Southern Sausage Gravy

The warm, peppery richness of this Southern Sausage Gravy is the ultimate comfort food that brings back memories of cozy breakfasts and slow Sunday mornings. Each bite is a delicious medley of browned sausage, creamy milk, and bold black pepper, making it the perfect topping for fluffy biscuits or crispy hash browns.

This copycat Cracker Barrel version is just as flavorful as the original and possibly better because it’s made with love right in your own kitchen. No fancy ingredients needed just a skillet, five simple staples, and a few minutes of your time. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just treating yourself, this dish is guaranteed to satisfy your savory cravings.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb pork breakfast sausage

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

• 2 1/2 cups whole milk

• 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)

Directions:

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sausage until browned and fully cooked, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks.

2. Once the sausage is cooked through, reduce heat to medium. Do not drain the grease.

3. Sprinkle the flour evenly over the sausage and stir to coat the meat well. Cook for 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.

4. Gradually pour in the milk while stirring constantly to prevent lumps.

5. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook, stirring frequently, until the gravy thickens—about 5-10 minutes.

6. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

7. Serve hot over biscuits, toast, hash browns, or country-fried potatoes.

Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes
Kcal: 310 kcal | Servings: 6 servings

Southern Sausage Gravy is more than just a breakfast dish it’s a culinary hug. Rich, creamy, savory, and infused with the robust flavor of seasoned pork sausage, this dish has been a staple on breakfast tables across the American South for generations. Whether ladled over freshly baked buttermilk biscuits, poured on top of hash browns, or served alongside eggs and toast, sausage gravy brings warmth, satisfaction, and a touch of nostalgia to any meal.

This Cracker Barrel copycat version is a spot-on replica of the restaurant classic, allowing you to bring that same beloved flavor home. With just a few basic ingredients and a simple cooking method, this recipe is ideal for both seasoned home cooks and beginners seeking to recreate an authentic Southern breakfast experience.

The Roots of Sausage Gravy in Southern Cuisine

Sausage gravy has its origins in the Southern United States, where resourcefulness in the kitchen gave rise to some of the most flavorful and filling dishes in the American culinary canon. It was traditionally made with leftover pork sausage and rendered fat from the morning’s meat, thickened with flour and milk to create a hearty gravy that could stretch to feed a whole family.

Often served over “cathead biscuits” (so-called because they’re about the size of a cat’s head), sausage gravy became synonymous with a good, filling breakfast especially in rural areas. Farmers and laborers relied on dishes like this to fuel them through long mornings, and the tradition has remained strong to this day.

Why You’ll Love This Version

What makes this recipe so special is its simplicity. You don’t need a long list of hard-to-find ingredients. Everything can be made in one skillet, in under 20 minutes, using basic pantry staples. Despite its simplicity, the flavor is deep and satisfying thanks to the browned sausage, a good dash of black pepper, and the creamy texture achieved by slow simmering.

If you love hearty breakfasts or need a go-to brunch dish, this sausage gravy fits the bill. It’s perfect for lazy Sunday mornings, holiday brunches, or breakfast-for-dinner nights. It’s even great for meal prepping just store and reheat when you need a cozy meal.

What to Serve with Sausage Gravy

The classic pairing for sausage gravy is, of course, buttermilk biscuits. The soft, flaky biscuit provides the perfect base to soak up all that delicious creamy goodness.

However, this gravy is incredibly versatile. Here are a few serving ideas:

• Over Toast – Use thick slices of Texas toast or artisan bread.
• With Hash Browns – The crispy potatoes offer great contrast to the creamy gravy.
• With Eggs – Serve it alongside scrambled, poached, or fried eggs for a complete meal.
• On Breakfast Bowls – Layer breakfast sausage, hash browns, eggs, and this gravy in a bowl for a modern twist.
• As a Brunch Side Dish – Use it as a dipping sauce for breakfast sandwiches or even drizzled on top of grits.

Make It Your Own: Customization Ideas

This sausage gravy recipe is easily adaptable. You can personalize it in many ways depending on your dietary needs, spice preferences, or what you have on hand:

• Add Spices: A pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika can add depth.
• Use Spicy Sausage: For a bit of heat, go with hot breakfast sausage instead of mild.
• Make it Creamier: Substitute a splash of heavy cream for some of the milk for extra richness.
• Go Dairy-Free: Use unsweetened almond milk or oat milk and a plant-based butter alternative.
• Add Cheese: Stir in a handful of shredded cheddar cheese to make it into a cheesy sausage gravy.
• Include Veggies: Sauté onions, mushrooms, or bell peppers with the sausage for added texture and flavor.

Tips for Perfect Sausage Gravy

• Don’t Drain the Sausage Fat: This is where much of the flavor comes from. The fat also helps the flour blend evenly to create a roux.
• Cook the Flour Long Enough: Give the flour 1–2 minutes to cook with the sausage before adding milk. This step prevents a raw flour taste.
• Stir Constantly When Adding Milk: To avoid lumps, slowly stir in the milk while whisking constantly.
• Season Last: The sausage brings salt to the dish. Always taste before adding extra salt to avoid over-seasoning.

Healthier Alternatives (If You Must!)

While sausage gravy is traditionally indulgent, there are a few ways to lighten it up:

• Use lean turkey sausage instead of pork.
• Choose low-fat or skim milk instead of whole milk.
• Use a butter-flour roux instead of sausage grease for a leaner base.
• Try plant-based sausage for a vegetarian version.

Keep in mind, though, that sausage gravy is meant to be a treat. It’s okay to indulge occasionally in the real thing especially when it’s this good.

Storage and Reheating

This dish stores well, making it perfect for meal prep or enjoying leftovers the next day:

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
• Freezer: It can be frozen for up to 2 months, though the texture may slightly change upon reheating.
• Reheating: Warm gently over medium heat on the stove, adding a splash of milk to restore the creamy texture. You can also microwave it in short bursts, stirring between intervals.

The Comfort of Southern Tradition

One of the best things about sausage gravy is the feeling it brings to the table. It’s not just food it’s comfort, nostalgia, and home, all served up in a bowl of creamy deliciousness. It reminds many people of their grandmother’s kitchen, leisurely family breakfasts, and the smell of biscuits baking on a weekend morning.

It’s the kind of dish that’s passed down from one generation to the next, often without a written recipe just a well-seasoned skillet and a sense of knowing. When you make sausage gravy, you’re not just cooking. You’re keeping tradition alive.

Conclusion

Southern Sausage Gravy is one of those iconic recipes that will never go out of style. It’s quick to prepare, endlessly comforting, and always a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re recreating a Cracker Barrel breakfast or adding a touch of Southern soul to your weekend brunch, this sausage gravy is guaranteed to be a hit.

Don’t let the simplicity of the ingredients fool you this recipe delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Try it once, and it’s likely to become a staple in your household. So grab your skillet, brown that sausage, and prepare for a rich, peppery, gravy-soaked breakfast that tastes like home.