Why You’ll Love This Recipe 

• Incredibly Rich and Flavourful - Prepared with coffee, red wine, soy sauce, and mustard.
  
  

• Perfect Dish to Add to Your Thanksgiving Menu - This rich gravy pairs superbly with fluffy mashed potatoes and pan-fried Thick-Cut Filet.
  
  

• Great Make-Ahead Dish - Cook the gravy ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days to reduce holiday hosting stress.

Key Ingredients for Caramelized Onion Gravy

• Onions bring sweetness and savory depth while also adding texture.
  
  

• Fresh Herbs like thyme, sage, rosemary, and bay leaf add complexity to the gravy with their herbaceous, earthy, peppery aromas.
  
  

• Vegetable Stock gives the gravy body and flavour base.
  
  

• Coffee and Red Wine add richness and depth.
  
  

• Mustard and Vinegar bring a layer of acidity, which adds brightness.  

• Maple Syrup encourages caramelisation of the onions. 

Equipment You’ll Need 

• Cutting board

• Sharp knife

• Measuring spoons and cups 

• Measuring jug 

• Wooden spoon for stirring 

• Medium-sized saucepan  

• Tongs, fork, or tweezers for removing herbs   

How To Prepare Caramelized Onion Gravy

1. Choppity Chop

Peel and slice the onions into strips/slivers. 

2. Caramelise away 

Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add onion, herbs, salt, and pepper, and cook it down until it starts to caramelise. Add maple syrup, and continue cooking. 

3. Build the Gravy

In a jug, combine vegetable stock, red wine, coffee, vinegar, soy sauce, mustard, and corn starch. Once the onions are nicely caramelized, pour over the liquid mixture, whisk well, and continue cooking for 20 minutes. 

4. Finish

Remove the gravy from the heat, discard the herbs, and taste to adjust the seasoning. 

5. Cook the Filets 

Remove the filets from the packaging and season with salt and pepper on both sides.

Heat olive oil in a nonstick pan over medium heat. Add the filets and a few sprigs of thyme. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side (I also like to sizzle the sides-sides a bit) and finish with a knob of butter. Once nicely browned, remove the filets from the pan and serve immediately with caramelized onion gravy and fluffy mashed potatoes. 

Tips & Tricks

• Take it Slow. Onions first release water before they start to caramelise, which takes time, but it’s definitely worth it.  
  
  

• Use Good Ingredients. Flavourful vegetable stock, good red wine, aromatic herbs, and nice coffee all contribute to the end flavour of the gravy.
  
  

• Taste and Adjust. Once the gravy is cooked, taste it and adjust the seasoning by adding more salt or acidity (with mustard or vinegar). 

FAQ

Can I prepare this recipe without wine?

You can omit wine and substitute it with vegetable stock and 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar, or alcohol-free wine. Keep in mind that wine adds complexity, richness, and gentle acidity. 

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, swap soy sauce for tamari, and make sure you are using gluten-free vegetable stock and mustard. 

How can I take this gravy to the next level?

Not to toot my own horn, but this gravy is already quite delicious as it is. You could make it even better by using super flavourful homemade veggie stock, or soaking some dried mushrooms in a store-bought stock to add more umami.   

I don’t like the texture in my gravy. Can I omit the onions?

Caramelized onions are the heart and soul of this gravy, and it pains me to discard them just like that. You could strain it when cooked, but in that case, I recommend using this gravy recipe instead. 

Can I make this ahead of time?

Of course, prepare this gravy up to 3 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge until you are ready to use it. Heat up and simmer for a few minutes before serving.