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Never made or been successful with gravy before? With a few simple ingredients and my tried-and-true tips, you’ll have a hearty sausage gravy that turns out perfectly every time and pairs beautifully with fluffy biscuits. This Southern sausage gravy recipe is a foolproof way to bring comforting, Southern flavors to your breakfast table in just 20 minutes.
Homemade Sausage Gravy
When I first got married over 30 years ago, mastering sausage gravy was a must, especially with a husband who loved a hearty breakfast. Over the years, I’ve made this gravy countless times, tweaking and perfecting it into a no-fail recipe that’s as reliable as it is delicious.
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out, I’ve got you covered! So many of you have shared how you once struggled with making gravy, but now, you’re whipping up a perfect batch every time, thanks to these simple steps. It’s a recipe consistently delivers, turning even the most hesitant cooks into confident gravy-makers.
This sure is a go-to comfort food breakfast in our home, pleasing everyone from my kids to weekend guests. And whether you’re looking to make a cozy family breakfast, treating visitors to something special, or whipping up a quick and easy dish for Christmas morning, this sausage gravy is sure to hit the spot!
Why you’ll love this Sausage and Gravy Recipe!
- 3 Main Ingredients: Ground sausage, flour, and milk are the main ingredients. Add a few staple pantry items and you are all set.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe comes together in 20 minutes. Now that is fast! It’s so good that you’d think it took all day to cook. And it isn’t complicated at all. It’s basically frying and stirring. Simple right!
- Delicious for any occasion: From a standard family breakfast to a brunch with friends. Serving this up will always impress!
Easy Sausage Gravy Ingredients
- Ground pork sausage – Typically labeled bulk or breakfast sausage. You can also find this in a spicy or hot variety which gives your gravy a little kick! Then you have Spicy Sausage Gravy = YUM!
- Butter – This adds a little extra richness and doesn’t butter make everything better!
- All-purpose flour – This is what binds and how to thicken the gravy.
- Whole milk – To get that extra rich and creamy texture and flavor, I really suggest using whole milk. You can use whatever milk you prefer, but I have found the best results with whole milk.
- Garlic powder – This enhances the flavor and you just need a little to give it that something extra you are looking to add in. It’s not overpowering, just subtly scrumptious!
- Salt and pepper – Of course you need a little S&P to round out the flavors. Specks of ground pepper all throughout the gravy are a give away for a great tasting gravy. Make sure to give it a taste before adding salt. Some ground pork may be a little saltier than others!
How to make Sausage Gravy
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and instructions!
- Brown the Sausage. Set a large skillet (I love cast iron) over medium heat and brown the sausage. With a wooden spatula “crumble” or break up with sausage into smaller pieces, while stirring. Cook until brown and fully done. I like a little crunch, so cook until some of the edges are well browned. It adds a ton of flavor!
- Roux for gravy: You need butter and flour to make the roux. This is the base and what thickens the gravy. Place butter in skillet and stir until melted. Sprinkle in flour, garlic, and pepper on top of the sausage and slowly stir until well coated. Continue stirring and let the flour cook.
- Add milk. While stirring, slow pour in the milk . Continue to stir and simmer until gravy thickens. Taste to see if salt is needed.
- Serve over warm fresh biscuits.
Best Sausage Gravy Recipe Tips
- Seasonings: Be sure your sausage is seasoned. If not you may need to add salt, pepper and maybe a little sage. Taste as you make and adjust as needed.
- Don’t drain the sausage drippings – The fat is where all the flavor is and you need it to make good sausage gravy.
- Keep flavors simple – This dish is packed full of flavor and isn’t meant to be complicated. It’s plain ol’ comfort food and just plain delicious. So you don’t need to add in tons of extras.
How to thicken Sausage Gravy
If your gravy isn’t thick enough simply stir 2 tablespoons of flour with 3 tablespoons on cold water and stir until combined. Then slowly stir mixture into gravy and stir until desired consistency.
Sausage Gravy Recipe FAQs
You have to be sure to cook your flour a few minutes before adding in the milk. Usually about 2 to 3 minutes is enough. You don’t want to let it get too brown, just long enough to cook out that flour taste.
Yes. Ground turkey or chicken can be used in place of the pork. You may need a little extra butter for less fat may be rendered while cooking.
Sometimes you just need to let it cook a little longer to thicken, but other times you added a little too much liquid or didn’t start with enough flour to begin with.
If your gravy turns out too thick, simply add in more milk in small amounts at a time, until gravy is the consistency you like.
Yes – you can make the gravy ahead of time. Cool and store in an airtight container and refrigerate it up to 4 day in advance.
To reheat, place in a saute pan and warm over medium heat. Add in a little extra milk to thin if needed.
Biscuits, in my opinion, on the other hand are better fresh! You can prepare the biscuit dough in advance and cut them out the day before. You can also freeze cut biscuit dough ahead of time and then cook them the day of.
Yes. You can freeze. It does change the consistency a little. It really is so quick to prepare that I like to make it fresh.
If you do need to freeze it, let the gravy cool completely and the store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.
To thaw: Place in the refrigerator to thaw and reheat in a saucepan. You may need to add a little milk to thin it out a bit.
What to serve with sausage gravy?
The Best Sausage Gravy is most often served on fluffy biscuits! Buttermilk biscuits and gravy are always a win!
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It’s also so good on toast, english muffins, over skillet potatoes, omelets, eggs, hash browns, and over creamy grits. This list could go on and on gravy is good on just about anything y’all!
It is heavenly on french fries! Oh yes! You heard me right french fries. You have to try it!
More Breakfast Recipes You Will Love
- Creamed Chipped Beef Gravy
- Easy Creamed Hamburger Gravy
- Overnight Breakfast Casserole
- Blood Orange Sweet Rolls by my friend at Norine’s Nest.
Is there anything more southern than biscuits and gravy? Well, except maybe fried pork chops – which by the way goes deliciously with breakfast too!
A soulful southern breakfast isn’t complete without biscuits and a skillet of southern sausage gravy! So y’all make up a batch and enjoy!
More from Soulfully Made
Now let’s dig on into the best southern sausage gravy recipe ever!
Homemade Sausage Gravy
Ingredients
- 1 pound bulk pork sausage
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 to 3 ½ cups milk
- ¼ tsp granulated garlic
- 1 tsp black pepper, or to taste
- ½ tsp salt, or to taste
Instructions
- Set a large skillet (I love cast iron) over medium heat. Add in the sausage and with a wooden spatula break up sausage into smaller pieces while stirring. Cook until brown and fully done (about 8 to 10 minutes).
- Place butter in skillet and stir until melted.
- Sprinkle flour, garlic, and pepper on top of the sausage and slowly stir until well coated and grease is full absorbed. Continue stirring and let the flour cook fully for about 2 minutes.
- While stirring, slowly pour in 3 cups of the milk. Continue to stir and simmer until gravy thickens (3 to 5 minutes). Add salt, if needed. If gravy is too thick, add the last 1/2 cup of milk.
- Serve over warm fresh biscuits.
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Notes
✱ Nikki’s Tips
- Seasonings: Be sure your sausage is seasoned. If not you may need to add salt, pepper and maybe a little sage. Taste as you make and adjust as needed.
- Don’t drain the sausage drippings – The fat is where all the flavor is and you need it to make good sausage gravy.
- Keep flavors simple – This dish is packed full of flavor and isn’t meant to be complicated. It’s plain ol’ comfort food and just plain delicious. So you don’t need to add in tons of extras.
Nutrition Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
©️Soulfully Made
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Great recipe. Perfect sausage gravy.
Thank you, Hollie!
Great! Like the spicy and tip for really browning the sausage ( crispy). Adds great flavor. Also, just add a bit of onion powder, too. Love it! Thank you!
Can I use lactose milk
I have not tested with lactose milk to give you the results, but I’d love to hear if you do.
Easy and tasty! Will be our go-to for special breakfasts….
Thank you, Norene! I love that you will be making it again and again. It’s on my table so many times I have lost count!
Best sausage gravy recipe ever! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Aimee! I am so happy you loved it!
It’s perfect balance of all ingredients!
So good and comes out perfect each time
Thank you, Sandy! It really is a staple recipe in our house!
This recipe is my absolute favorite and most requested breakfast dish I make. It’s so simple and is always a hit for a crowd. Thank you for sharing it’s about as close as I’m going to get to my grandmas cooking and I’m so grateful! The only thing I switch up is I mix regular, hot and sage sausage the flavor profile it gives is so delicious!
Thank you so much, Kristin. And that it reminds you of your grandmother’s cooking is just the best compliment ever. I love to make it with hot sausage too. Give it a little kick. I appreciate you stopping by and sharing.
Can I make this 2 days ahead and reheat?
Yes, you can make this ahead. I like to reheat on the stovetop for best results. Add a little milk if needed.
The best biscuits & gravy I ever had! Will definitely be making this as a staple in our home now. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Brandi! This makes my heart glad to hear you love them and enjoy them time and time again! I appreciate you taking the time to stop by and let us know!
This is one of my favorites it’s better than you get it Jack’s McDonald’s I love it cuz it’s different it’s one of the recipes I cook a lot I eat it for breakfast lunch and supper when I cannot all at once.
Thank you!!
I made this recipe and it is wonderful. I plan to freeze mine in small batches. I did my research and found you can freeze it for 3 months in air tight containers or vacuum pack in batches. This will be a great time saver.
Thank you, Katherine! I am so happy you enjoyed them. That will be great for make ahead! Then you can grab a treat on the go or whenever you get a craving!
Followed everything as listed on the recipe and my family loved it!
Thank you, Michelle. I am so glad to hear you all loved it!
Our biscuits and sausage gravy are delish!! Thanks for the tips!!
You are so very welcome, Sandi! I love hearing you enjoyed it and the tips were helpful!
Nice to find a good southern cook for a change. This is exactly how I make my gravy except without garlic powder. Going to try next time i make it.
Thank you, Linda! My grandmother was a southern cook and it sure has influenced my cooking, along with so many others in my life. I love the subtle difference the garlic adds!
I made this today for me and my husband, we both loved it. Thank you for sharing it.
You are so welcome Christina. I am so glad you both enjoyed it!!
As far as I’m concerned it isn’t sausage gravy without a good shot of sage.
Go ahead and some in to the gravy. This is a great base for you to add any other flavors you love.
Perfect combination and amounts!
Thank you, Lori!! I appreciate it so much!
Perfect measurements, absolutely enjoyed this recipe. Thank you.
Thank you, AJ! I am so glad you enjoyed it!
This recipe for Biscuits and Gravy was delicious. I followed the directions to the end. It’s a winner!
Thank you Kathy! You have made my day with this 5 star review. But most importantly I am thrilled you loved it as much as we do. Blessings!