Craving a hearty, comforting meal that's packed with flavor? Look no further than this simple sausage gravy recipe!
Made with just a handful of pantry staples, this gravy is sure to become a weeknight go-to. Plus, it's incredibly versatile - you can serve it over biscuits, mashed potatoes, or even rice.
In this post, we'll walk you through the steps of making this easy gravy recipe from scratch. We'll also share some tips for getting the perfect flavor and texture, every time. So grab your ingredients and get ready to whip up a batch of this delicious gravy!
Simple Sausage Gravy
Sausage gravy, a cornerstone of Southern comfort food, is a creamy, savory sauce brimming with the essence of browned pork sausage. This humble concoction, far from just a breakfast topping, transcends geographical boundaries and cultural palettes, finding its way onto biscuits, mashed potatoes, grits, and even rice, warming hearts and bellies wherever it goes.
Here's what you can expect:
- Straightforward, easy-to-follow steps with clear instructions
- Tips and tricks for making the perfect roux, the key to a flavorful gravy
- Variations on the classic recipe, like adding different types of sausage or herbs
- Expert advice for troubleshooting common gravy-making problems
Ready to get started? Let's dive in!
Key Ingredients
- Sausage: The star of the show, typically ground pork shoulder seasoned with sage, thyme, and other warm spices. Its browned bits and flavorful drippings form the base of the gravy's character.
- Roux: A fundamental culinary technique, the roux is a combination of fat (butter in this case) and flour cooked together until golden brown. This magical union acts as a thickening agent, transforming milk into a luxuriously smooth sauce.
- Milk: The liquid canvas upon which the roux and sausage paint their flavors. Whole milk is usually preferred for its richness, but feel free to experiment with different types for subtle variations.
- Seasonings: Salt and pepper are the bare essentials, but don't be shy! Cayenne pepper adds a fiery kick, while herbs like sage, thyme, and nutmeg evoke the spirit of the South.
Why You'll Love This Simple Sausage Gravy Recipe
Buckle up, because we're about to dive into a love letter to this ultra-easy, flavor-packed sausage gravy recipe! Brace yourself for:
1. Effortless Flavor Explosion:
This recipe respects your time and taste buds. We keep things simple with basic ingredients, but don't skimp on flavor. The golden roux unlocks the magic of browned sausage, while the milk adds a velvety smoothness that's pure comfort food heaven. Want a kick? Add some cayenne pepper! Craving some herbal depth? Sage or thyme are your new best friends.
2. Breakfast (and Beyond) Bliss:
This gravy isn't just a breakfast champion. It's a versatility champion! Pour it over warm, fluffy biscuits for a classic Southern combo, or let it dress up mashed potatoes like a culinary rockstar. Feeling adventurous? Drizzle it over grits, rice, or even roasted vegetables for a flavor bomb you won't forget.
3. Pantry-Friendly Magic:
No need to hunt down obscure ingredients! This recipe sticks to the basics, utilizing staples you probably already have on hand. So, when that comfort food craving strikes, you're just minutes away from gravy glory.
4. Leftover Love:
Don't fret about leftovers! This gravy stores beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat it gently for a quick second helping of comfort or use it to jazz up any leftover rice or potatoes. Leftover gravy? More like bonus magic sauce!
This simple, flavorful, and endlessly versatile sausage gravy recipe is calling your name. Grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to whip up a batch of pure comfort food magic!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground sausage (breakfast sausage, spicy sausage, or Italian sausage all work well)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Additional spices to taste (optional, such as cayenne pepper, sage, or thyme)
How to Make Sausage Gravy
- Brown the sausage: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain any excess grease.
Tip: For extra flavor, cook the sausage until it's nice and crispy around the edges.
- Make the roux: Melt the butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, until the roux is golden brown.
The roux is the base of your gravy, and its color and flavor will be transferred to the final dish. A deeper golden roux will result in a richer-flavored gravy.
- Whisk in the milk: Slowly whisk in the milk, a little at a time, until the gravy is smooth and thickens to your desired consistency. Bring to a simmer.
Tip: If your gravy is too thick, add more milk a tablespoon at a time until it reaches the right consistency. If it's too thin, simmer it for a few minutes longer to allow it to thicken up.
- Season and serve: Season the gravy with salt, pepper, and any additional spices to taste. Serve hot over your favorite biscuits, rice or mashed potatoes.
Leftover gravy can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just reheat it gently over low heat, whisking in a little milk or water if it's become too thick.
Enjoy your delicious homemade country sausage gravy!
Recipe Card
If you try this recipe and love it, I’d love if you give it 5 stars and let me know how it turned out in the comments or review! Tag me on Instagram @farmhouse_harvest with your delicious creation!
Simple Sausage Gravy Recipe - Fast & Easy
This simple sausage gravy recipe is a soul warming meal bursting with flavor! Made with just a handful of pantry staples, this gravy is sure to become a weeknight go-to. Pour it over fluffy biscuits, smother your mashed potatoes, or drizzle it over grits, rice, or even roasted vegetables for a versatile flavor bomb.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground sausage (breakfast sausage, spicy sausage, or Italian sausage all work well)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional spices: cayenne pepper, sage, or thyme.
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes).
- Drain any excess grease.
- Melt the butter in the same skillet over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, until the roux is golden brown.
- Slowly whisk in the milk, a little at a time, until the gravy is smooth and thickens to your desired consistency (about 5-7 minutes).
- Bring to a simmer.
- Season the gravy with salt, pepper, and any additional spices to taste.
- Serve hot over your favorite biscuits, mashed potatoes, rice, grits, or other dishes.
Notes
- Cook the sausage until slightly browned for deeper flavor.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a kick, or herbs like sage or thyme for a savory depth.
- Sauté a minced clove of garlic with the sausage for an extra layer of warmth.
- Don't rush the roux! A deep golden brown will add more richness to your gravy.
- Whisk constantly while adding the flour to prevent lumps.
- If the roux gets too dark, start a new batch to avoid a burnt taste.
- Add the milk gradually, whisking well after each addition, to achieve the desired consistency.
- If your gravy's too thin, simmer it longer or add a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with cold water.
- Too thick? Whisk in a bit more milk or broth until it reaches your preferred texture.
- Store leftover gravy in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Gently reheat over low heat, adding a splash of milk or broth if it's thickened.
- Leftover gravy can be a delicious addition to scrambled eggs, omelets, or even mac and cheese!
Nutrition Information
Yield 6 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 417Total Fat 35gSaturated Fat 14gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 17gCholesterol 79mgSodium 889mgCarbohydrates 11gFiber 0gSugar 7gProtein 14g
Let me know what you think!
Share your cooking tips and feedback in the comments below.
Did you add any twists to these recipes? I'd love to hear!
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!