If you’re craving a warm, comforting breakfast that feels homemade and satisfying without taking all morning, this Biscuits & Sausage Gravy recipe is your answer. The keyword Biscuits & Sausage Gravy perfectly describes this classic Southern-style dish: buttery biscuits piled high with creamy, peppery gravy loaded with savory sausage. It’s simple, cozy, and ideal for slow mornings, weekend brunches, or any time you want a hearty meal that brings comfort to the table.
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Why You’ll Love This Biscuits & Sausage Gravy
This recipe delivers everything people love about classic diner-style biscuits and gravy—but with easy steps, everyday ingredients, and results that taste like you spent hours in the kitchen. The gravy comes together in one skillet and uses pantry staples like flour, milk, and seasonings. It thickens into a rich, velvety sauce that coats the sausage beautifully. Paired with warm, flaky biscuits, it’s the kind of breakfast that makes everyone happy.
Here’s why this dish is a keeper:
- Quick and effortless: Ready in about 20 minutes.
- Uses simple ingredients: Nothing fancy—just reliable, affordable staples.
- Family-friendly flavor: Mild, comforting, and satisfying for all ages.
- Customizable: Works with turkey sausage or plant-based alternatives too.
- Perfect any time of day: Breakfast, brunch, or even “breakfast for dinner.”
When you need a cozy, feel-good meal, this recipe always delivers.
Ingredients for Biscuits & Sausage Gravy
Below is everything you need to make this dish from scratch.
For the Gravy
- 12–16 oz breakfast sausage (avoid maple-flavored varieties)
- ¼ heaping cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk (whole or 2%; add up to 4 cups for thinner gravy)
- 1 tablespoon dehydrated onion (optional)
- 1–2 teaspoons hot sauce, or to taste
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For Serving
- Freshly baked biscuits (homemade or store-bought)
- Extra pepper or parsley for garnish (optional)
Ingredient Notes & Healthy Substitutions
This dish can easily be adapted to fit your preferences:
Safer Alternatives to Pork Sausage
If you prefer not to use pork, replace it with:
- Turkey breakfast sausage
- Chicken sausage
- Mild plant-based sausage crumbles
- Seasoned mushrooms (for a vegetarian option)
If your protein substitute has little or no fat, add 1–2 tablespoons of butter or oil to help create the roux.
Milk Substitutions
You can swap whole milk with:
- 2% milk
- Unsweetened oat milk
- Unsweetened almond milk
(Plant-based milks may require a little extra seasoning.)
Onion Options
Don’t have dehydrated onion? Use:
- ½ small fresh onion, very finely diced
- Onion powder (½–1 teaspoon)
Seasoning Flexibility
Sausage gravy is traditionally peppery—don’t be shy with the black pepper. Hot sauce is optional but adds subtle balance and depth.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 — Cook and Crumble the Sausage
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook while breaking it into small crumbles with a spoon or spatula. Continue cooking until fully browned.
If you’re using turkey sausage or plant-based sausage, add a small amount of oil if needed to prevent sticking.
Step 2 — Add Seasoning and Optional Onion
Once the sausage is mostly cooked, stir in dehydrated onion (or fresh onion) and a few shakes of hot sauce. Cook for another minute to allow flavors to blend.
Step 3 — Create the Roux
Sprinkle the flour evenly over the sausage. Stir continuously to coat the sausage in flour. This step thickens the gravy later.
Cook the flour for about 1–2 minutes to remove raw taste but do not let it burn.
Step 4 — Build the Gravy
Reduce heat to medium. Slowly pour in the first cup of milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. As the gravy begins to thicken, keep stirring and add the remaining milk—up to 4 cups if you prefer a looser, pourable gravy.
Step 5 — Simmer Until Thick and Creamy
Let the gravy simmer gently until it reaches your desired thickness. Season with salt and plenty of black pepper. Taste and adjust as needed.
Step 6 — Serve Over Warm Biscuits
Split the biscuits in half, place on plates, and spoon the hot sausage gravy generously on top. Add more black pepper or parsley if you’d like.
Serve immediately for the best texture and warmth.
Pro Tips for Success
- Break sausage into small pieces for smooth gravy that coats evenly.
- Cook the flour briefly before adding milk to remove raw flavor.
- Add milk gradually to avoid lumps.
- Don’t under-season the gravy—pepper and salt make a big difference.
- Serve immediately because gravy thickens as it cools.
- Thin with a splash of milk if the gravy becomes too thick.
Flavor Variations
Try these simple variations to change up the flavor profile:
1. Herb-Infused Gravy
Add thyme, sage, or rosemary for a more aromatic gravy.
2. Spicy Morning Gravy
Use spicy sausage or add red pepper flakes.
3. Mushroom Gravy
Add sautéed mushrooms for extra depth (great with turkey or veggie sausage).
4. Cheesy Gravy
Stir in a handful of mild cheddar as it thickens.
5. Southern-Style Buttermilk Biscuits
Swap regular biscuits for flaky buttermilk biscuits for a classic Southern twist.
Serving Suggestions
This dish pairs beautifully with:
- Scrambled or fried eggs
- Fresh fruit or fruit salad
- Sautéed veggies
- Hash browns or roasted potatoes
- A light green salad (for a balanced brunch)
For a “big brunch,” serve with pancakes or French toast.
Storage and Freezing Instructions
Refrigeration
- Store gravy and biscuits separately.
- Gravy lasts 3–4 days in an airtight container.
Reheating
- Reheat on the stove over low heat.
- Add a splash of milk if it’s too thick.
Freezing
- The gravy freezes surprisingly well.
- Cool completely, store in freezer-safe containers, and freeze up to 2 months.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat gently with added milk.
Biscuits also freeze well and reheat quickly in the oven or air fryer.
Quick Biscuits & Sausage Gravy — Cozy Morning Favorite
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
Quick Biscuits & Sausage Gravy is a warm, cozy, classic Southern-style breakfast featuring buttery biscuits topped with creamy, peppery sausage gravy. It’s simple, comforting, and ready in about 20 minutes, making it perfect for relaxed mornings, brunch, or a hearty breakfast-for-dinner option.
Ingredients
- 12–16 oz breakfast sausage (avoid maple flavor)
- 1/4 heaping cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 tablespoon dehydrated onion (optional)
- 1–2 teaspoons hot sauce (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Freshly baked biscuits (homemade or store-bought)
- Extra pepper or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook while breaking into small crumbles until browned. Add a splash of oil if using turkey or plant-based sausage.
- Stir in dehydrated onion or fresh onion, along with hot sauce, and cook for 1 minute.
- Sprinkle flour evenly over sausage and stir to coat. Cook 1–2 minutes to remove raw flour taste.
- Reduce heat to medium. Slowly add the first cup of milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Gradually add remaining milk until desired consistency is reached.
- Simmer until thick and creamy. Season generously with black pepper and salt to taste.
- Split warm biscuits and spoon hot sausage gravy over top. Garnish with extra pepper or parsley if desired.
Notes
Break sausage into small pieces for a smooth, even gravy. Add milk gradually to prevent lumps. Serve immediately for the best texture as gravy thickens while cooling.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Approximate, based on 6 servings and using pork sausage:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 430 |
| Protein | 18g |
| Carbohydrates | 29g |
| Fat | 26g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sodium | 680mg |
(Using turkey sausage reduces calories and fat.)
FAQ About Biscuits & Sausage Gravy
Can I make the gravy ahead of time?
Yes! The gravy reheats beautifully. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When reheating, warm it in a skillet over low heat and add milk gradually until it returns to a smooth, creamy consistency.
How do I prevent the gravy from becoming too thick?
Gravy thickens naturally as it cools. To prevent this, serve promptly and add milk to thin it out as needed. If you’re reheating leftovers, always add a splash of milk to loosen the texture.
Can I make this with non-dairy milk?
Absolutely. Unsweetened oat milk or almond milk works well. The texture remains creamy, though you may need extra seasoning to balance the flavor. Avoid sweetened or flavored nondairy milks.
What type of biscuits work best?
Any biscuit style is great—homemade buttermilk biscuits, canned flaky biscuits, or even frozen biscuits. For maximum fluffiness and flavor, bake biscuits just before serving.
Can I use turkey sausage or vegan sausage?
Yes! Turkey sausage is a lighter alternative and works perfectly. For vegan sausage, add a bit of oil to help form the roux and taste as you go to adjust seasonings.
Final Thoughts
This Biscuits & Sausage Gravy recipe is everything a cozy breakfast should be—warm, hearty, flavorful, and remarkably easy to make. Whether you choose to serve it for a slow Saturday morning or a weekend brunch with family, it brings comfort to the table in the best way.
With its creamy gravy, perfectly seasoned sausage, and soft biscuits, this dish will quickly become a morning favorite. Make it once, and you’ll understand why this classic Southern breakfast continues to be loved across generations.