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Southern Onion Gravy Recipe [homemade & super easy]

Southern Onion Gravy is a rich and savory classic recipe and a Southern comfort food staple, featuring caramelized onions in a flavorful homemade gravy. Perfect for smothering biscuits, mashed potatoes, or your favorite comfort dish, this Southern Onion Gravy will elevate your meal to new levels of deliciousness.

A good serving of creamy Southern Onion Gravy with mashed potatoes.

What is Southern Onion Gravy

Southern Onion Gravy is a delectable sauce rooted in Southern American cuisine, renowned for its savory and sweet flavor profile. Made by slow-cooking onions until golden and caramelized, this rich and velvety gravy is then infused with a blend of seasonings to create a comforting and versatile accompaniment. Whether drizzled over biscuits, mashed potatoes, or fried chicken, Southern Onion Gravy adds a hearty and flavorful touch to any meal.

Ingredients needed to make Southern Onion Dressing collected on a board.

Is Southern Onion Gravy creamy?

Southern Onion Gravy is a classic Southern staple that has been enjoyed for generations. This type of gravy is distinct from other gravies because of its unique flavor profile, which is derived from caramelized onions. The onions are cooked low-and-slow until they become soft and sweet, and they are then combined with a well-crafted broth or stock. This slow-cooking process allows the onions to release their natural sugars, which results in a deep, rich flavor that is both savory and slightly sweet.

The texture is often smooth and velvety due to the cooking process. However, it’s important to note that this is not a creamy gravy typically creamy in the traditional sense. Unlike other gravies that contain dairy or cream, the creaminess of Southern Onion Gravy is achieved through the natural caramelization of onions and the incorporation of a flavorful broth or stock. This hearty and flavorful gravy is a perfect accompaniment to many southern dishes, such as biscuits, fried chicken, and country-fried steak.

In summary, this easy Onion Gravy is a deliciously rich and savory gravy that is a staple in many southern households. Its unique flavor comes from the caramelized onions, which are slow-cooked until they become soft and sweet. The result is a flavorful gravy that is slightly sweet and savory, with a smooth and velvety texture that is achieved naturally. Whether you’re a fan of Southern cuisine or just looking to try something new, Southern Onion Gravy is a must-try!

Step-by-step pictures showing how sliced onions are caramelized.

What is Southern Onion Gravy served with?

Southern Onion Gravy is perfect for adding depth and richness to your Southern-inspired meals. Whether you are serving up classic comfort foods like biscuits, mashed potatoes, or fried chicken, or you are looking for a delicious topping for your grits or country-fried steak, Southern Onion Gravy is the perfect addition to your meal.

The savory and robust flavor is what sets it apart from other condiments. The slow-cooked onions provide a deep, caramelized flavor that is both sweet and savory, while the spices add a subtle kick of heat that is sure to awaken your taste buds. The gravy is also incredibly versatile, allowing you to adjust the flavor profile to suit your tastes. Whether you prefer a milder or spicier flavor, Southern Onion Gravy can be tailored to your preferences, making it a great addition to any meal.

One of the best things about this gravy is how easy it is to make. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a delicious gravy that will elevate your meal to the next level. And because the gravy can be made in advance and stored in the fridge or freezer, it is the perfect addition to your meal prep routine. Simply reheat the gravy when you are ready to use it, and you will have a delicious and flavorful condiment ready to go.

Step-by-step pictures showing how the basic gravy is made.

What do I need to make southern onion gravy?

You only need to get simple ingredients that are basic pantry staples ready to make a rich onion gravy without heavy cream. Often you will find recipes that require olive oil or other vegetable oils, but not here.

For this homemade onion gravy recipe, you need

  • 2 sliced onions, medium size
  • 4 tbsp dairy free Butter, divided
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup vegetable broth
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • Salt, black pepper to taste

The caramelized onions are added back into the base gravy.

How to make Southern Onion Gravy

Begin by melting half of the butter in a pan or large skillet. Add the onions and cook them for around 10 minutes on medium-high heat until they are lightly caramelized. Remove the onions from the pan and set them aside.

Next, add the remaining butter to the pan and stir in the flour. Gradually pour in the vegetable broth while stirring constantly. Cook the mixture until it thickens and becomes creamy. Add soy sauce to the mixture.

Finally, add the caramelized onions back to the gravy and cook for 2 more minutes.

Top view of Southern Onion Gravy in a pan.

How to store Southern Onion Gravy

To store Southern Onion Gravy, allow it to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Seal the container tightly to prevent air from entering, which helps maintain freshness. Store the gravy in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

If you plan to keep it for a longer period, consider freezing it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. Before reheating, thaw frozen gravy in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat either in a saucepan on the stove over low to medium heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally until it reaches the desired temperature.

Always ensure the gravy is heated thoroughly before serving.

Top view of creamy mashed potatoes served with Southern Onion Gravy.

Other recipes to try

Collage of two photos of Southern Onion Gravy with recipe title text.

If you think like me that this is the best onion gravy, share it on Instagram or Facebook.

Enjoy, Florian.

 

A good serving of creamy Southern Onion Gravy with mashed potatoes.

Southern Onion Gravy

Yield: 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Southern Onion Gravy is a rich and savory classic recipe and a Southern comfort food staple, featuring caramelized onions in a flavorful homemade gravy. Perfect for smothering biscuits, mashed potatoes, or your favorite comfort dish, this Southern Onion Gravy will elevate your meal to new levels of deliciousness.

Ingredients

  • 2 sliced onions, medium size
  • 4 tbsp dairy free Butter, divided
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup vegetable broth
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • salt, black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Begin by melting half of the butter in a pan or large skillet. Ingredients needed to make Southern Onion Dressing collected on a board.
  2. Add the onions and cook them for around 10 minutes on medium-high heat until they are lightly caramelized. Remove the onions from the pan and set them aside.Step-by-step pictures showing how sliced onions are caramelized.
  3. Next, add the remaining butter to the pan and stir in the flour. Gradually pour in the vegetable broth while stirring constantly. Step-by-step pictures showing how the basic gravy is made,
  4. Cook the mixture until it thickens and becomes creamy. Add soy sauce to the mixture.The caramelized onions are added back into the base gravy.
  5. Finally, add the caramelized onions back to the gravy and cook for 2 more minutes.Top view of Southern Onion Gravy in a pan.

Notes

To store Southern Onion Gravy, allow it to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Seal the container tightly to prevent air from entering, which helps maintain freshness. Store the gravy in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 141Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 845mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 2g

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