Trust me, you are going to be so happy about this. A little (ok, a lot, let’s face it, we aren’t capable of just doing a little) of this creamy meaty hamburger gravy splashed over some toast, biscuit, southern fried potatoes and onions or literally anything on your dinner plate is simply the most perfect comfort dinner ever.
Life in the middle of the cold and dark winter doesn’t get much better than this hamburger gravy. It’s everything warm and comfy and a lifetime favorite.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS
- This creamy hamburger gravy is the perfect way to top off a delicious home cooked meal
- Hamburger gravy uses ingredients you already have at home.
- You can mix up a batch of hamburger gravy in about 20 minutes.
- Enjoy Hamburger? Try this easy weeknight meal! Ready in just minutes: Perfect Hamburger Helper Recipe from Box (Cheesy)!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHERE DID HAMBURGER GRAVY COME FROM?
Many of us remember this warm creamy creation from school served over rice. It’s one of my personal favorites that my dad used to whip up for dinner.
Even wikipedia didn’t have any informations about the origin of hamburger gravy, but my guess is that it’s been around for a while and that families have been making gravy with what they have available for a very long time.
WHAT SIDE DISHES CAN I SERVE HAMBURGER GRAVY WITH?
- This is excellent with Chicken Fried Steak, Salisbury Steak or Hangry Hamburgers.
- You can serve hamburger gravy over classic mashed potatoes, rice, breakfast potatoes (hello!).
- Serve over any starch is perfect and then serve a green or yellow veggie as a side and you’ve got a perfect meal!
- How about some crockpot green beans and bacon or yellow squash?
WHAT OTHER WAYS DO PEOPLE MAKE HAMBURGER GRAVY?
Such a classic made with….
- With onions
- Rice
- Make this with mushrooms! YUM!
- Without flour
- With cream of mushroom soup
- With canned gravy
- Without milk
- Using onion soup
- With peas
- Mixing in sour cream
- Substituting beef broth
- Using corn starch to thicken
HOW LONG IS HAMBURGER GRAVY GOOD FOR?
Use up yours within two hours and then refrigerate it for up to 5 days.
HOW LONG DOES HAMBURGER GRAVY KEEP?
It will keep in the refrigerator if you cover it well for 5 days. After that, you should toss it.
CAN I FREEZE THIS?
This does not freeze well because the gravy separates after freezing. It’s best to make some fresh.
WHAT’S THE BEST GROUND BEEF TO USE FOR HAMBURGER GRAVY?
We prefer 80/20 ground beef for ours, but really any is fine. You’ll just want to pour off any accumulated grease after browning the ground beef.
HOW TO MAKE IT FOR THE CROCKPOT.
Follow the directions below and you can then pour the gravy into a crockpot to keep it warm until you are ready to use it. Set the crockpot on low.
HOW TO MAKE THIS IN THE OVEN
Follow the directions below and you can then set the entire skillet in the oven or pour into an oven safe dish. Set the oven on the lowest setting to keep warm until you are ready to eat.
HOW TO MAKE HAMBURGER GRAVY WITH WATER
If you need to avoid milk for some reason, the best way to make hamburger gravy is with water. It will not look like the gravy in these photos, but will taste very good!
First, drop a beef, chicken or vegetable bouillon cube into hot water and allow it to dissolve completely. When the water has cooled, use the bouillon water in place of the milk in the recipe below.
This can be made with water instead of milk!
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR HAMBURGER GRAVY.
- The amount of hamburger you use is entirely up to you. If you like more meat in your gravy, use more. If you prefer less, then use less.
- The longer you cook your hamburger gravy, the thicker it will become. Stop cooking it when it is just short of how thick you prefer gravy. It will thicken slightly more as it cools.
- Serve your hamburger gravy hot.
- If you need to reheat your hamburger gravy, you will notice that it is considerably thicker once it has been refrigerated. Simply add some milk to what you have and stir it well as you heat it.
- If you are noticing lumps in the gravy, use a whisk and whisk it quickly. This will remove any lumps.
- If your gravy becomes too thick while you are cooking it, just add some milk and it will thin back out.
- Try some seasonings that you prefer with your hamburger gravy. We particularly enjoy onion powder and garlic powder. A tiny bit of cayenne is a nice touch. Thyme and oregano give a special flavor as well.
LET'S SEE HOW THIS WORKS.
Brown the ground beef in a skillet.
Add the flour to the skillet and allow to cook for a minute or two.
Add the seasoning to the hamburger
Pour in the milk.
Cook and stir until the gravy is thick as you prefer
YOU’LL WANT TO TRY THE OTHER GRAVIES AT LOAVES AND DISHES!
Check out..
Try Out These Other Recipes Using Ground Beef Too!
Easy Homemade 15 minute Sloppy Joes
15 Minute Beef Rice and Corn Burritos
Easy Weeknight Stroganoff
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Hamburger Gravy
Ingredients
- 2 Tbs vegetable oil
- ½ lb ground beef
- ⅓ Cup All purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 4 Cups of whole milk
Instructions
- In a skillet, over medium heat, heat the oil until glistening.
- Tear the ground beef into small pieces and sprinkle into the warming skillet. Using a wooden spoon, break up the ground beef into smaller pieces as it cooks.
- When the ground beef is just past pink and turning brown, pour off any accumulated grease.
- Sprinkle the flour over the ground beef and allow to cook for 1-2 minutes. (this removes the flour taste from the dish).
- Add the salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and cayenne and mix well.
- Pour the milk into the skillet all at once. Use your wooden spoon to scrape up any bits that have started to stick to the bottom of the skillet.
- Stir continuously until the milk thickens into a thick gravy that clings to the back of the wooden spoon.
Notes
- The amount of hamburger you use is entirely up to you. If you like more meat in your gravy, use more. If you prefer less, then use less.
- The longer you cook your hamburger gravy, the thicker it will become.
- Stop cooking it when it is just short of how thick you prefer gravy.
- It will thicken slightly more as it cools.
- Serve your hamburger gravy hot.
- If you need to reheat your hamburger gravy, you will notice that it is considerably thicker once it has been refrigerated.
- Simply add some milk to what you have and stir it well as you heat it. If you are noticing lumps in the gravy, use a whisk and whisk it quickly. This will remove any lumps.
- If your gravy becomes too thick while you are cooking it, just add some milk and it will thin back out.
- Try some seasonings that you prefer with your hamburger gravy. We particularly enjoy onion powder and garlic powder. A tiny bit of cayenne is a nice touch. Thyme and oregano give a special flavor as well.
- SUBSTITUTIONS: You can substitute 2% milk for whole milk, but your gravy won’t be as creamy. If you prefer to leave off the onion, garlic or cayenne, feel free to do so. Try adding other herbs and spices that you prefer.
Nutrition
A VERSE TO SHARE
Today as I was reading Ephesians I realize there are some things I need to work on in my own life. It’s way too much to go into here. But, I encourage all of you to dig into your own bible and read Ephesians.
Ephesians 4: 1-3
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace
Rob says
Thank you so much for your recipe. Over the last two weeks I've been thinking about my childhood and remember that my family would have SOS at least once a week for Dinner. My father was a SFC US Army with 5 kids. This was a way to make a little go a long way. Also, when I joined the Army it was served in the Mess Hall. I tried your recipe and truly enjoyed. My wife not so much, her mother used dried beef or some say chipped beef. Thank you again, it brought back fond memories.
James Wilson says
This gravy so good may God bless you!Ty so much.
Wendi Spraker says
I'm so glad that you loved it!
Eileen Hightower says
I tried to access this site last evening for some help in a recipe. But this morning I received your email and I love the new look of your site, and have the recipe as well. Love, love the videos.
God bless,
Eileen
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Eileen! Thanks for leaving me a comment! Did you get the help you needed? If not drop me an email and I’ll help you!
Eileen Hightower says
Thank you very much Wendi for asking. Oh yes, I always find inspiration on your site, not only for Biblical inspiration, but for inspiration in preparing meals. Trying the hamburger recipe tonight.
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Eileen! I’m so glad you left a comment! I appreciate it so much. I hope you love the recipe!
Wendi Spraker says
testing for aggregate rating
Eileen Hightower says
Thank you very much for this Hamburger Gravy recipe. I have always wondered how to make this and this is perfect. I have some burger left and this is the perfect recipe for it. I'll probably serve this over some biscuits and have a salad on the side. This is the best of both worlds, cooking nutritious meals and God's Word,
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Eileen! Thank you so much for your kind words. :). You’ll feel so down home with your gravy and biscuits. I made some last week and accidentally dumped more garlic powder into than I intended and it was even better! So get wild with your spices and it might turn out better than you planned. Lol. Enjoy!