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    Home » Recipes » Sauces, Marinades, Condiments and More

    Homemade Onion Gravy with Red Wine

    Published: March 5, 2024 / By: Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy 204 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Disclosure Policy.
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    Once you make this easy Homemade Onion Gravy with Red Wine, it will soon become your favourite.

    Caramelized onions and red wine combine to make a rich sauce. This gravy is made from scratch without meat drippings. Skip the store-bought canned and dry mixes. You don’t need Bisto either. Pair them with Gramma’s Drop Biscuits.

    Homemade onion and red wine gravy on steak.

    Elevate meals with this flavourful gravy with onions. This is the perfect onion and red wine sauce for everyday or holidays. Think steak with onion gravy. Perfect gravy for bangers and mash. This recipe is a must-try. I promise you will love it!

    Here is my fool-proof recipe for perfect gravy every time! I use it for all the holiday dinners. Super easy, even beginner cooks will master it the first time!

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    Hubby wanted steak for dinner. Let me rephrase that, hubby wanted barbecued steak for dinner. Pepper steak is his favourite. He also loves using a great meat marinade too.

    I was thrilled. He gets to stand out in the cold and grill the meat. I get to stand in the kitchen (with a glass of wine) and watch him LOL. I was nice, I opened the door and offered him a glass of wine too. This turned out to be THE MOST DELICIOUS steak dinner we have ever made.

    Pepper steak has been kicked up at least 2 notches in our house with this caramelized onion gravy. Rich and savory, a true touch of class to any meal.

    Since he was so nice to cook my dinner, I wanted to make it a little extra special with a great red wine gravy. You know Julia Child’s saying, “I love to cook with wine, sometimes I even put it in the food”.

    Are you a gravy lover? I am! Turkey, beef, and mushroom. They are all delicious. I also love cranberry sauce (my version contains bourbon).

    So does my Bourbon Caramelized Onion Jam! The BEST onion jam for burgers, sausages, pulled pork, brisket, and more!!

    Now, if you are a pierogi lover, I have you covered too. This Pierogi Sauce is the BEST pierogi topping EVER!

    Thinly sliced onions ready to caramelize.

    Since red wine and steak go hand in hand, I wanted to make the perfect steak topping. This is hands down the BEST ONION GRAVY recipe you will ever make. Hubby has been telling everyone about it. Maybe I should sell it?

    Best Onion Gravy Recipe Ingredients

    • onions
    • beef broth
    • red wine
    • flour
    • mustard
    • olive oil
    • butter
    • pepper jelly
    • salt & pepper

    Homemade gravy is so much better than pre-made versions from cans, pouches, packages, or however else you can buy it. Some people are so intimidated when it comes to making gravy from scratch. After all, you can’t serve gravy with lumps at holiday dinners.

    You are in luck! This is meant to be lumpy!!

    I will say, that the MOST IMPORTANT part of this onion sauce (besides a good quality wine) is caramelizing the onions. You cannot rush this part.

    How To Caramelize Onions

    I know you are probably thinking, is this REALLY necessary? YES!

    Caramelized onions ready to make onion gravy.

    Have you ever tried a French pissaladiere pizza? A wonderful pizza topped with caramelized onions and olives. It just might be my favourite pizza of all. Even French onion soup needs some great slow-cooked onions.

    Caramelizing onions is time-consuming, but NOT difficult. I get this process started WELL before I need to use the onions in the recipe. Once they are cooked, you can reheat them when you are ready.

    Step One: You start by thinly slicing the onions (while trying not to cry). Using a heavy-bottomed skillet, heat some olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook for about 10 minutes or so to get them soft and translucent (mixing often).

    Step Two: At this point, you can turn the heat down to low. Add the butter, mix, and place a lid on the skillet. Continue to cook (mixing a few times) until the onions are golden and soft. This can take anywhere from 40-60 minutes depending on the amount of onions.

    Overhead shot of homemad red wine  gravy in a pot.

    Believe me when I say caramelized onions are WORTH the effort, I promise. If you don’t want to spend the time you can always check out Gordon Ramsay’s recipe for Shallot and Red Wine Sauce, or Nigella Lawson’s recipe, but my hubby thinks you will like my recipe better.

    Homemade Onion Gravy From Scratch

    It is super easy and comes together quickly once the onions are cooked.

    I got this idea from a recipe for classic British Cumberland Sauce. Since we love our food on the spicy side, this worked fantastically. Any wine jelly (or hot jelly if you like the heat) will work. Alternatively, if jelly is not your thing, add tomato paste instead.

    A gravy boat full of onion gravy ready to serve.
    • To the cooked onions add the jelly, mustard, salt, and pepper. Stir until the jelly melts.
    • Add the flour and mix well.
    • Add the wine, then the broth. Stir well.
    • Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce, and cook until it thickens.

    In a few minutes, you will have the best brown onion gravy ever!

    What Do I Put Onion Gravy On?

    Well, let me tell you there are many ways to use this thick and rich homemade onion sauce. The ultimate for comfort foods. Let’s start with biscuits and gravy. Don’t stop there, here are a few suggestions:

    • Mashed potatoes
    • Roast (beef, pork, or lamb)
    • Chicken
    • Steak
    • Pork Chops
    • Meatballs
    • Poutine
    • Bangers and Mash
    Homemade Onion Gravy on a steak.
    FAQ’s
    What is the best red wine to cook with?

    This is a personal preference for sure. I always say if you won’t drink it, don’t cook with it. Great choices would be Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel.

    What are the best onions to caramelize?

    You have lots of choices here. All will work well. Experiment and see which you like best. Yellow, sweet, red, and even leeks work great.

    Is there a difference between caramelized onions and sautéed?

    Caramelizing is a much slower process. It takes roughly an hour over medium-low heat. Sautéing is done in a matter of minutes over medium-high heat.

    Can you make onion gravy in advance?

    Yes, it can. Warm it up in a saucepan when you are ready to eat. Store the cooled gravy in the refrigerator, in a covered, non-metallic container, for up to 3 days.

    Be sure to CLICK THE SUBSCRIBE BUTTON located in the TOP MENU.

    Red wine and onion gravy on top of steak.Pin
    Homemade Onion Gravy with Red Wine on top of steak.

    Red Wine Onion Gravy

    Red Wine Onion Gravy is going to be your MAGIC sauce from now on. Caramelized onion gravy from scratch. The perfect topping for steak (and lots of other things too).
    5 from 173 votes
    Pin Recipe Print Rate Save To Your Recipe Box Saved!
    Course: Gravy, side
    Cuisine: Canadian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 86kcal
    Author: Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

    Ingredients

    • 11 ounces white onions (thinly sliced)
    • 2 cups beef broth (sodium reduced)
    • ⅓ cup dry red wine
    • 1 tablespoon flour
    • 2 tablespoons hot pepper jelly (or to your taste)
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • 1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
    • salt & pepper (to taste)
    US Customary – Metric

    Instructions

    • Thinly slice the onions.
    • Warm the oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat.
    • Adds the onions, stir and cook for about 8-10 minutes. Mix during the cooking process. Onions should be soft and translucent. Do not burn them.
    • Turn the heat to low. Add the butter, salt and pepper. Mix well, and place the lid on the pan.
    • Cook over low heat until the onions are nicely caramelized. Stir several times. It will take about 40-50 minutes for the onions to nicely brown and get very soft.
      **NOTE** You can cook the onions ahead of time, and just warm them when it is time to make the gravy.
    • When the onions are done, turn up the heat to medium.
    • Add the hot pepper jelly and mustard. Stir until everything has melted into the onions.
    • Add the flour and mix to combine well.
    • Add the wine and beef broth. Mix.
    • Turn the heat to high and bring mixture to a boil.
    • Reduce heat to low, and cook until the gravy thickens and reduces slightly. This should take about 15-20 minutes.
    • Pour gravy into a serving vessel.

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 86kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 244mg | Potassium: 89mg | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 45IU | Vitamin C: 2.9mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 0.2mg

    Notes

    This recipe makes 2 cups of gravy.
    The onions can be cooked ahead of time, and heated before continuing to make the gravy.
     
    Tried this recipe?Take a picture and tag @homemadeandyummy
    Nutritional information on this site is generated via a plugin. I am not responsible for the accuracy of the plugin information.

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    MEET THE AUTHOR

    Gloria Duggan is the author for Homemade & Yummy, where she creates fun and easy recipes. She is also a brand ambassador/influencer for well-known companies. Gloria has judged food competitions and has posted about local food events. Gloria's work has been featured in magazines, and she has been interviewed on several podcasts. Read More…

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Savita

      March 19, 2024 at 2:38 pm

      Wine and comfort food, what a great combination. The recipe seems very easy to follow and good that I stumbled upon this. Now I know what my Friday dinner is.

      Reply
      • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

        March 19, 2024 at 2:52 pm

        This is our very favourite gravy, I hope you enjoy it.

    2. Carrie Robinson

      March 18, 2024 at 6:54 am

      What a fantastic gravy recipe! I can think of so many dishes that this can be used on. Yum! 🙂

      Reply
      • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

        March 18, 2024 at 8:42 am

        Yes for sure it is a versatile gravy. Enjoy.

    3. Moop Brown

      March 18, 2024 at 4:14 am

      I think this recipe is versatile and will pair well with a variety of different foods. I personally want to try this recipe for them along with a some potatoes.

      Reply
      • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

        March 18, 2024 at 8:42 am

        Onion gravy is perfect for potatoes….and more.

    4. Jamie

      March 17, 2024 at 7:07 pm

      Caramelizing the onions added so much flavor to this onion gravy! We loved it over mashed potatoes!

      Reply
      • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

        March 18, 2024 at 8:43 am

        That is the key to this onion gravy for sure.

    5. Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer

      March 17, 2024 at 5:11 pm

      Such an awesome recipe to have on hand. This was so good! I ended up serving it with roasted chicken and we could not get enough of it!

      Reply
      • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

        March 18, 2024 at 8:43 am

        It works well with meats of all kinds.

    6. Lauren

      March 17, 2024 at 3:38 pm

      My husband and I loved this onion gravy over steaks this weekend. It was delicious – can’t wait to try it in some other ways soon too!

      Reply
      • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

        March 18, 2024 at 8:43 am

        We do agree, it is the perfect steak gravy.

    7. Lisa

      March 17, 2024 at 11:29 am

      Great way to use up the onions I had in my pantry. So delicious on steak and mashed potatoes!

      Reply
      • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

        March 18, 2024 at 8:44 am

        Mashed potatoes and gravy is always a hit, and this onion gravy takes it to the next level.

    8. Giangi Townsend

      March 17, 2024 at 9:08 am

      What a fantastic recipe! I had way too many onions in the house and had no idea what to create with them until I found your recipe. It is amazingly flavorful, and I love the red wine, which, to me, brings in a great layer of flavor. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

        March 17, 2024 at 9:58 am

        I love making this delicious gravy….and it is so good too.

    9. Amy Liu Dong

      March 17, 2024 at 9:04 am

      I love this recipe, the instructions are super easy to follow, delicious, and flavorful. Perfect for my grilled pork chops or grilled patties.

      Reply
      • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

        March 17, 2024 at 9:59 am

        Glad you found the recipe easy to make and delicious to eat.

    10. Amy Liu Dong

      March 17, 2024 at 4:40 am

      This recipe is great! Onion as the base of the gravy is such a good idea and you paired it with wine, that makes it an awesome recipe!

      Reply
      • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

        March 17, 2024 at 9:59 am

        Thanks so much. Enjoy this great recipe for onion gravy.

    11. silvia

      March 16, 2024 at 7:44 pm

      I love white onions, but most of the gravy recipes I’ve seen are made with yellow onions, so of course, I needed to give this a try. I added a little bit more of the pepper jelly and I loved the heat.

      Reply
      • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

        March 17, 2024 at 10:00 am

        Honestly, any kind of onion will work. The magic is in the caramelizing.

    12. Colleen

      March 15, 2024 at 3:50 pm

      This gravy will be perfect on fries and cheese curds for poutine tonight. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

        March 17, 2024 at 10:00 am

        I would say this is a great gravy for poutine…enjoy!

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