• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
State of Dinner
  • Recipes
  • Kitchen Tips
  • State Dishes
  • Start Here
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Kitchen Tips
  • State Dishes
  • Start Here
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Kitchen Tips
    • State Dishes
    • Start Here
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Breakfast Recipes » Southern Country Sausage Gravy

    Southern Country Sausage Gravy

    Published: Nov 10, 2020 · Modified: Nov 5, 2022 by Erin · This post may contain affiliate links · 9 Comments

    • Share
    • Twitter
    Jump to Recipe
    Pinterest Pin: Sawmill gravy in a pan with biscuits.

    Southern Country Gravy is a rich and flavorful gravy that takes just 10 minutes to make. It is the perfect accompaniment to homemade biscuits for a comforting breakfast.

    Pan of sawmill sausage gravy with basket of biscuits.
    Jump to:
    • What is Southern Country Gravy?
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    What is Southern Country Gravy?

    Southern country gravy is also called sawmill gravy. It is made with meat drippings, flour, and milk. It can be traced all the way back to the early 1800s. Sawmill workers needed an inexpensive, calorie-dense breakfast to feel them for a day of hauling logs.

    When I was young my mom would often make biscuits and gravy as a weekend treat. This recipe is the exact same one that she made! While super simple, it is so good that even after years of making it myself I never needed to change a single thing.

    Ingredients

    This recipe is so easy, there are just 4 simple ingredients!

    • Sausage - Your favorite ground breakfast sausage can be used. I love to use hot sausage but mild works as well.
    • Flour - All-purpose flour is standard for this recipe but you can also use a gluten-free substitution. Take a look at the bag to find out the substitution ratio.
    • Milk - Lowfat or whole milk can be used.
    • Salt - I use Kosher salt but table salt can also be used.

    Instructions

    Step One: Brown the Sausage

    • In a medium skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat, breaking it into small crumbs as it cooks.
    • Continue cooking until there is no more pink.
    Pan of browned breakfast sausage.

    Step Two: Cook the Flour

    • Depending on the fat content of your sausage, you may have several tablespoons, or you may need to add a little more oil. You want 2-3 tablespoons of oil total.
    • Stir the flour into the oil, and cook along with the sausage for 2 minutes.
    • If you do not cook your flour then the gravy will have a glue-like taste. When the flour is just beginning to turn golden, you are ready to add the milk.

    Step Three: Add Milk

    • Pour the milk in all at once, and continue cooking, while stirring occasionally.
    • After about 5 minutes, the gravy will thicken.
    Gravy with milk added to it, before it has been cooked to thicken.

    Step Four: Finish with Salt

    • Don't forget the salt! I cannot tell you how many times I have served biscuits and gravy, only to take one bite and exclaim, "I forgot the salt!" Fortunately, it's an easy thing to fix. But still best if you remember to add the salt before serving. It's a game-changer with the flavor.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I make southern sausage gravy recipe without milk?

    Gravy can be made dairy-free with an equal substitution of either almond milk or cashew milk!

    Can I make sawmill gravy without the meat?

    Traditionally, sawmill gravy is made using the grease leftover from cooking bacon or sausage. You can use these drippings and save your meat for later, if you want a smooth gravy. This is often desired when serving with fried chicken.

    For a completely meat-free gravy, skip the sausage completely and use 3 tablespoons of canola oil or butter to make your roux.

    Why is my gravy lumpy?

    If you add the milk into the gravy before the flour has been cooked into the oil, the flour will form clumps in the milk. To avoid this, cook the flour and oil together for a couple of minutes, then add the milk all at once, and stir well.

    Serving Suggestions

    • I think the best way to enjoy sawmill sausage gravy is with buttermilk biscuits. It is one of our family's favorite things to make for brunch!
    • It is also delicious with fried chicken!

    This recipe was a part of our Exploring the States series. We enjoyed it for our Mississippi state dinner!

    Check out the sausage gravy web story!

    Skillet of sausage gravy with a spoon, blue checkered towell on the side.

    Let me know how you like this recipe by leaving a review! And follow along on Instagram @stateofdinner for behind the scenes and to be among the first to know when new recipes post!

    Recipe

    pan of gravy with basket of biscuits.

    Southern Country Sausage Gravy

    Recipe by: Erin
    This 10-minute gravy is rich and flavorful. Serve it with buttermilk biscuits for the perfect breakfast meal!
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 2 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 12 mins
    Course Breakfast, Brunch
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 275 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • ½ pound good quality sausage I like to use the hot variety
    • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
    • 2 cups cold milk
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • In a skillet with high sides, brown sausage over medium heat. Break up the sausage into smaller chunks as it cooks. Once the sausage is browned, take a look at the amount of grease in the pan, and add additional oil, if necessary, to bring it to a couple of tablespoons of oil. 
    • Add in the flour to the pan and stir for a couple of minutes.
    • Add milk all at one time, and whisk well. Cook until thick and bubbly, stirring occasionally.
    • Add salt, and serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 275kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 704mg | Potassium: 302mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 240IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 143mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Share a photo of your creation with your friends!Mention @stateofdinner or tag #stateofdinner!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Sabrina

      July 20, 2021 at 2:38 pm

      5 stars
      Simple easy and classic 🙂

      Reply
    2. Elizabeth

      July 20, 2021 at 9:37 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious recipe! We loved it!

      Reply
    3. Ramona

      July 20, 2021 at 1:27 am

      5 stars
      I’ve never made a sawmill gravy before but now it will be on my favourites list. Delicious!

      Reply
    4. Brianna

      July 19, 2021 at 8:38 pm

      5 stars
      Takes me right back to my grandma's kitchen!

      Reply
    5. Kristina

      July 19, 2021 at 4:42 pm

      5 stars
      My kids love this over biscuits, with extra sausage on the side.

      Reply
    6. Nora

      July 19, 2021 at 12:38 pm

      5 stars
      I love this quick and easy recipe! Perfect when you are short on time!

      Reply
    7. Brianna May

      July 19, 2021 at 11:18 am

      5 stars
      Yum!!

      Reply
    8. Angela

      July 19, 2021 at 11:11 am

      5 stars
      Such a delicious and easy recipe. My family loves it!

      Reply
    9. Liz

      July 19, 2021 at 10:04 am

      5 stars
      There's nothing like a good sawmill gravy and this sure is!

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Photo of Erin Gierhart

    Welcome! I'm Erin, wife, mom, and lover of great food. I am passionate about cooking mostly from scratch recipes that bring comfort, without spending all day in the kitchen. Most recipes on this site can be made in under 30 minutes! This approach to cooking allows me to provide delicious meals for my family while freeing up time to spend with those I love.

    Let's Get Started→

    Popular Recipes

    • Cardamom Shortbread Cookies with Orange Glaze Recipe
    • No-Bake Peanut Butter Buckeye Bars
    • Sweet Potato Pie (With Sweetened Condensed Milk)
    • Homemade Whipped Cream Recipe for a Dispenser
    • How to Stabilize Whipped Cream with Cream of Tartar
    • Sour Cream Enchilada Casserole

    Winter Favorites

    • 30-Minute Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup
    • Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas
    • No Bean Steak Chili
    • Marshmallow Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Oven Pot Roast with Red Wine
    • Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
    • Creamy Knoephla Soup (Potato and Dumpling Soup)
    • Peppermint Mocha Cookies

    As Featured In

    Logos of the various publications where State of Dinner has been featured.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Get Started Here
    • Privacy Policy & Disclaimer

    Accessibility

    • Accessibility Policy

    Let's Work Together

    • Collaboration

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 State of Dinner