Sausage and Caramelised Onion Sandwich is a must have on a cold winters morning. The house is warmed and full of the glorious aromas of the relish, sausage and onion. This is a dish that is impossible to eat tidily but it is worth the mess. I normally make this as a brunch dish at the weekend and is always a popular choice. When you take the first bite, the tasty sausage, homemade relish, soft caramelised onion and ripe baked cherry tomatoes. I normally serve Sausage and Caramelised Onion Sandwich with nothing but a decent cup of coffee for the adults and Rio Breakfast Shake for the children.
With my family, a Sausage and Caramelised Onion Sandwich is the sort of dish that doesn’t just warm you from the inside out — it warms the entire house. Before you’ve even poured your first cup of coffee, the kitchen begins to fill with the unmistakable aromas of sizzling sausages, softening red onions, and that sweet-tangy hit of tomato relish. It’s the smell that says weekend, the smell that convinces everyone to wander downstairs just a little quicker, still wrapped in blankets and wearing thick socks.
I’ve been making Sausage and Caramelised Onion Sandwich for years, usually as a lazy brunch option when the weather outside looks unforgiving and everyone wants something hearty. And it never fails to please. There’s no pretence, no fuss, no attempt to be delicate — it’s a proper hands-on, unapologetically messy bite. In fact, I’d argue it’s impossible to eat this tidily. You will drip a little relish, a cherry tomato will definitely escape, and the sausages will try to slip out. But honestly? It’s worth every glorious, indulgent moment of it.
The heart of this sandwich is Cumberland sausages — plump, seasoned beautifully, and always reliable. When baked alongside sliced red onions, they release their juices in the tray, mingling with the oil and relish to create an irresistible glossy coating. Midway through cooking, the onions begin to caramelise, turning soft, sweet, and slightly sticky, the kind of texture you only get when they’ve had the chance to relax in the heat long enough. Add in ripe cherry tomatoes that burst as they bake, and suddenly you’ve got this bright, juicy counterpoint that cuts through the richness.
Another key player is mustard — English mustard, the kind that gives you a cheeky tingle at the back of the nose. It isn’t overpowering here; rather, it melts into the pan juices, lifting everything with a gentle, savoury warmth. And then there’s the homemade tomato relish, added both during cooking and at the very end. A thin spread across wholemeal bread transforms each slice into a soft, tangy platform that holds all the messy goodness together. Even so, expect the filling to tumble out. That’s half the joy.
There’s something almost comical about how quickly this sandwich disappears. I usually call the family to the table once I’ve assembled the first one, still warm from the oven, and before I’ve even finished putting together a second, someone is already asking for more. The adults tend to grab theirs with a big mug of strong coffee — there’s something magical about the combination of rich sausage flavours and a dark roast. The children, meanwhile, prefer their Rio Breakfast Shake, which somehow fits the occasion perfectly. It’s a little routine now: sandwiches, coffee, shakes, and contented silence as everyone tucks in.
What I love most about this Sausage and Caramelised Onion Sandwich is its honesty. There’s no hidden technique or clever twist. It’s just good ingredients treated simply — baked, caramelised, assembled, enjoyed. The kind of food that reminds you why home cooking is often the best cooking. It doesn’t need to impress; it just needs to make you happy. And this sandwich does exactly that.
Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or treating yourself to a weekend moment of peace, a Sausage and Caramelised Onion Sandwich is always a solid choice. It fills the kitchen with warmth, fills the plate with colour, and fills your morning with pure, comforting satisfaction. Sometimes, the messiest meals are the ones that stay with you the longest — and Sausage and Caramelised Onion Sandwich is truly unforgettable.
Sausage and Caramelised Onion Sandwich
Ingredients
- 454 g Cumberland sausages
- 1 large red onion sliced
- 100 g Cherry Tomatoes
- 1 tsp english mustard
- 1 tbsp Tomato relish homemade
- 1 tbsp oil
- 8 slices wholemeal bread
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200C, gas mark 6
- Place the sausages, onion, tomatoes, mustard, 1 tbsp tomato relish and oil in a large baking tray454 g Cumberland sausages, 1 large red onion, 1 tsp english mustard, 1 tbsp Tomato relish, 1 tbsp oil, 100 g Cherry Tomatoes
- Mix well to coat
- Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden and caramelised, stirring half way through
- Spread the remaining relish over the bread and fill with the sausage and onion mixture8 slices wholemeal bread
43 comments
In the s0ace of 20 minutes, this became my favourite sandwich. The peppery sausage works so well with the onions.
Comforting, indulgent, and bursting with flavour.
The wholemeal bread held everything together better than I expected.
A proper winter comfort sandwich that hits every craving.
Such a lovely blend of winter flavours.
I loved the contrast of crunchy edges on the sausages with the soft onions.
I loved how easy this was to put together yet it tasted so special.
The whole family loved it, even the picky eaters.
The cherry tomatoes added a wonderful pop of sweetness.
The relish and mustard together were a great combination.
The cherry tomatoes bursting in the oven made the whole thing extra juicy.
The aroma while it cooked was heavenly.
The homemade relish adds such a lovely tangy kick.
This sandwich put everyone in a good mood on a cold day.
Perfect balance of savoury sausage and sweet onions.
I served it with coffee just like suggested and it was perfect.
The English mustard gave it just the right amount of heat.
My kids asked for seconds before I’d even finished mine.
Hands down the best sausage sandwich I’ve ever made.
A brilliant brunch idea that’s now going into our regular rotation.
My partner said it was the best brunch we’ve had in ages.
Amazing how such everyday ingredients can taste so luxurious.
The caramelised onions were the star of the show for me.
The onions caramelised beautifully and added so much sweetness.
I added a bit more relish at the table and it was perfect.
Such simple ingredients but huge flavour.
I really liked the sweetness from the caramelised onions.
The flavours in this sandwich were incredible and made my whole kitchen smell amazing.
I didn’t expect it to be so filling, but one sandwich was enough for me!
A brilliant balance of sweet, savoury, and tangy.
A messy sandwich, but that’s part of the fun.
My family devoured these sandwiches in minutes.
Absolutely delicious – messy, warm, and perfect for a cold morning.
Rich, warming, and exactly what brunch should feel like.
Warm, comforting, and exactly what I needed on a frosty morning.
Great weekend treat – simple but so satisfying.
It was impossible to eat neatly but completely worth it.
Honestly one of the best homemade sandwiches I’ve ever tried.
The sausages baked perfectly and stayed juicy.
Next time I’ll make a double batch because it disappeared too quickly.
This sandwich is pure comfort on a plate.
This became an instant weekend favourite in our house.
Very easy to prepare and even easier to eat.