English Bangers and Mash with Onion Gravy Recipe (2024)

  • British
  • Stovetop Sausages
  • Sausages
  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Pork Mains

This classic British pub dish is rich and comforting, perfect for soaking up a belly full of brown ale.

By

Sydney Oland

English Bangers and Mash with Onion Gravy Recipe (1)

Sydney Oland

Sydney Oland lives in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, where she develops recipes and owns and operates three businesses: a bean-to-bar chocolate company, an ice cream company, and a collective food production space. Previously, she wrote brunch and British food recipe columns for Serious Eats.

Learn about Serious Eats'Editorial Process

Updated March 17, 2022

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English Bangers and Mash with Onion Gravy Recipe (2)

Why It Works

  • Mild pork sausage doesn’t overpower the flavors of the gravy and potatoes.
  • An onion-infused gravy adds texture and flavor to the dish.

Bangers and mash are a public house classic, some fatty sausages with buttery potatoes perfect for soaking up an afternoon's worth of ale. An inexpensive way to fill up your stomach, the classic cheap banger has given way to today's gastropubs replacing the fatty pork sausage with anything from spiced lamb to chicken-and-apple adaptations of the classic—although you can still find classic versions of this popular dish throughout Britain as a mainstay of pub menus.

Onion gravy is the simple sauce that normally tops the pile of sausage and mash. There are many versions of this gravy but the most important part of this simple sauce is making sure your onions are a deep even brown with no scorching. There is no real secret on how to properly cook up your onions; just keep an eye on them and toss them often to make sure they cook evenly.

English Bangers and Mash with Onion Gravy Recipe (3)

Once you've figured out your onions it's a matter of stock. I've called for beef stock in this recipe, but if you have some good chicken or even vegetable stock, use that instead. Just keep in mind that using a vegetable stock will result in a thinner final gravy.

Finding some proper bangers can be challenging depending on where you are living. If your area has a good butcher, that's always a good place to start when searching out sausages. If, after much searching, you find yourself without bangers (and without the proper equipment to make a batch yourself), then in a pinch substitute any sort of plain, fatty pork sausage. Bratwurst always seems closer to a proper banger than a mild Italian sausage in my mind. But use your own judgment.

October 17, 2012

Recipe Details

English Bangers and Mash with Onion Gravy Recipe

Active35 mins

Total35 mins

Serves4 servings

  • 4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks

  • Kosher salt

  • 6 tablespoons butter

  • 1 cup milk

  • Freshly ground black pepper

  • 3 medium onions, thinly sliced (about 3 cups sliced onions)

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 2 1/2 tablespoons flour

  • 2 1/2 cups store-bought or homemade low-sodium beef or chicken broth

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 8 bangers (about 2 pounds, see notes)

Directions

  1. Place potatoes in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Season well with salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce to a simmer, and cook until potatoes are soft, about 10 minutes. Drain and place back in saucepan, add 3 tablespoons butter and ⅔ cup milk, and mash with a potato masher, adding more milk if a looser consistency is desired. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Keep warm.

    English Bangers and Mash with Onion Gravy Recipe (4)

  2. Heat remaining 3 tablespoons butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until melted. Add onions and bay leaf and cook, stirring often, until onions are brown, about 15 minutes.

    English Bangers and Mash with Onion Gravy Recipe (5)

  3. Sprinkle with flour and mix until flour is evenly incorporated with onions. Stirring constantly, slowly pour stock over onion mixture. Bring to a simmer over high heat, stirring often, then lower heat to medium and cook until thickened, about 6 minutes. Remove and discard bay leaf. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and keep warm.

    English Bangers and Mash with Onion Gravy Recipe (6)

  4. Heat vegetable oil in a large stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Reduce heat to medium-low. Place bangers in the skillet and cook until browned on one side, about 5 minutes; flip bangers and cover. Cook until bangers are fully cooked, about 6 minutes longer.

    English Bangers and Mash with Onion Gravy Recipe (7)

  5. Divide mash between 4 plates, place 2 bangers on each pile of mash, and top with onion gravy. Serve with brown ale and extra gravy and strong mustard passed alongside.

    English Bangers and Mash with Onion Gravy Recipe (8)

Special Equipment

Nonstick skillet, stainless steel skillet.

Notes

Bangers are a British pork sausage. If they are unavailable, any mild pork sausage can be used in their place.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
524Calories
27g Fat
61g Carbs
12g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories524
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 27g35%
Saturated Fat 13g64%
Cholesterol 53mg18%
Sodium 1022mg44%
Total Carbohydrate 61g22%
Dietary Fiber 6g22%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 12g
Vitamin C 24mg119%
Calcium 141mg11%
Iron 3mg17%
Potassium 1440mg31%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

English Bangers and Mash with Onion Gravy Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the American equivalent of bangers? ›

If, after much searching, you find yourself without bangers (and without the proper equipment to make a batch yourself), then in a pinch substitute any sort of plain, fatty pork sausage. Bratwurst always seems closer to a proper banger than a mild Italian sausage in my mind. But use your own judgment.

How do you make James Martin onion gravy? ›

Method. Pop the onions into a pan with lard/fat and cook until deeply coloured. Add the madeira stock, marmite and Bovril. Bring to the boil then simmer for 5 minutes, season, then finish with butter.

What is the best sausage for bangers and mash? ›

Sausage – Irish bangers would be best, but you can simply substitute for pork sausage. Onions – Yellow onions work great; however, you can use sweet or white onions as well. Butter – This will be used for searing the sausage, Wine – This part is optional, but wine is used to make a rich sauce.

What does bangers and mash mean in British slang? ›

bangers and mash, a common British dish consisting of sausages (“bangers”) and mashed potatoes (“mash”). It is traditionally served with onion gravy. Bangers and mash is a staple of the country's overall cuisine and is a popular pub dish.

Are bangers just brats? ›

Sausages, brats, bangers, and dogs are terms that are often used when referring to any of the fresh sausage links we adore for their ability to pair well with ball games and beer.

What do British bangers taste like? ›

Bangers, on the other hand, are more savory, containing a greater quantity of herbs like thyme, sage and marjoram, which is one reason why they go so well with mashed potatoes and gravy.

Why is my onion gravy too bitter? ›

Why is my onion gravy too bitter? If your onion gravy is bitter, you may have used an old onion. Another culprit may be something that got burnt along the way. Be sure to use fresh ingredients and keep a watchful eye on the onions as they cook.

Why does my onion gravy taste sweet? ›

Onions become sweet when cooked in a large amount because the extended cooking time allows the natural sugars in the onions to caramelize, creating a sweet flavor. The amount is irrelevant. What matters is the cooking.

What is the difference between Irish bangers and English bangers? ›

Both are usually made with pork meat, and both include a filler of some sort as a requirement along with herbs and garlic. Irish sausages contain eggs and “rusk”, while English sausages have only breadcrumbs. These juicy little breakfast favourites also sometimes include beef added into the mixture.

Is bangers and mash Scottish or English? ›

Bangers and mash, also known as sausages and mash, is a quintessential British meal.

What do Americans call bangers and mash? ›

Bangers and mash, also known as sausages and mash, is a traditional British dish consisting of sausages and mashed potato. It may consist of one of a variety of flavoured sausages made of pork, lamb, beef, or a meat alternative. The dish is usually served with onion gravy, but may also include fried onions and peas.

What do they call hot dogs in England? ›

Strangely enough us Brits call frankfurters, frankfurters. What as a slang name we call 'bangers' are one of the many varieties of British style sausage. It's not a term that is used that much really these days. About the only time we will use it is to refer to that good old fashioned British dish 'bangers & mash'.

What is a masher in British slang? ›

a man who makes advances, especially to women he does not know, with a view to physical intimacy.

What are bangers called in the US? ›

Irish Sausage is also commonly known as “English Sausage”, “British Sausage, and as “Bangers” outside of the UK; the terms are used interchangeably. The traditional recipe consists of ground pork, a rusk bread filler, eggs, seasonings and a natural pork or beef casing.

What is bangers and mash in America? ›

Bangers and mash consists of sausages ("bangers") served with mashed potatoes ("mash") and onion gravy. While lamb or beef sausages can be used, the most traditional choice is pork – specifically the Cumberland variety, a type of pork sausage seasoned with pepper, thyme, sage, nutmeg and cayenne.

What is an English style banger? ›

Although a variety of sausages can be used, bangers are usually a mild, fresh pork sausage made with a bread filler and seasoned with spices that may include pepper, thyme, sage, nutmeg and mace and stuffed into a natural casing.

What is another name for bangers? ›

What is another word for banger?
sausagelink
hot dogweenie
Viennese sausageVienna sausage
redhotred-hot
pigs in a blanketpigs in blankets
7 more rows

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