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
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…
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.
What you need to make Bangers and Mash
Here’s all you need to make Bangers and Mash:
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
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.
Saute onion and garlic in the sausage drippings until the onions are translucent.
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.
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!
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 & Mash (Sausage with Onion Gravy)
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:
Nutrition Information:
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!
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! 😉
That onion gravy just on it’s own with mash is brilliant
Hi Nagi.
This recipe looks delicious!!!
Can I freeze it? xxxx
I would see no reason why not. I’d probably keep the mash seperate and freeze the sausages & gravy together.
So yummy!
Thank you for sharing. This one is going in my recipe box. Great dinner to make, especially on a cold day.
I hadn’t made this for years until I saw this post. Thanks Nagi – made it last night with pork, fennal and fetta sausages, and even though I only had chicken stock it was still very delish
Nagi this recipe is bang on sooo good love your work
🤣🤣😂 Love your puns! N x
Simple but ever so delicious 😋
Yes they are…real comfort food! N x
It’s toad in *the hole
I am British, and for me Toad in the Hole is sausages baked in batter….just plain or batter with herbs added. Delicious and served often during my childhood in the 1940’s.
Same! Also bangers and mash is about the sausages and mashed potato not the gravy.
Yikes! What did I write? 😂
Made this for dinner tonight and OMG!!! This was absolutely delicious!! Will definitely be putting this in the dinner rotation. Thank you!!
Thanks! N x
Fan letter and I haven’t even started cooking. You search the internet, you see Nagi’s smiling face and you press print. What’s in the fridge and pantry, and what would Nagi do ? Tonight ? Manuka honey and hickory beef sausages as bangers. Go Girl,
you haven’t let me down yet ;^) Cheers … CB
Hi Nagi, l’ve made many of your recipes this one included and they are all amazing and delicious, thank you 😋 l just love Dozer peeping in hope 😁 reminds me so much of my dog. Loving your stuff, please don’t ever stop.
He LIVES next to the kitchen bench! lol! N x
I’ve done this dinner, and having been raised in Bournemouth, know what Bangers & Mash taste like. This is bang-on.
Absolutely delicious and so easy to make! My family loved it. Thanks for another great recipe!
Sooooo delishious!! Love all your recipes I have tried. Thank you.!
Hello is this recipe ok to freeze
I am looking forward to making Bangers and Mash. You have such a inspiring site, thank you.
Does anyone know if mild Italian sausages will work for this recipe?
I would like to make this recipe but don’t want to make a trip to the supermarket just for sausage. Thank you !
Hi,
I had lumps in my flour, I stirred non stop for 5 minutes when I added the stock. Any idea what I wrong?
It was delicious even with the lumps. Just wondering for when I make it again. Thanks!
Hi Debra! Just use a whisk, that gets out any lumps 🙂 The trick is to add part of the liquid first and mix to dissolve before adding the rest in. Hope that helps! N x
I meant lumps of flour in the gravy.
(Sorry should have proofread)
Absolutely LOVED this recipe (bangers and Mash). My granny who had 9 bairns and 56 grandchildren…yes wow 56 grandchildren. she cooked bangers and mash onion gravy for years and i followed her recipe. ive just tried najis recipe its delish well done love it..and im sure my granny would approve xx
Absolutely incredible.