Ingredients
- 1 pound breakfast sausage (regular, sage, or hot)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (or enough to make 4 tbsp fat in the pan)
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until browned and crumbled, about 8–10 minutes.
- Adjust fat content to about 4 tablespoons by adding or removing butter as needed.
- Sprinkle flour over sausage and stir to coat. Cook for 2–3 minutes.
- Slowly stir in 1/2 cup of milk to avoid lumps, then gradually whisk in remaining milk and cream.
- Add garlic powder, onion powder, sage, thyme, cayenne, nutmeg, black pepper, salt, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring often, until thickened.
- Adjust seasoning and consistency as needed with additional milk.
- Serve hot over biscuits, garnished with chopped chives if desired.
Notes
- Use hot sausage or extra cayenne for a spicier version.
- For a smoother gravy, remove sausage before making roux and add it back later.
- Smoked paprika can be added for extra depth.
- Turkey sausage and 2% milk make a lighter version.
- Plant-based sausage works for a vegetarian option.
- Gravy is best fresh but can be made a day ahead and gently reheated with added milk.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern
- Diet: Halal
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3/4 cup
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
