Bangers and Mash Recipe with Sweet Apple Gravy (2024)

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Bangers and mash are juicy pork sausages served over mashed potatoes and covered in an onion gravy. The gravy for this bangers and mash recipe is made with sweet apple cider and fresh thyme, for an extra flavorful twist on the classic. It’s an easy, comforting, and family-friendly meal that’s great for weeknights!

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British food is a hot topic in my family. For a little history lesson, after the second World War, food rationing continued in England for almost a decade.

The lack of availability of fresh ingredients meant culinary innovation took a backseat for a while. Compared with other European cuisines, British food has not had the best reputation.

Bangers and Mash Recipe with Sweet Apple Gravy (1)

But my step-father is English, and understandably loyal to the traditional pub food of his country.He and my mother insist that England has come a very long way gastronomically in recent years, and most everyone I talk to agrees!

Except for my birth dad, who spent many years working in the U.K. and passionately dislikes British food. Its supposed crumminess has pretty much become his favorite topic of conversation. It makes for a lively debate!

I haven’t spent much time in England myself, but I will say that British pub classics like fish and chips and bubble and squeak are some of my very favorite meals.

And another thing I know is that I LOVE bangers and mash, and I don’t know anyone who doesn’t! Besides being one of the tastiest, most comforting dishes I know, it couldn’t be more straightforward to make.

Bangers and Mash Recipe with Sweet Apple Gravy (2)

Bangers and mash is basically sausages served with mashed potatoes and gravy. The sausages used are usually some kind of mildly-spiced fresh pork sausage.

My grocery store actually carries some that are labeled “bangers”, but you could really use any fresh pork sausage you like. I tried honey garlic sausages once and they were excellent in this.

Bangers and Mash Recipe with Sweet Apple Gravy (3)

I use my best friend, my cast iron skillet, to cook the sausages, and prepare the gravy.

For this bangers and mash recipe, I like to replace some of the stock with apple cider. Apples go so well with pork, and with some fresh thyme, the flavor is terrific.

Bangers and Mash Recipe with Sweet Apple Gravy (4)

No matter how you feel about British food, it’s hard not to love this easy, family-friendly bangers and mash recipe!

Do you love bangers and mash too? If you make this recipe, I would love it if you wouldtake a pic and tag me on Instagram @ourhappymess!

Or pin for later!

And if you’re looking for more easy weeknight inspiration, follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. Or be old-fashioned and subscribe in the sidebar on the right to get every new recipe in your inbox 🙂

Bangers and Mash Recipe with Sweet Apple Gravy (5)

Bangers and mash are juicy pork sausages served over mashed potatoes and covered in an onion gravy. The gravy for this bangers and mash recipe is made with sweet apple cider and fresh thyme, for an extra flavorful twist on the classic.

5 from 6 votes

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: British

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 861kcal

Author: Ann Otis

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 8 fresh pork sausages
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 large onion thinly sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • pinch crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup apple cider (natural apple juice)* NOT apple cider VINEGAR
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 5 sprigs fresh thyme
  • salt and pepper

For Serving

  • mashed potatoes
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a cast iron pan over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil.

  • Add the sausages and cook, turning now and then to brown all sides, until cooked through. Transfer to a plate.

  • In the same pan, melt the butter. Add the onions, garlic, red pepper flakes and thyme and cook until onions begin to color, about 5-6 minutes.

  • Whisk in the flour, and cook, whisking constantly for one minute.

  • Whisk in the apple cider and bring to a boil. Add the chicken stock and bring it to a simmer. Lower heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring now and then, until gravy begins to thicken, about 10-15 minutes. Remove and discard the thyme stems. Add salt and pepper to taste.

  • Place the sausages back in the pan to warm through. Spoon some mashed potatoes onto a plate, place two sausages on top, and ladle gravy over the top. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

Notes

*This recipe calls for non-alcoholic apple cider, which is sometimes just called "natural apple juice". You should be able to find some with the other juices in your grocery store. The best kind is usually with the refrigerated juices, but the shelf-stable kind also works. You can also use regular apple juice. Do NOT use apple cider VINEGAR, which is an entirely different thing.

Nutrition

Calories: 861kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 70g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Cholesterol: 181mg | Sodium: 1663mg | Potassium: 777mg | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 570IU | Vitamin C: 8.5mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 3.3mg

Tried this Recipe? Tag it Today!Mention @OurHappyMess or tag #OurHappyMess!

Bangers and Mash Recipe with Sweet Apple Gravy (2024)

FAQs

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 substitute for sausage in bangers? ›

Sausage – Irish bangers would be best, but you can simply substitute for pork sausage.

What kind of food are bangers? ›

The term “bangers” is British slang for sausages but is used almost exclusively for the sausages in the dish bangers and mash.

Is banger and mash Irish? ›

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.

What is the best sausage for bangers and mash? ›

The Best Sausage for Bangers and Mash

Thick, unaged pork sausages are traditionally used for bangers and mash. A mildly spiced sausage is more common, but feel free to use your favorite sausages when making the dish at home.

What is bangers and mash in America? ›

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 are bangers called in America? ›

Irish Sausage is also commonly known as “English Sausage”, “British Sausage, and as “Bangers” outside of the UK; the terms are used interchangeably. The traditional recipe consists of ground pork, a rusk bread filler, eggs, seasonings and a natural pork or beef casing.

What are bangers called in the US? ›

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.

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 do British bangers taste like? ›

Bangers, on the other hand, are more savory, containing a greater quantity of herbs like thyme, sage and marjoram, which is one reason why they go so well with mashed potatoes and gravy.

Are pork bangers healthy? ›

High in Protein

Pork is a great source of protein, which is essential for building and maintaining muscle mass. A single serving of pork sausage can deliver up to 10 grams of protein, making it an ideal choice for people who are looking to meet their daily protein needs.

What are bangers in English? ›

banger noun [C] (FOOD)

informal for sausage: bangers and mash They serve all your favourite comfort foods like bangers and mash (= potatoes).

What is a Scottish banger? ›

While our bangers contain no fillers, the USDA definition of a banger is a "A sausage-like product prepared with meat and varying amounts of rusk or other cereals.

What does bangers and mash mean in slang? ›

Bangers and mash is co*ckney rhyming slang for. money.

What do you serve with English bangers? ›

Bangers are sausages, and these are served with "mash" (British mashed potatoes), a brown gravy, and peas.

Is bangers and mash lunch or dinner? ›

Still, they are eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner (according to some sources, 44 per cent of British sausages are eaten at the evening meal).

Is bangers and mash Irish or Scottish? ›

Bangers and mash is a traditional British dish consisting of sausages (bangers) and mashed potatoes (mash), often served with onion gravy. While the dish is a popular comfort food throughout the year in the UK, it has a special significance on St. Patrick's Day.

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