Our Hamburger Gravy is deliciously creamy and rich in flavor, made with ground beef and basic pantry spices. Can’t beat an easy, 30-minute dinner using ingredients you already have on hand!
Save any leftover Hamburger gravy to serve with our Homemade Egg Noodles, Buttermilk Biscuits, or Breakfast Potatoes.
If you’re craving real homemade comfort food, this old-fashioned Hamburger Gravy is truly satisfying. Its warm and familiar aroma fills my home while it’s cooking, and we enjoy it as a slow family meal; even my pickiest eaters lick their plates clean with this one!
HAMBURGER GRAVY INGREDIENTS:
- Ground Beef: We often use half ground sausage and half ground beef for a boost of flavor. Ground turkey or chicken may also be used.
- Onion: If you don’t have onions on-hand, a ½ teaspoon of onion powder could be substituted.
- Garlic: Same with garlic! If you have no garlic handy, a ½ teaspoon of garlic powder may be substituted.
- Butter.
- Flour: For thickening. Cornstarch may be substituted, but only use half as much ( 1 ½ Tablespoons).
- Milk: Whole milk or half & half is best; avoid skim milk altogether.
- Spices (including beef bouillon paste, cubes or granules).
HOW TO MAKE HAMBURGER GRAVY:
- Brown Ground beef: In a deep skillet over medium-high heat, cook and crumble ground beef into small pieces until browned. Add onion and sauté until softened.
- Thicken: Stir in flour and butter, then milk and seasonings. Cook and stir until gravy thickens.
- Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking and serve.
SERVE HAMBURGER GRAVY OVER:
- Mashed potatoes
- Pasta
- Rice
- Biscuits
- Bread or toast
- Breakfast potatoes
SIDES FOR HAMBURGER GRAVY:
Remember your veggies! Two scrumptious sides that complement this hearty gravy are green beans and roasted vegetables.
RECIPE VARIATIONS:
- Dairy-free: Omit the butter and substitute milk for beef broth. You may need to increase the flour by 1-2 tablespoons to help thicken the sauce.
- Veggies: Mushrooms are a delicious addition to the gravy as are frozen peas or corn.
- Meat: Adding bacon will give it an even richer, bolder flavor. If you switch out ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken, the bacon will definitely up the taste since turkey and chicken are a bit bland. A lean and tender cut of steak will also work! For sausage gravy, substitute ground pork sausage.
- Steak sauce: Ah, that tangy sauce that I remember so well in my childhood! Takes me back to my school days when mashed potatoes and gravy were on my top 3 list of favorite foods! Use any steak sauce in place of the seasonings.
- Sour cream: For a creamier consistency, try adding some sour cream to the mix.
STORING AND FREEZING INSTRUCTIONS
To store: Store leftover hamburger gravy in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Rewarm in the microwave or stovetop, adding a little milk or broth to thin it as needed.
To freeze: Cook the meat and add spices. Allow to cool and then store in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then add to skillet with butter, flour and half & half. Cook until thickened. Taste and season, as needed.
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Recipe
Hamburger Gravy
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef*
- 1/3 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 tablespoons butter
- 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons beef bouillon paste , or 2 bullion cubes
- 2 ½ cups milk
- 1/8 teaspoon ground sage
- 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
- salt and pepper , to taste
- Crushed red pepper flakes , to taste, optional
Options for Serving:
- Mashed potatoes, Pasta, Rice, Biscuits. Bread or toast, Breakfast potatoes
- Green beans or roasted vegetables.
Instructions
- Add ground beef to a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, crumbling into small pieces, until browned. Remove most (but not all) of the grease. Add onions to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add flour and butter and stir to coat the meat. Add milk and seasonings. Cook, stirring frequently, until gravy is thickened, 5-10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings, as needed.
- Serve warm, over mashed potatoes, biscuits, bread, noodles, rice or breakfast potatoes.
Notes
- Dairy-free: Omit the butter and use beef broth in place of milk. You may need to increase the flour by 1-2 tablespoons to help thicken the sauce.
- Veggies: Mushrooms are a delicious addition to the gravy as are frozen peas or corn.
- Meat: Adding bacon for an even richer, bolder flavor. If you switch out ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken, the bacon will definitely up the taste since turkey and chicken are a bit bland. A lean and tender cut of steak will also work! For sausage gravy, substitute ground pork sausage.
- Steak sauce: Ah, that tangy sauce that I remember so well in my childhood! Takes me back to my school days when mashed potatoes and gravy were on my top 3 list of favorite foods! Use any steak sauce in place of the seasonings.
- Sour cream: For a creamier consistency, try adding some sour cream to the mix.
STORING AND FREEZING INSTRUCTIONS
Storing Instructions: Store leftover hamburger gravy in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Rewarm in the microwave or stovetop, adding a little milk or broth to thin it as needed. Freezing Instructions: Cook the meat and add spices. Allow to cool and then store in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then add to skillet with butter, flour and half & half. Cook until thickened. Taste and season, as needed.Nutrition
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My mom make hamburger gravy all the time while me and my 3 brothers were growing up. We were all healthy eaters so the need for cheap was needed, lol. She would also make Bologna gravy. I hated but I’m not sure if people make that anymore?
Excellent recipe, Probably The Best hamburger gravy i have ever had! I have had hamburger gravy cooked every way know and this is by far the best ever!..Definitely would Recommend
Thank you for such a wonderful recipe
I served in the military, This was served every morning in the ness hall. It was called SOS.