Guinness Gravy Recipe
If you’re looking to enrich your roast dinners and cozy up classic comfort foods, this Guinness Gravy Recipe is your new secret weapon. The hearty, malty notes of Guinness stout give the gravy incredible depth, while roasted onions and a hint of Worcestershire sauce add savory whispers in every spoonful. Pour it generously over mashed potatoes, sausages, or roast beef, and you’ll see why this recipe has become a beloved favorite not just for special occasions, but any time you want easy, soul-warming flavor on the table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of the Guinness Gravy Recipe lies in both its simplicity and the big impact of each ingredient. Every element has a role to play, whether it’s creating silkiness, unlocking savor, or building that unmistakable rich color. Here’s what you’ll need, plus a little friendly help to make each item shine:
- Unsalted butter (2 tablespoons): Softens onions beautifully and creates a creamy base for the roux.
- Small onion, finely chopped (1): The secret to sweet, mellow background flavor and a touch of texture.
- Garlic, minced (2 cloves): Adds just the right amount of nuance and warmth to balance the stout.
- All-purpose flour (2 tablespoons): The thickener that transforms this from broth to luscious gravy—take your time cooking it for a rich flavor.
- Guinness stout (1 cup): The heart of this recipe—choose Guinness Extra Stout for the best deep, malty character.
- Beef broth (1 cup): Provides savory backbone and ensures a pourable consistency.
- Worcestershire sauce (1 tablespoon): A splash of umami for irresistible complexity.
- Dijon mustard, optional (1 teaspoon): Adds subtle sharpness and brightness, especially if you love layers of flavor.
- Black pepper (1/2 teaspoon): For gentle heat and balance with the rich stout.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Essential to bring the whole gravy together—taste at the end and add more if needed.
- Brown sugar, optional (1 teaspoon): If your Guinness is especially bold, this helps round out any bitterness.
How to Make Guinness Gravy Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Start by melting the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once it begins to foam, add the chopped onion. Let it cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft, fragrant, and tinged with golden brown. Toss in the minced garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds—just enough to mellow the bite and unleash its aroma.
Step 2: Make the Roux
Sprinkle the flour evenly over the buttery onions, stirring constantly to coat everything. Allow the flour to cook for about 1 to 2 minutes; this step creates the base that thickens the Guinness Gravy Recipe, and cooking it helps eliminate any raw flour taste. Look for the mixture to become golden and bubbly—your kitchen should smell toasty and inviting!
Step 3: Add the Guinness and Liquids
Slowly pour in the Guinness stout, whisking briskly to banish any lumps and making sure to scrape up all those delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard (if using), black pepper, salt, and brown sugar (if you want a slightly sweeter edge). Stir everything together until smooth and well-combined.
Step 4: Simmer and Thicken
Turn up the heat just enough to bring the gravy to a gentle simmer, then reduce to a low bubble. Let it cook uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your ideal silky consistency. During this time, the alcohol will cook off, leaving behind only deep flavor notes. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed—a little extra dash of salt or pepper might be all it takes to make it sing.
Step 5: Strain and Serve
If you love a smooth finish, strain the gravy through a fine mesh sieve into a warm dish or serving jug, pressing on the solids to extract every drop. Serve the Guinness Gravy Recipe piping hot over your favorite meats, potatoes, or pub classics. Don’t be shy with that pour—this is comfort food at its best!
How to Serve Guinness Gravy Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of finely chopped fresh parsley or chives adds a fleck of color and gentle freshness, making the rich tones of the Guinness Gravy Recipe truly pop on the plate. For a rustic touch, a crack of black pepper or a few crispy fried onions can be absolutely irresistible on top.
Side Dishes
This gravy was practically made for roast beef, shepherd’s pie, or that classic favorite: bangers and mash. Try it with roasted root vegetables, buttery mashed potatoes, or Yorkshire puddings—anything you’d serve with brown gravy will love this bold twist. Even a simple pile of steamed greens can feel special smothered in this goodness!
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress, serve the gravy in a warm gravy boat set atop a rustic wooden board with all the trimmings. For a casual meal, ladle it generously right at the table so everyone can help themselves. It’s also fantastic poured over open-faced beef or mushroom sandwiches, or as a surprise drizzle over a savory bread pudding.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Transfer any extra Guinness Gravy Recipe to an airtight container and let it cool before stashing in the fridge. It’ll keep nicely for up to 3 days—just make sure to stir before reheating, as the ingredients can settle a bit.
Freezing
The gravy freezes beautifully! Pour cooled gravy into a freezer-safe bag or container, leaving an inch of space at the top for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.
Reheating
To reheat, simply warm the gravy in a saucepan over low to medium heat, stirring so it returns to its silky texture. Add a splash of beef broth or water if needed to loosen it up. For a single serving, the microwave also works—stir every 30 seconds until warmed through.
FAQs
Can I use another stout besides Guinness?
Absolutely! While the classic Guinness Gravy Recipe is built around Guinness’s signature maltiness, you can try another full-bodied stout or porter. Just know that the flavor may shift a little based on the beer’s bitterness and sweetness.
Is there a vegetarian version of this gravy?
You can easily make a vegetarian Guinness Gravy Recipe by substituting vegetable broth for beef broth and using plant-based butter. The depth from the Guinness and onions will still shine through beautifully.
Does the alcohol cook out during simmering?
Most of the alcohol in the Guinness stout will evaporate during the simmering process, leaving behind just its deep, roasted flavor. If you’re concerned, let the gravy simmer for a few extra minutes to ensure the alcohol content is minimal.
What’s the best way to avoid lumps in my gravy?
Whisking slowly and thoroughly when adding the Guinness and broth is the key, and making sure your flour is fully incorporated with the butter and onions (that roux stage!) helps prevent lumps. If you still get a few, straining the gravy at the end works wonders.
Can I make this in advance for a gathering?
Definitely! The Guinness Gravy Recipe can be made a day or two beforehand and simply reheated before serving. It actually tastes even richer after a rest, making it ideal for holiday dinners or Sunday roasts.
Final Thoughts
Few condiments transform a meal as completely as a homemade Guinness Gravy Recipe! Rich, bold, and surprisingly easy, it brings that cozy pub feeling into any kitchen. I hope you’ll give it a try—you might just find yourself pouring it over everything in sight. Enjoy every savory, soul-soothing bite!
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Guinness Gravy Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A rich and savory Guinness gravy recipe that elevates any dish it accompanies. Made with Guinness stout, beef broth, and aromatic seasonings, this Irish-inspired sauce is perfect for pouring over roast beef, sausages, mashed potatoes, or shepherd’s pie.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 cup Guinness stout
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar (optional, to balance bitterness)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Cook onions until soft, then add garlic.
- Add Flour: Sprinkle flour over onions, stir to coat, and cook until golden.
- Introduce Liquids: Slowly whisk in Guinness, then add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings.
- Simmer: Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, adjusting seasoning as needed.
- Strain and Serve: For a smoother texture, strain gravy before serving over desired dishes.
Notes
- For deeper flavor, reduce Guinness separately before adding.
- Best paired with beef dishes or bangers and mash.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Irish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
