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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
- 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
FAQ’s
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Red Wine Onion Gravy
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)
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.
Jacqueline Debono
This onion gravy sounds mouthwatering! I love using caramelized onions too, especially in onion soup!
Homemade & Yummy
Caramelizing the onions is crucial for this magical gravy.
Adriana Lopez Martin
I have never made onion gravy but sounds so delicious I bet it adds so much depth to the dish being paired with. This gravy is a nice change to the traditional perfect idea for Thanksgiving time.
Homemade & Yummy
This is by far our FAVOURITE gravy of all.
Shernell P Cooke
I use to hate onions when I was a kid. Now I love onions. This recipe is so inviting and looks like it’s full of savory goodness, Thanks for sharing.
Homemade & Yummy
My oldest daughter still hates onions. Maybe this will convince her to change her mind.
Jere Cassidy
I love gravy and always make mine. The caramelized onions are the way to go with for all that good flavor.
Homemade & Yummy
YES the onions are the star of the show here for sure.
Karyl Henry
I totally agree that homemade gravy and sauce are so much better than what you can buy at the store, and it’s worth the extra work. I also agree that you got the better job, to stand inside and drink wine 🙂 This gravy looks fabulous, and I will for sure try it out the next time I make steak
Homemade & Yummy
HAHAH….at least I was nice and took him out some wine. This gravy was the star of the show.
Tina
This would be perfect on anything with potatoes. I especially love mashed potatoes but even oven-baked seasoned potatoes would be fantastic. Meatballs too, yes definitely. Thanks for sharing your onion gravy recipe, it looks amazing.
Homemade & Yummy
I still have some left…and trying to figure a delicious way to use it up.
Stine Mari
That gravy looks spectacular! I love using caramelized onions, it brings out a whole new level of flavor. And it sounded like you had a wonderful team effort on this dinner!
Homemade & Yummy
HAHHA….yup we had fun cooking…and EATING!!
Claudia Lamascolo
I love how thick this is and easy to make. I can just imagine how wonderful this must smell when cooking too. The aroma must be mouth watering.
Homemade & Yummy
SO nice and thick…and the perfect topping for meat and potatoes.
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness
It is often difficult for me to eat steak, but I would have red wine gravy any day 😉
Homemade & Yummy
Maybe if you put this on the steak you would love it.
Traci
Gorgeous recipe! I love the step by step…you make this really easy…especially for someone who’s never made this type of gravy. The caramelized onions totally rock, and the hot pepper jelly is a nice surprise! Love to make a big batch and freeze it too. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Homemade & Yummy
It really is easy…the onions take time, but even they are easy to make. Hope you give this recipe a try.
Denise
I love caramelized onions on just about anything. Wow this sounds like it’s packed with flavor between the wine and pepper jelly. I would never have thought to put hot jelly in gravy but I am definitely trying it now. Looks delicious!
Homemade & Yummy
OMG….this gravy is AMAZE BALLS…and it has become hubby’s favourite.
Eileen Kelly
I absolutely love this onion gravy. First, carmelizing the onion brings so much flavor to the gravy. Then adding in the red wine and jelly, wow! This is over the top delicious! This would be great with so many different types of protein. I would also like this on chicken too! Oh my, and on mashed potatoes.
Homemade & Yummy
Yes…..this is going to be my favourite gravy for sure.
Veena Azmanov
We love gravy and I’m a huge fan of onion gravy but I have never tried it with red onions so I’m digging this recipe. I cannot wait to try it. Sounds so yum. Saving this for later.
Homemade & Yummy
It is actually red wine, but now that you mention it….I would love to try this with red onions.
Jolina
How delicious does this look!! We love gravy and I can tell we’ll pour this on EVERYTHING. We don’t really have a favourite gravy recipe but I think this is going to be it 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
Well THIS is the BEST gravy…hubby is telling everyone about it LOL!
Sarah
I do love an onion gravy! It really goes so well with everything- I love it on squash too! And you’re so right about the wine- lets drink most of it lol
Homemade & Yummy
HAHAH…gravy and wine make everything better for sure.