Looking for a comforting and hearty meal that’s easy to make? Look no further than this classic British dish. Satisfyingly simple, yet incredibly delicious, this Easy Bangers and Mash recipe features succulent sausages (bangers) served alongside creamy mashed potatoes, and topped with rich onion gravy.
It’s the ultimate comfort food that’s perfect for any day of the week. Whether you’re craving a taste of British cuisine or simply looking for a wholesome meal to enjoy with your family, this Easy Bangers and Mash recipe is sure to hit the spot.
What are Bangers and Mash?
Bangers and Mash is a traditional British dish consisting of sausages (bangers) served with mashed potatoes (mash) and topped with onion gravy. The name “bangers” is believed to come from the sound the sausages make when they sizzle and burst open during cooking. This dish is loved for its simplicity, hearty flavors and comforting appeal.
Why You Should Make this Traditional British Dish
- Simple Ingredients: With just a handful of basic ingredients, this recipe is incredibly easy to make. You likely already have most of the ingredients in your pantry.
- Quick Preparation: This Easy Bangers and Mash recipe requires minimal prep work and cooks up in under an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Comforting Flavor: Indulge in the comforting flavors of tender sausages, creamy mashed potatoes and savory onion gravy. It’s like a warm hug in a bowl!
- Versatile Dish: Customize this recipe to suit your taste preferences. Swap out the type of sausages or add your favorite herbs and spices to the mashed potatoes for a personalized twist.
What Type of Sausages?
Traditionally, bangers and mash are made with pork sausages, particularly those with a high meat content and seasoned with spices like sage, thyme and pepper. However, you can use various types of sausages based on personal preference or availability. Some popular options include:
- Pork sausages: Classic choice with a savory flavor profile.
- Beef sausages: Provide a richer, meatier taste.
- Chicken sausages: Offer a lighter alternative with a mild flavor.
- Vegetarian or vegan sausages: Suitable for those following plant-based diets, typically made from ingredients like soy, mushrooms or grains.
Ingredients and Substitutions for Bangers and Mash
- Russet Potatoes: Easily substitute with Yukon gold, red or white potatoes.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: Use half-and-half or whole milk.
- Yellow Onion: Red or white onions will also work in this traditional British recipe.
- Turbinado Sugar: Granulated sugar is a great substitute.
- Flour: Substitute with a gluten-free flour.
- Beef Stock: Vegetable stock or chicken stock can be used. Red wine is also a great substitution.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Substitute with soy sauce (for vegetarian/vegan option) or Tamari (gluten-free alternative).
- Gravy Master: Use a homemade beef stock reduction, More Than Gourmet Demi Glace or Kitchen Bouquet.
How to Prepare Bangers
There are various methods to prepare bangers for bangers and mash, each offering unique flavors and textures. Oven baking was much easier for me, as I had two pots on the stove, one for the potatoes and one for the onion gravy. Here are some different ways to make bangers:
- Oven-Baked: Place the bangers on a baking tray, drizzle with a little oil and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through, until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Pan-Fried: Heat a skillet over medium heat, add a little oil and cook the bangers, turning occasionally, until they are browned on all sides and cooked through. This method allows for a crispy exterior and juicy interior.
- Grilled: Preheat a grill to medium-high heat and grill the bangers, turning occasionally, until they are charred on the outside and cooked through. This method imparts a smoky flavor to the sausages.
- Poached: Submerge the bangers in simmering water or broth and poach them gently until they are cooked through. This method results in tender and juicy sausages.
- Slow Cooked: Place the bangers in a slow cooker with some liquid (such as broth or beer) and cook on low heat for several hours until they are tender and flavorful. This method is great for infusing the sausages with additional flavors.
How to Make Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Here’s how to achieve those creamy, silky mashed potatoes found in a traditional Bangers and Mash recipe:
- Peel and cut russet potatoes into chunks.
- Boil potatoes until fork-tender.
- Drain potatoes and pass them through a ricer.
- Mix mashed potatoes with warmed cream and butter until smooth.
- Taste for salt.
How to Make Rich Onion Gravy for Easy Bangers and Mash.
The rich onion gravy serves as a rich and flavorful accompaniment to the dish, enhancing the taste of the sausages and mashed potatoes. Cooking the onions low and slow is crucial in this easy bangers and mash recipe to achieve optimal flavor and texture in the onion gravy.
This slow cooking process allows the onions to caramelize gradually, releasing their natural sugars and developing a rich, sweet flavor profile:
- Heat butter in a pot over low heat.
- Add thinly sliced onions and a pinch of salt.
- Cook onions slowly, stirring occasionally, until they are soft and caramelized, which usually takes about 30 minutes.
- Sprinkle turbinado sugar over the onions and cook for a few more minutes.
- Coat the onions with flour and cook for an additional 2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Pour in beef stock, Worcestershire sauce and gravy master.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the gravy has thickened to your desired consistency.
How to Serve and Store Bangers and Mash
Serve your Easy Bangers and Mash piping hot, straight from the stove. Pair it with a dollop of tangy stoneground mustard and a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for extra flavor. Traditionally, this British dish would be served with peas to provide a pop of color and freshness to the dish.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop for a quick and satisfying meal.
More Comfort Food to Love
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Easy Bangers and Mash
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings 1x
Description
Satisfyingly simple, yet incredibly delicious, this Easy Bangers and Mash recipe features succulent sausages (bangers) served alongside creamy mashed potatoes, and topped with rich onion gravy.
Ingredients
Bangers (Sausages):
- 5–6 bangers (sausages)
- 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
Mashed Potatoes:
- 3 russet potatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
Onion Gravy:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
- Pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon turbinado sugar
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups beef stock
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon gravy master
For Serving:
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
- Stoneground mustard
Instructions
- Peel and cut the potatoes into chunks. Boil in salted water until fork-tender.
- While the potatoes are cooking, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the sausages on a baking tray, drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until browned and fully cooked.
- While the sausages are cooking, melt the butter in a pot over medium heat.
- Add the thinly sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and caramelized, about 30 minutes.
- In another pot, heat the heavy cream and butter for the potatoes, until warm.
- Pass the boiled potatoes through a ricer into a large bowl. Gradually, add the warmed cream and butter mixture (you may not use it all), mixing until smooth and creamy. Season with salt to taste.
- In the pot with the caramelized onions, sprinkle the turbinado sugar over the onions and cook for a few more minutes.
- Add the flour and stir to coat the onions. Cook for an additional two minutes to cook off the raw flour taste.
- Pour in the beef stock, Worcestershire sauce and gravy master. Bring to a simmer and cook until the gravy has thickened.
- To serve, spoon a generous portion of mashed potatoes onto a plate. Top with cooked sausages and ladle the onion gravy over the top.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve with a dollop of stoneground mustard on the side.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- Begin by preparing the potatoes first, as they typically take the longest to cook. While they’re boiling, you can work on other components of the dish.
- Optimize your time by starting the sausages in the oven early on. This allows them to cook slowly and evenly while you focus on other tasks.
- Utilize the time while the sausages are cooking to start caramelizing the onions for the gravy. Slow-cooking them ensures maximum flavor development.
- Keep an eye on the timing to ensure that all components of the dish finish cooking around the same time. Adjust cooking times as needed to synchronize the preparation of the sausages, mashed potatoes, and onion gravy for a cohesive and delicious meal.
- Don’t forget to season each component as you go. Seasoning the potatoes and onions as they cook enhances their flavors and contributes to the overall deliciousness of the dish.
- Serve with a side of peas for a more traditional bangers and mash.
- Adding herbs like fresh thyme to the gravy will add another dimension of flavor.
- Feel free to add a touch of red wine to the caramelized onions (reducing the amount of stock, comparably).
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: British
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