English Bangers and Mash with Onion Gravy Recipe (2024)

  • Recipes by World Cuisine
  • Europe
  • Northern European
  • British

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.

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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

Ingredients

  • 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.

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

What are the two main components of the dish bangers and mash? ›

bangers and mash, a common British dish consisting of sausages (“bangers”) and mashed potatoes (“mash”). It is traditionally served with onion gravy.

What type of sausage is used for bangers and mash? ›

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 bangers and mash in America? ›

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.

Why do Brits call them bangers? ›

The term "bangers" is attributed (in common usage in the UK) to the fact that sausages made during World War I, when there were meat shortages, were made with such a high water content that they were liable to pop under high heat when cooked.

What's the difference between a sausage and a banger? ›

A banger is a nickname that the British and Irish give to sausages. The nickname “bangers” originated during World War II, when rationing was common and meat was scarce. Bangers have two distinct characteristics – they have a much softer texture and are much less salty than their American and continental counterparts.

What do you eat with bangers and mash? ›

What To Serve With Bangers And Mash - 45 Tasty Sides
  • Meat. • 1 portion Garlic mushrooms and bacon, creamy.
  • Produce. • 1 portion Braised leeks. • 1 portion British baked beans.
  • Bread & Baked Goods. • 1 portion Yorkshire pudding.
  • Dairy. • 1 portion Cauliflower cheese.
  • Deli. • 1 portion Coleslaw.

What is a banger in British slang? ›

Banger has several meanings in the UK. A sausage- bangers and mash. A car that's on its last legs- he's driving an old banger until his new car arrives.

Do Irish people eat bangers and mash? ›

Bangers and mash is a quintessential British dish of sausage and mashed potatoes, typically served with onion gravy. It's roots extend to Ireland where you'll find the dish in many local pubs. I found “Irish Style Banger Sausages” at my whole foods and knew I had to try them out.

Can you buy onion gravy? ›

TESCO FINEST ONION GRAVY 500G - Tesco Groceries.

What is the British bubble and squeak? ›

Bubble and squeak is a British dish made from cooked potatoes and cabbage, mixed together and fried. The food writer Howard Hillman classes it as one of the "great peasant dishes of the world".

What is an Irish banger? ›

Bangers is a centuries-old traditional British and Irish recipe. They consist of lean and fat pork that is ground up tossed with spices and herbs that is then encased in hog casing to make sausage. There are many variations of Bangers when it comes to the ingredients depending on who makes them.

What do British people put gravy on? ›

Brits have also confessed to pouring it over pancakes, cereal, potatoes, hash browns and rice. The research found that the top dishes to enjoy gravy are Roast Beef, Chicken and turkey! These are followed by Yorkshire pudding, sausage, and mash.

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.

Does Trader Joe's have bangers? ›

Irish Bangers & Champ | Trader Joe's.

What do Americans call a banger? ›

Many countries in America also say “banger”, especially the Commonwealth members. Others use the ordinary word “sausage”.

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 are bangers in an English breakfast? ›

Bangers : The Quintessential British Sausage

Bangers are not just one kind of sausage, the term bangers can refer to any British sausage and you will a variety of British sausages in the English breakfast depending on what part of the country you are in.

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