Sausage gravy is a classic Southern dish that is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It's easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients. This step-by-step guide will show you how to make sausage gravy like a pro.
Sausage gravy is a versatile dish that can be served over biscuits, pancakes, waffles, potatoes, or even eggs. It's also a great way to use up leftover sausage. If you're looking for a hearty and flavorful meal, sausage gravy is a great option.
Now that you know a little bit about sausage gravy, let's get started on making it. Here's what you'll need:
How to Make Sausage Gravy
Sausage gravy is a classic Southern dish that is perfect for any meal. Here are 8 important points to remember when making sausage gravy:
- Use high-quality sausage.
- Brown the sausage thoroughly.
- Make a roux with butter and flour.
- Add milk or cream slowly.
- Season the gravy to taste.
- Serve the gravy hot.
- Enjoy the gravy with your favorite breakfast foods.
- Store the gravy properly.
By following these simple tips, you can make a delicious and flavorful sausage gravy that your family and friends will love.
Use high-quality sausage.
The type of sausage you use will make a big difference in the flavor of your gravy. Look for a sausage that is made with high-quality meat and spices. Avoid sausages that are made with fillers or extenders. Some good options include:
- Pork sausage
- Breakfast sausage
- Italian sausage
- Chorizo
If you can, try to find a sausage that is made locally. Local sausages are often made with fresher ingredients and have a better flavor.
Once you have selected a sausage, brown it thoroughly in a skillet over medium heat. This will help to develop the flavor of the sausage and prevent it from becoming greasy.
When the sausage is browned, remove it from the skillet and set it aside. Drain off any excess grease.
Now that you have browned your sausage, you are ready to make the gravy. Follow the steps in the recipe below to make a delicious and flavorful sausage gravy.
Brown the sausage thoroughly.
Once you have selected a high-quality sausage, it is important to brown it thoroughly before making the gravy. Browning the sausage will help to develop its flavor and prevent it from becoming greasy.
- Use a large skillet.
This will give the sausage plenty of room to brown evenly.
- Cook the sausage over medium heat.
This will help to prevent the sausage from burning.
- Stir the sausage frequently.
This will help to ensure that it browns evenly.
- Brown the sausage until it is cooked through.
This will typically take about 10 minutes.
Once the sausage is browned, remove it from the skillet and set it aside. Drain off any excess grease.
Make a roux with butter and flour.
A roux is a mixture of equal parts butter and flour that is used to thicken sauces and gravies. It is an essential component of sausage gravy.
- Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Once the butter is melted, add the flour.
- Whisk the butter and flour together until they are well combined.
- Cook the roux for 1-2 minutes, or until it is golden brown.
The roux should be thick and bubbly. It will be the base of your sausage gravy.
Add milk or cream slowly.
Once you have made the roux, it is time to add the milk or cream. You can use whole milk, low-fat milk, or even cream. The type of milk or cream you use will affect the thickness and flavor of the gravy. Whole milk will produce a thicker, richer gravy, while low-fat milk or cream will produce a lighter gravy. You can also use a combination of milk and cream.
To add the milk or cream, start by whisking a small amount into the roux. Then, gradually whisk in the remaining milk or cream until you have reached the desired consistency. The gravy should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
If you are using cream, be careful not to add too much, as this can make the gravy too thick and heavy. If you accidentally add too much cream, you can thin it out by adding a little bit of milk.
Once you have added the milk or cream, bring the gravy to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until the gravy has thickened to your liking.
Season the gravy to taste with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices. Serve the gravy hot over your favorite breakfast foods.
Season the gravy to taste.
Once the gravy has simmered and thickened, it is time to season it to taste. This is where you can add your own personal touch to the gravy.
- Start with salt and pepper.
These are the two most basic seasonings, and they go well with just about anything. Add a little bit of each to the gravy and taste it. Adjust the seasonings as needed.
- Add other spices.
Some common spices that are used in sausage gravy include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper. You can also add fresh herbs, such as thyme or rosemary. Experiment with different spices until you find a combination that you like.
- Taste the gravy as you go.
The best way to season the gravy is to taste it as you go. This will help you to avoid over-seasoning the gravy.
- Don't be afraid to experiment.
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to seasoning sausage gravy. Feel free to experiment with different spices and herbs until you find a combination that you love.
Once you are satisfied with the flavor of the gravy, serve it hot over your favorite breakfast foods.
Serve the gravy hot.
Sausage gravy is best served hot. This will help to keep the gravy from congealing. You can serve the gravy over your favorite breakfast foods, such as biscuits, pancakes, waffles, or potatoes.
- If you are making the gravy ahead of time, reheat it over low heat before serving.
This will help to prevent the gravy from burning.
- You can also keep the gravy warm in a slow cooker.
This is a good option if you are serving the gravy at a party or brunch.
- If you have any leftover gravy, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat the gravy over low heat before serving.
- You can also freeze the gravy for up to 3 months.
To freeze the gravy, let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. When you are ready to serve the gravy, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for several hours. Reheat the gravy over low heat before serving.
No matter how you choose to serve it, sausage gravy is a delicious and hearty meal that is sure to please everyone at the table.
Enjoy the gravy with your favorite breakfast foods.
Sausage gravy is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of breakfast foods. Here are a few ideas:
- Biscuits.
Sausage gravy and biscuits is a classic Southern breakfast combination. The gravy is poured over the biscuits and then topped with a fried egg.
- Pancakes.
Sausage gravy can also be served over pancakes. The gravy adds a savory flavor to the pancakes that is sure to please everyone at the table.
- Waffles.
Sausage gravy is also a great topping for waffles. The gravy can be served on the side or poured over the waffles.
- Potatoes.
Sausage gravy can also be served over potatoes. The gravy adds a delicious flavor to the potatoes that makes them a great side dish for breakfast or dinner.
No matter how you choose to serve it, sausage gravy is a delicious and hearty meal that is sure to please everyone at the table.
Store the gravy properly.
If you have any leftover sausage gravy, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To store the gravy, let it cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. When you are ready to serve the gravy, reheat it over low heat until it is warmed through.
You can also freeze the gravy for up to 3 months. To freeze the gravy, let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. When you are ready to serve the gravy, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for several hours. Reheat the gravy over low heat until it is warmed through.
When reheating the gravy, be sure to stir it frequently to prevent it from scorching.
Here are a few tips for storing sausage gravy properly:
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about how to make sausage gravy:
Question 1: What type of sausage should I use?
Answer: You can use any type of sausage you like, but pork sausage and breakfast sausage are the most common types used for sausage gravy.
Question 2: How do I brown the sausage?
Answer: Cook the sausage over medium heat in a large skillet until it is browned and cooked through. Be sure to break up the sausage into small pieces as it cooks.
Question 3: What is a roux?
Answer: A roux is a mixture of equal parts butter and flour that is used to thicken sauces and gravies. To make a roux, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the flour and whisk until the mixture is smooth and golden brown.
Question 4: How do I add the milk or cream?
Answer: Once you have made the roux, slowly whisk the milk or cream into the roux. Be sure to whisk constantly to prevent the gravy from curdling.
Question 5: How do I season the gravy?
Answer: Season the gravy to taste with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices. Some common spices that are used in sausage gravy include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
Question 6: How do I serve the gravy?
Answer: Sausage gravy is typically served over biscuits, pancakes, waffles, or potatoes. You can also use sausage gravy as a dipping sauce for chicken or pork.
Question 7: Can I make sausage gravy ahead of time?
Answer: Yes, you can make sausage gravy ahead of time. Let the gravy cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you are ready to serve the gravy, reheat it over low heat until it is warmed through.
We hope these FAQs have answered your questions about how to make sausage gravy. If you have any other questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Now that you know how to make sausage gravy, here are a few tips to help you make the best gravy possible:
Tips
Here are a few tips to help you make the best sausage gravy possible:
Tip 1: Use high-quality sausage.
The type of sausage you use will make a big difference in the flavor of your gravy. Look for a sausage that is made with high-quality meat and spices. Avoid sausages that are made with fillers or extenders.
Tip 2: Brown the sausage thoroughly.
Browning the sausage will help to develop its flavor and prevent it from becoming greasy. Cook the sausage over medium heat until it is browned and cooked through. Be sure to break up the sausage into small pieces as it cooks.
Tip 3: Make a roux with butter and flour.
A roux is a mixture of equal parts butter and flour that is used to thicken sauces and gravies. To make a roux, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the flour and whisk until the mixture is smooth and golden brown.
Tip 4: Add the milk or cream slowly.
Once you have made the roux, slowly whisk the milk or cream into the roux. Be sure to whisk constantly to prevent the gravy from curdling.
Tip 5: Season the gravy to taste.
Season the gravy to taste with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices. Some common spices that are used in sausage gravy include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
Tip 6: Serve the gravy hot.
Sausage gravy is best served hot. You can serve it over biscuits, pancakes, waffles, or potatoes. You can also use sausage gravy as a dipping sauce for chicken or pork.
Tip 7: Store the gravy properly.
If you have any leftover sausage gravy, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To store the gravy, let it cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. When you are ready to serve the gravy, reheat it over low heat until it is warmed through.
We hope these tips have helped you to make the best sausage gravy possible. Enjoy!
Now that you know how to make sausage gravy, let's talk about some of the different ways you can use it.
Conclusion
Sausage gravy is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients. In this article, we have shown you how to make sausage gravy step-by-step.
Here are the main points to remember when making sausage gravy:
- Use high-quality sausage.
- Brown the sausage thoroughly.
- Make a roux with butter and flour.
- Add the milk or cream slowly.
- Season the gravy to taste.
- Serve the gravy hot.
We hope you have enjoyed learning how to make sausage gravy. We encourage you to experiment with different types of sausage and spices to create your own unique recipe.
Sausage gravy is a great way to use up leftover sausage. It can also be used as a topping for casseroles, or as a dipping sauce for chicken or pork.
We hope you enjoy making and eating sausage gravy!