Description
Sausage Gravy transforms simple breakfast sausage into a creamy, peppery Southern classic enjoyed over biscuits. Developed from Tennessee tradition, you start by deeply browning ground pork sausage, then build a roux with flour and use milk to create a smooth, rich gravy. Customizable in thickness, this staple offers comfort and flavor for any breakfast occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 pound bulk ground pork breakfast sausage (mild or hot)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 to 2 1/2 cups milk
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large heavy-bottomed skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat. Add the sausage.
- Cook the sausage, breaking it up, and let it brown deeply by allowing some pieces to sit undisturbed. Stir as needed until evenly browned.
- Do not drain the grease; keep all rendered fat in the skillet.
- Sprinkle the flour evenly over the sausage and fat. Stir continuously for 2-3 minutes to cook off the raw flour taste, but do not let the flour brown.
- Gradually add milk in small amounts, stirring thoroughly after each addition to prevent lumps. Start with 1 cup and add more as needed until desired consistency.
- Lower the heat to a simmer, continue stirring frequently as the gravy thickens. Add more milk for a thinner gravy as desired, up to 2 1/2 cups.
- Season vigorously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste, adding extra black pepper for a traditional flavor.
- Serve hot over fresh biscuits.
Notes
For a lighter dish, substitute turkey or chicken sausage, or use plant-based crumbles. Whole, 2%, or even unsweetened plant-based milks can work with minor flavor changes. Make the gravy ahead and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of milk if it thickens too much. If lumps form during preparation, whisk briskly or use an immersion blender to smooth the mixture. Adjust seasoning after reheating if needed.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 55mg