sausage gravy recipe

The Ultimate Guide to Making Sausage Gravy

When it comes to Southern comfort food, few dishes can rival the popularity of sausage gravy. This creamy and savory pan gravy made with juicy pork sausage has been a breakfast staple in the South for over a century, and it’s easy to see why. Whether you’re serving it over biscuits, toast, or even breakfast potatoes, sausage gravy is a warming and satisfying way to start your day. And with our ultimate guide to making sausage gravy, you’ll be able to whip up this classic dish like a pro!

Introduction

Definition of Sausage Gravy

Sausage gravy is a popular Southern dish made from seasoned pork sausage that’s simmered in milk or cream until thickened. This rich and creamy pan gravy is typically served over biscuits, although it can also be enjoyed on top of toast or other breakfast foods.

History of Sausage Gravy

Sausage gravy has been a beloved Southern staple for over 100 years. The origins of the dish are somewhat unclear, but many food historians believe that it may have originated in the rural southern states as a hearty breakfast for farmers and settlers. Regardless of its origins, sausage gravy has become an iconic dish in the American South and continues to be a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

Ingredients

Essential Ingredients

To make sausage gravy, you’ll need:

• 1 lb ground pork sausage
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk or heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Optional Ingredients for Added Flavor

While the essential ingredients are all you need to make a classic sausage gravy, there are plenty of optional extras you can add to enhance the flavor. Here are a few ideas:

• Minced garlic or shallots
• Chopped onion
• Fresh thyme or rosemary
• Worcestershire sauce
• Chicken or beef broth
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Equipment and Tools

Kitchen Equipment Needed

To make sausage gravy, you’ll need the following kitchen equipment:

• A large skillet or sauté pan
• A wooden spoon or spatula for stirring the gravy
• A whisk for blending in the flour and preventing lumps from forming in the gravy
• A measuring cup, measuring spoons, and a food scale for accurately measuring your ingredients/li>

Tips for Using the Equipment Effectively

When using a skillet to cook your sausage, be sure to choose one that’s large enough to accommodate all of your ingredients without overcrowding the pan. This will help ensure that everything cooks evenly and that your sausage browns nicely. Additionally, when whisking in the flour to thicken your gravy, be sure to stir constantly to prevent lumps from forming.

Preparing Sausage Gravy

Preparing the Sausage

Choosing the Right Type of Sausage

When it comes to making sausage gravy, you want to choose a pork sausage that’s well seasoned and flavorful. Look for a ground breakfast sausage that’s made with plenty of spices like sage, thyme, and black pepper.

Cooking the Sausage

To cook your sausage, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add your ground pork sausage. Break up the sausage with a wooden spoon or spatula as it cooks to ensure that it browns evenly. Continue cooking until the sausage is fully cooked through and no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes.

Draining Excess Fat

Once your sausage is cooked, use a slotted spoon to transfer it to a bowl or plate, leaving any excess fat in the skillet. If your sausage produces a lot of grease during cooking, you may want to drain off some of the fat before proceeding with making your gravy.

Making the Gravy

Choosing a Thickening Agent

To thicken your sausage gravy, you’ll need to use a flour-based roux. To make this, simply sprinkle flour over the remaining fat in the skillet and whisk until combined. Cook the roux for 1-2 minutes until it turns golden brown and has a nutty aroma.

Using Milk or Cream

Once your roux is ready, slowly whisk in milk or heavy cream, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Keep whisking until the gravy has reached your desired thickness and consistency. Remember that the gravy will continue to thicken as it cooks, so be patient and keep whisking!

Flavoring Options

Once your gravy is thickened, season it with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if desired. At this point, you can also add any optional extras like garlic, onions, or fresh herbs.

Cooking Techniques for Sausage Gravy

Stovetop Method

Cooking sausage gravy on the stovetop is perhaps the most common method. Here’s how to do it:

1. Cook your sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks.
2. Remove the cooked sausage from the skillet with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving any remaining fat in the skillet.
3. Sprinkle flour over the remaining fat in the skillet and whisk until combined. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the roux is golden brown and nutty-smelling.
4. Slowly whisk in milk or cream, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
5. Continue whisking until the gravy has thickened to your desired consistency. Season with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper if desired.
6. Add your cooked sausage back into the skillet and stir until heated through.
7. Serve hot over biscuits or other breakfast foods of your choice!

Baking Method

While less common than stovetop cooking, you can also make sausage gravy in the oven. Here’s how:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Cook your sausage in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks.
3. Remove the cooked sausage from the skillet with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving any remaining fat in the skillet.
4. Whisk flour into the remaining fat in the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes until golden brown and nutty-smelling.
5. Slowly whisk in milk or cream, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
6. Bring the gravy to a simmer, then transfer the skillet to the preheated oven.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the gravy is thickened and bubbly.
8. Season the gravy with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper if desired and add your cooked sausage back into the skillet. Serve hot!

Slow Cooker Method

Making slow cooker sausage gravy is a great way to save time in the morning. Here’s how to do it:

1. Cook your sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks.
2. Spray the inside of your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray and transfer the cooked sausage to the slow cooker using a slotted spoon.
3. Sprinkle flour over the cooked sausage in the slow cooker and stir until combined.
4. Pour in milk or cream and whisk until smooth.
5. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or until the gravy has thickened to your desired consistency.
6. Season with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings. Add any optional extras like onions or garlic at this point if desired.
7. Keep warm in the slow cooker until ready to serve.

Serving Suggestions

Different Uses of Sausage Gravy

While sausage gravy is most commonly served over biscuits, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy this comforting dish. Here are a few ideas:

• Serve over toast or English muffins for a classic breakfast sandwich.
• Pour over fried eggs for a hearty breakfast bowl.
• Serve with breakfast potatoes or hash browns for a savory side dish.
• Use as a topping for chicken fried steak or fried chicken for a Southern-inspired dinner.

Accompaniments that Go Well with Sausage Gravy

If you’re serving sausage gravy over biscuits, consider pairing it with one of these classic Southern sides:

• Buttery grits
• Crispy bacon
• Fried eggs
• Sautéed greens like spinach or collard greens
• Fried okra

Storing and Reheating Sausage Gravy

Storing Sausage Gravy

If you have leftover sausage gravy, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let the gravy cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container for storage.

Reheating Sausage Gravy

When reheating sausage gravy, you can use the stovetop or microwave method. Here’s how:

Stovetop Method

Transfer your leftover sausage gravy to a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You may need to add a splash of milk or cream if the gravy has thickened too much in storage.

Microwave Method

Transfer your leftover sausage gravy to a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high in 30-60 second intervals, stirring between each interval until heated through.

Troubleshooting Tips

Common Problems when Making Sausage Gravy and Their Solutions

Here are some common issues that may arise when making sausage gravy and how to fix them:

• If your gravy appears too thin, whisk in a bit more flour or cook it for longer until it reaches your desired thickness.
• If your gravy is too lumpy, be sure to whisk the flour into the fat thoroughly before adding the milk or cream, and whisk constantly while cooking.
• If your gravy is too thick, you can thin it out with a bit more milk or cream until it reaches your desired consistency.
• If your gravy is too salty, try adding a splash of vinegar or lemon juice to balance out the flavors.
• If your gravy is too bland, consider adding in some additional seasonings like garlic, onion powder, or thyme.

Variations of Sausage Gravy

Southern-Style Recipe

This classic recipe for Southern-style sausage gravy is the perfect starting point for anyone new to making this comforting dish.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground pork sausage
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk or heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook your sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Remove from skillet and set aside.
2. Add flour to the remaining fat in the skillet and whisk until combined. Cook until golden brown and fragrant.
3. Slowly whisk in milk or cream, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Cook until thickened and smooth.
4. Add cooked sausage back into skillet and stir until heated through.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add cayenne pepper if desired for added spice.

Vegan Recipe

If you’re following a vegan diet, you can still enjoy the rich and creamy goodness of sausage gravy. Here’s a recipe to get you started:

Ingredients

• 1 lb vegan sausage crumbles
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups unsweetened almond milk or other non-dairy milk
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook your vegan sausage crumbles in a large skillet over medium-high heat, following the package directions.
2. Add flour to the remaining fat in the skillet and whisk until combined. Cook until golden brown and fragrant.
3. Slowly whisk in almond milk or other non-dairy milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Cook until thickened and smooth.
4. Add cooked vegan sausage back into skillet and stir until heated through.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add cayenne pepper if desired for added spice.

Gluten-Free Recipe

Gluten-free eaters can still enjoy the deliciousness of sausage gravy by using a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour. Here’s a recipe to try:

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground pork sausage
• 1/4 cup gluten-free flour blend
• 2 cups milk or heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook your sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Remove from skillet and set aside.
2. Add gluten-free flour blend to the remaining fat in the skillet and whisk until combined. Cook until golden brown and fragrant.
3. Slowly whisk in milk or cream, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Cook until thickened and smooth.
4. Add cooked sausage back into skillet and stir until heated through.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add cayenne pepper if desired for added spice.

Low-Carb Recipe

If you’re following a low-carb diet, you can still indulge in sausage gravy by using heavy cream as your thickener instead of flour. Here’s a recipe to try:

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground pork sausage
• 2 cups heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook your sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Remove from skillet and set aside.
2. Add heavy cream to the remaining fat in the skillet and stir until fully combined.
3. Simmer the cream over low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has thickened and reduced slightly.
4. Add cooked sausage back into the skillet and stir until heated through.
5. Season with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper if desired for extra flavor.

Tips for Consistent Results

Tips on How to Make Perfect Sausage Gravy Every TimeFrequently Asked Questions About Sausage Gravy Recipe

1. What is sausage gravy?

Sausage gravy is a traditional Southern American dish made with ground sausage, flour, milk, and seasoning. It’s often served over biscuits for breakfast or brunch.

2. Is sausage gravy hard to make?

No, sausage gravy is incredibly easy to make. All you need is a few ingredients and a little bit of time. In fact, it’s one of the simplest, yet most delicious, breakfast dishes out there.

3. Can I use different types of sausage?

Absolutely! You can use any type of sausage you like, from spicy to mild. Just make sure to adjust the seasoning accordingly.

4. Can I make sausage gravy ahead of time?

Yes, you can make sausage gravy ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Simply reheat it on the stove or in the microwave when you’re ready to eat.

5. What should I serve with sausage gravy?

• Biscuits are the traditional side for sausage gravy, but you can also serve it over toast or hash browns.
• Eggs and bacon are also great additions to your breakfast meal with this dish.

6. How do I thicken my sausage gravy?

The easiest way to thicken your sausage gravy is by adding more flour. Mix a tablespoon of flour with cold water and whisk until smooth before adding it to the pan.

7. Are there any variations of sausage gravy recipe?

• You can add diced onions or garlic for extra flavor.
• You can use chicken, turkey, or vegetarian sausage instead of ground pork sausage.
• Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
• Try using different types of milk for richer flavor; evaporated or heavy cream will turn it into a creamier gravy.