HAMBURGER GRAVY

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.

Hamburger Gravy

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?

Hamburger Gravy

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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Serve your hamburger gravy hot.
4. 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.
5. If you are noticing lumps in the gravy, use a whisk and whisk it quickly. This will remove any lumps.
6. If your gravy becomes too thick while you are cooking it, just add some milk and it will thin back out.
7. 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.

hamburger gravy with milk

Add the flour to the skillet and allow to cook for a minute or two.

Hamburger gravy with milk

Add the seasoning to the hamburger

hamburger gravy

Pour in the milk.

hamburger gravy with milk

Cook and stir until the gravy is thick as you prefer

Hamburger gravy with milk

YOU’LL WANT TO TRY THE OTHER GRAVIES AT LOAVES AND DISHES!

Check out..

• Sausage Gravy
• Tomato Gravy
• Sawmill Gravy
• Red Eye Gravy
• How to Make Gravy without Drippings

Try Out These Other Recipes Using Ground Beef Too!

Easy Homemade 15 minute Sloppy Joes

Hangry Hamburgers

Biggest Best Hamburgers

15 Minute Beef Rice and Corn Burritos

Easy Weeknight Stroganoff

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Hamburger Gravy

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, fried potatoes and onions or literally anything on your dinner plate is simply the most perfect comfort dinner ever.

5 from 4 votes

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Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Keyword: hamburger gravy, creamy gravy

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 300kcal

Author: Wendi Spraker

Ingredients

• 2 Tbs vegetable oil
• ½ lb ground beef
• ⅓ Cup All purpose flour
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• 3/4   tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp 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

Nutrition Facts

Hamburger Gravy

Amount Per Serving

Calories 300

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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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