Imagine starting your day with a warm, comforting plate of flaky biscuits smothered in a rich, savory sausage gravy. This classic Southern breakfast is a staple for a reason, and we’re excited to share our simple, authentic recipe with you.
With just 4 ingredients and 15 minutes, you can create a breakfast experience that’s not only delicious but also better than your favorite restaurant. Our recipe is perfect for beginners and seasoned cooks alike, delivering professional results with minimal effort.
This recipe has been perfected over years, balancing flavors to create the ultimate comfort food. Get ready to enjoy a hearty, satisfying meal that will keep you going all morning.
Table of Contents
The Ultimate Southern Comfort Breakfast
As the weather cools down, there’s no better way to start your day than with a warm, comforting plate of sausage biscuits and gravy. This traditional Southern breakfast has been a staple for generations, providing a hearty and filling meal that’s perfect for families. The rich history of sausage gravy and biscuits is rooted in the need for economical and satisfying meals.
The combination of savory sausage gravy and buttery biscuits has stood the test of time as a beloved comfort food. It’s a meal that brings people together around the breakfast table, creating memories that last a lifetime. While traditionally served at breakfast, this dish is delicious any time of day. Making it from scratch elevates the flavor beyond what you’d get from packaged mixes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to creating a mouth-watering sausage biscuits and gravy dish. To make this recipe, you’ll need a combination of pantry staples and a few key ingredients.
For the Buttermilk Biscuits
🧂 2 cups all-purpose flour
🥄 4 teaspoons baking powder
🧂 1 teaspoon salt
🧈 1/2 cup cold butter
🥛 3/4 cup buttermilk
For the Sausage Gravy
🥩 1 pound high-quality breakfast sausage
🥄 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for thickening)
🥛 2 cups milk
🧂 Pinch of salt and pepper
Choosing the right sausage is key; opt for a sage variety if available, as it adds more flavor to your gravy. The simplicity of the ingredient list belies the importance of quality in each component.
Making Perfect Buttermilk Biscuits
To create light and flaky buttermilk biscuits from scratch, it’s important to follow each step carefully. Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of flour with baking powder, sugar, and salt. These dry ingredients serve as the base for your biscuits, so make sure they are thoroughly mixed.
Next, grate in cold butter and work it into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. This step is crucial for creating a flaky texture. Then, stir in butter milk until a loose dough forms. Be careful not to overwork the dough, as this can lead to tough biscuits.
Lightly flour your work surface and gently shape the dough into a rectangle about 1½ inches thick. Using a round biscuit cutter, cut out four biscuits. Gather the scraps, gently reshape the dough, and cut out two additional biscuits. Arrange the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet, making sure to leave space between each one to allow for proper rising. For a golden, glossy finish, brush the tops with melted butter if desired.
For the best results, bake the biscuits for 12-15 minutes or until they’re golden brown. While homemade biscuits are always best, you can use store-bought biscuits in a pinch. By following these steps, you’ll be able to create delicious, flakybiscuitsto serve with your sausage gravy.
How to Make Sausage Gravy From Scratch
The key to a great sausage gravy lies in browning the sausage properly. To make sausage gravy, you start by placing sausage in a skillet over medium/high heat. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to break up and crumble the sausage as it cooks, ensuring it’s completely browned and no pink remains.
It’s essential not to drain your skillet; you want to retain at least a tablespoon or up to two tablespoons of grease for the gravy. If there’s more grease than this, you may wish to drain some. Sausage browning is crucial as it develops the flavor.
Next, sprinkle flour evenly over the sausage crumbles to create a roux, stirring frequently until the flour is absorbed, which takes about a minute. Then, slowly drizzle milk into your skillet, stirring as you pour to prevent lumps from forming.
Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens and reaches your desired consistency. This process should take just a few minutes. Season the gravy with salt, pepper, and, if desired, a pinch of red pepper flakes to suit your taste. Constant stirring is key to preventing the gravy from burning or sticking.
With these steps, you’ll have a delicious homemade gravy that’s significantly more flavorful than packaged alternatives. Enjoy your sausage gravy over biscuits or your favorite breakfast dish!
Tips for the Best Sausage Biscuits and Gravy
With a few expert tips, you can transform your sausage biscuits and gravy into a culinary masterpiece. To start, it’s crucial to keep the fat from the sausage, as it develops rich flavor in the gravy. Using whole milk is also essential for achieving the proper gravy consistency.
Proper seasoning is important; a balance of salt &pepper can make all the difference. If the flavor tastes less than amazing, a few more shakes of salt might be all you need. To avoid lumps, break up any flour clumps after adding it to the sausage but before adding the whole milk. This simple step ensures a smooth gravy.
Timing is everything when preparing this recipe. To have both biscuits and gravy ready to serve hot, plan your preparation accordingly. With practice, you’ll learn to adjust the seasonings to your preference, making this recipe truly yours. By following these tips, you’ll elevate your breakfast game and enjoy a delicious, restaurant-quality sausage biscuits and gravy dish.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
Preparing your breakfast the night before can be a game-changer, especially when it comes to dishes like sausage biscuits and gravy. You can make sausage gravy ahead of time to save time in the morning. Simply prepare the gravy as instructed, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
To reheat, place the gravy in a skillet over medium/low heat. Since the gravy will likely thicken during refrigeration, add a splash of milk and stir well until the mixture is heated through. You can store the sausage gravy for up to 3 to 5 days in the fridge.
For the biscuits, once they’re completely cooled, store them in an airtight container or zip-top bag. They can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerated for up to 1 week. You can also freeze baked biscuits for longer storage. To refresh day-old biscuits, simply warm them up in the oven.
By making ahead and storing properly, you can enjoy your gravy biscuits at your convenience. Whether you’re make sausage gravy from scratch or using leftover gravy, these tips will help you save time during breakfast.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
To enjoy your sausage biscuits and gravy to the fullest, consider a few serving suggestions that complement its rich flavors. The tried-and-true method of simply spooning the gravy over a split biscuit is always a winner.
For a complete breakfast, serve your biscuits and gravy with some fresh fruit, such as a big glass of orange juice, a banana, or half a grapefruit. You can also add a sprinkle of black pepper to taste, as many people like to add extra black pepper at the table.
When serving, consider balancing the richness of the gravy with complementary side dishes and beverages. A well-rounded breakfast spread featuring your make sausage biscuits and gravy as the centerpiece, along with a few thoughtful pairings, will surely impress your guests.
Conclusion
As you master this homemade sausage gravy recipe, you’ll wonder how you ever settled for pre-packaged alternatives. This breakfast staple elevates a simple comfort food to something special, making it a perfect addition to your regular rotation. By following the tips outlined, you’ll ensure success with this delicious recipe. Feel free to make it your own by personalizing it to your taste. While it requires a bit more effort, the flavor difference is well worth it, and it can become a cherished family tradition for weekend breakfasts. Try this recipe today and enjoy the warm, hearty goodness of homemade gravy biscuits!
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