Serve Onion Gravy
This rich Hairy Bikers Onion Gravy is a versatile condiment. It is the perfect accompaniment for a classic roast beef or roast lamb. It also pairs exceptionally well with bangers and mash (sausages and mashed potatoes) or toad in the hole. For a simple and comforting meal, pour it generously over homemade meat pies or serve it with roasted vegetables and a hearty Yorkshire pudding.
How To Store Onion Gravy Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Let the gravy cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When reheating, you may need to add a splash of water or stock to adjust the consistency.
- Freeze: Onion gravy freezes well. Pour it into a freezer-safe container or ice cube tray for smaller portions. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before gently reheating on the stovetop.
Hairy Bikers Onion Gravy Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 150ml)
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Total Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 500mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 15g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 10g
- Protein: 4g
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make this gravy vegetarian? Yes, absolutely. Simply substitute the beef stock with a good quality vegetable stock. The rest of the ingredients are vegetarian, and the rich flavor from the caramelized onions will still make for a delicious gravy.
- Why did my gravy not thicken? If your gravy is too thin, it could be because there was not enough flour or it did not cook long enough. To fix this, you can make a slurry of 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Whisk this into the simmering gravy and cook for a few more minutes until it thickens.
- Can I use a different type of onion? While red onions provide a lovely sweetness and color, you can also use yellow or white onions. The flavor profile will be slightly different but will still result in a very tasty gravy.
Try More Recipes:
- Hairy Bikers Thai Fish Cakes Recipe
- Hairy Bikers Piccalilli Recipe
- Hairy Bikers Onion Bhaji Recipe
Hairy Bikers Onion Gravy Recipe
Description
Hairy Bikers Onion Gravy is a rich, savory, and sweet gravy made with deeply caramelized red onions, beef stock, and balsamic vinegar. It’s the perfect topping for roasts, sausages, and mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Sauté onions: Cook sliced onions in oil and butter over low heat for 15-20 minutes until soft.
- Caramelize: Add caster sugar and cook for 5-10 minutes until deep golden brown.
- Make a roux: Sprinkle in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring.
- Add stock: Slowly whisk in beef stock until smooth. Simmer for 5-10 minutes to thicken.
- Finish: Stir in balsamic vinegar and brown sugar. Season to taste.
- Serve: Serve hot over your favorite dishes.
