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Home Quick and Easy

Bangers and Mash (Sausage with Onion Gravy)

By:Nagi
Published:25 Oct '21Updated:29 Oct '21
230 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

Sausage with Onion Gravy and Mashed Potato – affectionately known as “Bangers and Mash” – is one of the greatest of all comfort foods. A sausage recipe for a quick easy dinner with a side of peas or steamed vegetables to douse in the homemade gravy.

The onion gravy is to-die for but only requires 4 things: onion, garlic, beef broth/stock and flour. That’s it!

Bangers and Mash (Sausage with Onion Gravy) on a plate with mashed potato and peas

Bangers and Mash

I have to hand it to the Brits, they come up with great names for food. Bubble and Squeak – roast leftovers fried up. Spotted Dick (get your mind out of the gutter! It’s a pudding shaped like a log studded with raisins!).

Toad In the Hole – Sausage in a Yorkshire Pudding batter. (PS Don’t Google for photos because you’ll probably get…well, you know. TOADS in a hole. Ick!)

And Bangers and Mash – sausage with gravy!

Why is it called Bangers and Mash?

“Bangers and Mash” is the affectionate British slang for sausages and creamy mashed potato, served with gravy. “Bangers” refers to the sausages – named as such because back then, sausages would burst open “with a bang!” when cooked unless you pricked with a fork. Sometimes, they still do!

This is the first sausage recipe that comes to mind whenever I’m planning sausages for dinner! So obvious, I know…

Sausages with gravy in a black skillet, ready to be served

Onion Gravy

The onion gravy is what really makes this sausage recipe. Onions not only add flavour, they also bulk up the gravy so you can really pile that gravy on and smother the sausages.

It’s very simple to make and no different to making gravy for things like roasts – Roast Lamb, Roast Chicken and Turkey.

Close up of onion gravy for Bangers and Mash (Sausage with Onion Gravy)

What you need to make Bangers and Mash

Here’s all you need to make Bangers and Mash:

Ingredients in Bangers and Mash (Sausage with Onion Gravy)

Best Sausages for Bangers and Mash

For a really classic Bangers and Mash experience, you can’t go past some big, fat pork sausages. Look for good quality ones that are all meat, no fillers – check the ingredients or ask your butcher.

The only sausages I do not recommend using are lean sausages because they won’t drop enough juices and fat to make a truly tasty gravy.

If you use low fat sausages, I cannot be held accountable for lack of flavour in the gravy!!

What you need to make Bangers and Mash Gravy

  • Sausages drippings – This refers to the brown bits stuck on the base of the pan and the oil / sausage juices that are left in the skillet after browning them. Sausage drippings are the key to wickedly delicious Onion Gravy!

  • Garlic and onion – Essential base flavouring ingredients for many, many savoury dishes!

  • Flour – This is what thickens the gravy.

  • Beef broth/ stock – The liquid for the gravy that gives it flavour. You’ll be disappointed if you use water, so don’t do it!


How to make Bangers and Mash

How to make Bangers and Mash (Sausage with Onion Gravy)
  1. Brown sausages in a skillet then remove when cooked. If there’s an excessive amount of oil in the skillet, feel free to discard some. But you’ll want to keep at least 1 1/2 – 2 tablespoons of fat to cook the onions and form the flavour base for the gravy.

  2. Saute onion and garlic in the sausage drippings until the onions are translucent.

  3. Cook off flour – Add the flour into the onion mixture and cook it for a couple of minutes. This will cook out the rawness of the flour.

  4. Add beef broth/liquid stock. The flour mixed into the onion mixture will dissolve into the liquid. At first it will be watery abut as it heats up, it will thicken into a gravy consistency.

How to avoid lumpy gravy?

The trick to avoid lumpy gravy is to start by adding just some of the broth into the flour/onion mixture and stir to form a sludgy paste before mixing in the rest. This sludge will dissolve more easily into the remaining broth, making a lovely lump-free gravy without the need of a whisk!

Tip! For a BAKED version of Bangers and Mash, see this Sausage Bake. It comes with a gravy that’s made in the oven at the same time the sausages are cooking!

Bangers and Mash (Sausage with Onion Gravy) on a plate with mashed potato and peas

What to serve with Bangers and Mash

In the UK, I’m pretty sure it’s illegal to serve Bangers and Mash with anything other than creamy mashed potato.😂 Though any rice would also work great (white, brown, jasmine, basmati), as would pasta, polenta, quinoa, barley, even couscous.

In the event of a low-carb emergency, Creamy Mashed Cauliflower is a great alternative and unexpectedly delicious! – Nagi x


Watch how to make it

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Bangers and Mash (Sausage with Onion Gravy) on a plate with mashed potato and peas

Bangers & Mash (Sausage with Onion Gravy)

Author: Nagi | RecipeTin Eats
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 25 mins
Dinner
Australian, British
5 from 73 votes
Servings4
Tap or hover to scale
Print
  • 1309
Recipe video above. Everybody loves a good sausage recipe, and this is the great British classic! Affectionately known as “Bangers and Mash” to Aussies and Brits, this is so easy to make, you will never ever use a store bought gravy powder! 

Ingredients

  • 1/2 tbsp oil
  • 8 sausages of choice (Note 1)
  • 1 large onion , halved and finely sliced (yellow, white or brown) (Note 2)
  • 2 garlic cloves , minced
  • 3 tbsp flour (plain)
  • 2 cups beef stock/broth , low sodium, store bought or homemade (Note 3)
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

To Serve

  • Mashed potato
  • Peas

Instructions

  • Cook sausages: Heat oil in a large skillet / fry pan over medium high heat. Add sausages and cook, turning, until browned as much as possible all over and cooked through. Cook time will differ depending on sausage size – mine take around 8 minutes.
  • Remove sausages onto a plate. Turn heat down to medium.
  • 2 tbsp oil remaining: You need around 2 tbsp oil left in the skillet. If you have much less, add a bit of butter or oil.
  • Saute onion and garlic: Add onion and garlic, cook until golden brown – around 4 minutes.
  • Cook off flour 2 minutes: Add flour and mix through. Then cook, stirring constantly for 2 minutes.
  • Gradually add beef stock: Add about 3/4 cup of beef broth and mix into the onion so it becomes a sludge. Then add remaining beef broth and mix until combined. If it's lumpy, use a whisk to help make it smooth.
  • Thicken gravy: Simmer, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes until the gravy thickens but is slightly thinner than you want – it will thicken more as you serve it.
  • Season: Add salt and pepper. Stir, taste, then add more salt if you want.
  • Serve sausages with plenty of gravy, with mashed potato and peas on the side. (Low carb option – Creamy Cauliflower Mash)

Recipe Notes:

1. Sausages – You can use any sausages you want, classic Bangers and Mash is made with thick pork sausages. I used beef in some of the photos and pork in the video.
If you use low fat sausages, they will not drop as much juice and fat when cooking so the gravy will not be as tasty.
2. Onion –  I like making onion gravy because it adds flavour, fills out the gravy and makes it so you can smother the sausages in gravy. But it is optional – you can skip it if you want.
3. Beef broth/liquid stock – I really like making my gravy with beef rather than chicken broth because it has a more intense flavour and it gives the gravy a nicer deep brown colour. But you can use chicken if you prefer – the gravy will be a lighter colour.
If you use homemade beef stock, you’ll really elevate this humble comfort food to another level!
4. Nutrition per serving, assuming 4 servings. I use very juicy, fatty pork sausages which accounts for 593 calories of the total shown below, so if you use leaner sausages, the calories per serving will be less!

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 333gCalories: 666cal (33%)Carbohydrates: 7.6g (3%)Protein: 36.4g (73%)Fat: 53.4g (82%)Saturated Fat: 16.6g (104%)Trans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 147mg (49%)Sodium: 1703mg (74%)Potassium: 632mg (18%)Fiber: 0.8g (3%)Sugar: 1.2g (1%)Vitamin A: 50IU (1%)Vitamin C: 5mg (6%)Calcium: 40mg (4%)Iron: 2.9mg (16%)
Keywords: bangers and mash, sausage with onion gravy
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @RecipeTinEats.

Originally published October 2016. Updated in October 2021 with new photos and a new video.

I love a good sausage recipe!

Sausages are a great shortcut way to a quick tasty meal because they’re loaded with extra flavour. Think beyond just cooking them whole – squeeze the meat out and cook it like mince meat!

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Life of Dozer

Look who’s in his usual position….and don’t miss Dozer and his cheeky eye balling of the sausages in the cooking video! 😉

Bangers and Mash (Sausage with Onion Gravy) - epic comfort food at its best! recipetineats.com

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230 Comments

  1. William Robertson says

    December 16, 2022 at 12:53 pm

    5 stars
    This one would have made my grandma proud! Dang it was tasty

    Reply
  2. Petra says

    December 13, 2022 at 5:40 pm

    Hi Nagi, can i make this one day in advance ?

    Greetings,Petra

    Reply
  3. Bill says

    November 9, 2022 at 12:01 am

    Never “fry” the sausages… ROAST them. You should be cooking the onions slowly as the sausages are roasting. Periodically, pull the sausages out of the oven and drain the fat into the onions as they slowly cook. Use a splash of balsamic vinegar to the onions as this help break them down somewhat. The gravy is gravy to be made at the end with flour and stock.

    Reply
  4. Dale chipchase says

    November 8, 2022 at 2:28 pm

    Made this tonight for dinner. Lucky I had any left after all my tastes during cooking. Very tasty. I will make this again, for sure!!

    Reply
  5. bkwanab says

    October 15, 2022 at 3:05 pm

    British banger ‘bang’, i.e. split, because they contain up to 20% rusk which absorbs the fat during cooking and expands, splitting the casing. sausages without rusk and like braising beef that is too lean. Dry and tasteless.

    Good recipe. Thank you for including the peas. very traditional.

    Reply
  6. Hilary says

    September 13, 2022 at 10:52 pm

    5 stars
    Another dish that was a hit with the family. Great comfort food.
    Thanks once again Nagi.

    Reply
  7. Yuck! says

    September 1, 2022 at 11:11 pm

    I’ve used several of your recipes as bases for meals before and they’ve all been good, so I was amazed how truly awful this was!

    *3 tablespoons of flour?*

    I put this much flour in and I had to use MORE THAN DOUBLE the stock to try to get rid of the lumps! My gravy kept boiling away and the horrid lumps remained!

    In the end I had to toss the whole gravy and start from scratch… making the gravy the same way I normally do.

    0/5 rating from me!

    Reply
  8. Claude Lillie says

    July 31, 2022 at 7:19 am

    I love to cook, and over time I’m still going for delicious recipes, but that are quicker if I can. Never made this dish, but always wanted to, and happened to buy the sausages today. Delicious, great, easy recipe with pictures. Might I suggest including a weight for the potatoes and vegetables, even though you provide a link to your recipe for the potatoes. Saves thinking time for accuracy when in a rush. Now a favorite of mine! Thank you, Nagi. |:-)

    Reply
  9. Karen says

    July 21, 2022 at 1:13 am

    Yum.
    Question,has anyone ever used smoked sausage for this dish?

    Reply
  10. Gina says

    July 9, 2022 at 6:33 pm

    I made the Bangers and Mash with onion gravy! It was delicious I’ll definitely be making it again. Thank you
    Gina

    Reply
  11. Debbie says

    July 4, 2022 at 3:40 am

    5 stars
    I have never made gravy from scratch before trying this recipe and it was so delicious! I used store bought stock so I can only imagine this would have been much tastier with homemade stock. Need to try that too! The overall dish is an obvious Brit classic so I enjoyed my dinner yesterday.

    Reply
  12. Shirley Iles says

    June 21, 2022 at 12:06 pm

    Nagi I love all your recipes. Haven’t had a failure yet.

    Reply
  13. leeuk says

    May 6, 2022 at 7:22 pm

    5 stars
    Just add a drop or two of liquid browning (i use sarsons) to your chicken gravy to give it that thick beef gravy colour and look and a smidge of marmite/vegemite for a bit of non-red meat depth.I have to do this as my other half won’t touch red meat in any form. You can get some really nice chicken sausages,cumberland or lincolnshire style are great but be prepaired to spend just a little extra.
    p.s. doing this later with loads of buttery,buttery mash.

    Reply
  14. Meg says

    May 2, 2022 at 2:12 pm

    I’ve always added HP Sauce or Worcestershire Sauce to mine to oomph the flavour – also makes up for when your sausages aren’t super high quality/flavourful. Just typing this takes me back to winters of my childhood. Unfortunately it’s a warm sunny autumn day here but will add the ingredients to my shopping list and hope for a rainy weekend 🙂

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      May 2, 2022 at 6:11 pm

      HP is the bomb with sausages (and on bacon egg rolls!!) N x

      Reply
  15. Eric says

    April 1, 2022 at 11:26 am

    5 stars
    This delicious and simple recipe was perfect for the high quality bangers we scored at our local farmers market. We added cranberry sauce as a side. I might add a tiny bit of sugar to my gravy next time. Thanks, Nagi!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      April 1, 2022 at 1:15 pm

      I am happy that you liked it Eric! N x

      Reply
    • bkwanab says

      October 15, 2022 at 3:08 pm

      5 stars
      Try Branston Pickle instead of the cranberry sauce and please don’t add the sugar. I’m sure you’re sweet enough as you are.

      Reply
  16. Laia says

    March 30, 2022 at 12:57 am

    Hi Nagi!

    Quick question… How long does the onion gravy keep??

    Laia x

    Reply
    • bkwanab says

      October 15, 2022 at 3:11 pm

      Freeze it and it will keep for weeks and probably months. You can buy frozen ‘French Onions Soup’ from Costco when it’s available and I’ve kept some for over a year in the deep freezer.

      Reply
  17. Tamra says

    March 22, 2022 at 1:01 pm

    5 stars
    Made this for our small group. Doubled the recipe and used mashed cauliflower. Delish! Everyone loved it! My first time ever making gravy from scratch. Recipe was easy for someone who doesn’t love being in the kitchen. Thank you, Nagi!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      March 22, 2022 at 5:40 pm

      I am happy that you liked it Tamra! N x

      Reply
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