Red Wine Onion Gravy

Onion gravy in large skillet with spoon.

Course: Sauce

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 1

Total Time: 1 15

Servings: people

Calories: 122kcal

Author: Platings and Pairings

Learn how to make gravy without drippings using this red wine onion gravy recipe! Luxurious and incredibly savory, it’s an easy homemade gravy made from simple, yet flavor-packed ingredients.

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Equipment

Large Skillet
Whisk

Ingredients

1/2 stick unsalted butter 4 Tablespoons
2 large yellow onions cut in half and thinly sliced
1/2 cup red wine
2 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried
2 cups low sodium beef broth
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 Tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium high heat.
Add the sliced onions and cook for about 30 minutes until beginning to caramelize.
Add the red wine and thyme, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
Add the broth, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, and pepper, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
Remove the thyme stems.
In a small bowl whisk together the cornstarch and 2 TBSP water. Slowly add the cornstarch mixture to the gravy whisking to combine. Boil just until thickened. Season with additional salt and pepper, to taste.
Enjoy.

Notes

Storing and freezing

If you don’t want to use the onion gravy right away, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. It freezes well, too! Pour it into a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Before serving, let the frozen gravy thaw in the fridge. Give it a good stir the next day, then reheat it in a saucepan on the stove or in the microwave.

Tips and tricks

Take your time when caramelizing the onions. This process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Caramelizing the onions for 30 minutes will give the gravy a mild flavor, whereas caramelizing them for 45 minutes to 1 hour will yield sweeter notes.
Don’t stir the onions too frequently. Letting them saute undisturbed will help them caramelize faster.
For more tips on caramelizing onions, check out my guide on how to saute or caramelize onions perfectly.

Variations

Vegetarian/vegan onion gravy – Forget the dairy and meat by sauteing the onions in olive oil and swapping the beef broth for vegetable broth. Ensure that the red wine and Worcestershire sauce is vegan-friendly, too.
Add mushrooms – Sauteed mushrooms will give the gravy an even deeper earthy flavor. If you can, cook them in a separate pan so their flavor isn’t muted and their texture stays nice and meaty.
Add more herbs – Use the fresh herbs of your choice in this gravy recipe! Fresh thyme, rosemary, sage, and parsley would all lend a gorgeous herbaceous element. For easy removal, make a bouquet garni by tying the fresh herbs together using kitchen twine.
Instead of wine – While almost all of the alcohol in the gravy is cooked out, you can make this recipe without wine if you prefer. Replace the wine with more beef broth, a splash of balsamic vinegar, or leave it out entirely.

Nutrition