Classic Biscuits and Gravy Recipe

2022-11-04

By Southern Comfort Cookin'

Southern Cuisine

Breakfast

Classic Biscuits and Gravy is a Southern staple. This easy recipe features fluffy homemade biscuits and a creamy sausage gravy that's perfect for breakfast or brunch. 

Taste the Flavors of the Appalachians with This Traditional Southern Dish

A traditional southern main course that originated in the southern region of the United States, particularly in the Appalachian Mountains. The dish has its roots in the traditional Scottish and English breakfast of biscuits and gravy. 

 Warm Your Belly and Delight Your Palate

The dish typically consists of warm, flaky biscuits served with a creamy, sausage gravy. 

More Than Just Breakfast

The gravy is made from pan-fried breakfast sausage, flour, milk, and a blend of herbs and spices, such as sage and black pepper. 

Complement Your Southern Breakfast with the Winning Combination

The dish is often served with bacon, eggs, and grits on the side, and is a staple of southern breakfast and brunch menus. Biscuits and gravy became particularly popular in the Appalachian Mountains of the southern United States, where settlers from Scotland and England brought their traditional cooking styles with them.

Origins of Biscuits and Gravy 

The dish was also a popular breakfast food among the rural farming communities of the region, where it was an affordable and filling meal that could be made with simple ingredients. Over time, biscuits and gravy became a mainstay in southern cuisine and became popular across the United States. 

 Southern Brunch Classic

It is now a beloved comfort food that is often enjoyed as a breakfast or brunch dish, but can also be served as a main course for lunch or dinner.

Pitfalls on Biscuits and Gravy

 Biscuit Dough: Making the perfect biscuit can be challenging, as it requires a balance between baking powder, salt, butter or shortening, and flour. It’s important to not overmix the dough, use chilled butter or shortening, and work with cold ingredients to create a flaky and tender texture. Adding a bit of buttermilk or milk to the mixture can give the biscuits a creamy and tart flavor that goes well with the gravy.

 Gravy Taste: Gravy is a meat-based sauce that is served over the biscuits. Getting the gravy right can be a challenge as it needs to be rich, creamy, and flavorful. Browning the meat, using the right amount of flour, and choosing spices are some things to consider while making the gravy. Adding breakfast sausage or bacon to the gravy can give it more texture, flavor, and color.

 Consistency of Gravy: Gravy should be rich and thick enough to have a good drip over the biscuits, but too much flour will make it lumpy or thick, so it’s important to add just enough flour or cornstarch to create the desired consistency. You can also mix in some milk, cream, or broth to thin the gravy out or adjust the seasoning.

 Timing: Timing the preparation of the biscuits and gravy can be a challenge as they cook at their own pace. Starting with the gravy while the biscuits are cooking is often recommended - it's important to keep an eye on the gravy while it simmers. Keeping the biscuits warm in the oven after baking can also help to keep them fresh for serving.

 Serving: Serving Biscuits and Gravy can be challenging, as over-saucing the biscuits can make them too soggy and less appetizing. It’s important to serve the gravy in pourable portions, allowing the diners to add more sauce to the biscuit as needed. Grated cheese or dried herbs can also be added as garnish to provide another layer of flavor and texture.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 tsp sugar

• 2 tbsp baking powder

• 1 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold

• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk

• 1 lb breakfast sausage

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

• 4 cups whole milk

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut the cold butter into small pieces and add to dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.

3. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the buttermilk. Stir gently until the dough comes together.

4. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead gently for 1-2 minutes. Roll out the dough to 1/2 inch thickness.

5. Use a biscuit cutter to cut out biscuits and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.

6. While the biscuits are baking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the breakfast sausage and cook until browned and cooked through, breaking up the sausage into small pieces as it cooks.

7. Sprinkle flour over the sausage and stir well.

8. Gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Cook over medium heat until the gravy thickens, stirring frequently. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

9. Serve the biscuits warm with gravy spooned over the top.

Preparation Time 10 min

Cook Time 20 min

Total time 30 min

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 480

Fat: 24 g

Saturated Fat: 13 g

Carbohydrates: 46 g

Fiber: 2 g

Sugar: 6 g

Protein: 18 g

Regional Ingredients Variations of Biscuits and Gravy

Kentucky, they may use country ham in the gravy instead of sausage, giving it a saltier, meaty flavor. This version of Biscuits and Gravy is known as "Kentucky-style Biscuits and Gravy."

the South, they may use a bit of red-eye gravy, made by incorporating coffee or bacon drippings into the gravy, for a slightly bitter, smoky flavor. This version of Biscuits and Gravy is known as "Southern-style Biscuits and Gravy."

Missouri, they may use a layer of scrambled eggs in between the biscuit and gravy, giving the dish a bit of extra protein and making it a hearty breakfast. This version of Biscuits and Gravy is known as "Ozark-style Biscuits and Gravy."

Wisconsin, they may add a layer of cheese curds to the dish, melting them in with the gravy to create a rich, cheesy version of Biscuits and Gravy. This version of Biscuits and Gravy is known as "Wisconsin-style Biscuits and Gravy."

New Mexico, they may add a bit of green chile to the gravy, for a slightly spicy, smokey flavor. This version of Biscuits and Gravy is known as "New Mexico-style Biscuits and Gravy."

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