Sausage gravy is a timeless comfort food classic, and the “Pioneer Woman” style brings a hearty, flavorful approach to this beloved dish. If you’re searching for a truly delicious and creamy sausage gravy recipe made from scratch, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will walk you through creating a gravy that’s perfect for biscuits and gravy, and so much more.
What Makes This a Pioneer Woman Style Gravy?
The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, is known for her approachable, flavorful, and family-friendly recipes. This sausage gravy recipe embodies those qualities. It’s about simple ingredients, honest flavors, and creating a dish that’s both satisfying and comforting. It’s a celebration of home-style cooking, focusing on rich taste and creamy texture, without any unnecessary fuss. Unlike shortcut versions that might use canned soups, this recipe emphasizes the authentic, from-scratch method, ensuring a depth of flavor that is simply unmatched.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Your Pioneer Woman Gravy
To create this delectable sausage gravy, gather these simple ingredients:
- 1 pound Mild breakfast sausage
- ½ tsp Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 cups Milk (whole milk or 2% recommended for creaminess)
- ⅓ cup All-purpose flour
- Homemade or store-bought biscuits, for serving
These basic ingredients combine to make a gravy that’s far greater than the sum of its parts. The sausage renders its flavorful fat, which then becomes the base for a rich and creamy roux.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Pioneer Woman Sausage Gravy
Let’s break down the process of making this gravy into easy-to-follow steps:
Step 1: Cook the Sausage
Begin by crumbling the pound of mild breakfast sausage into a large skillet. Use your hands or a spatula to break it up into smaller pieces.
Place the skillet over medium heat and cook the sausage until it is thoroughly browned and cooked through. This usually takes about 7-10 minutes. Ensure no pink remains in the sausage.
Step 2: Remove Sausage Temporarily
Once the sausage is cooked, remove it from the skillet using a slotted spoon and set it aside in a bowl. Crucially, do not drain the flavorful fat rendered from the sausage in the pan. This fat is essential for creating a rich and delicious gravy.
Step 3: Create the Roux
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Into the skillet with the sausage fat, add the ⅓ cup of all-purpose flour.
Using a whisk, immediately begin to stir the flour into the hot fat. Whisk constantly and vigorously to break up any lumps and cook the flour. This mixture of fat and flour is called a roux, and it’s the foundation for thickening your gravy. Cook the roux for about 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously, until it is lightly golden and fragrant. This cooking process is important to remove the raw flour taste.
Step 4: Add Seasoning and Milk
To the roux, add the ½ tsp of garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir to combine the seasonings evenly into the flour mixture.
Now, it’s time to create the creamy gravy. Slowly pour in the 3 cups of milk, whisking continuously as you pour. Whisk vigorously to ensure the milk is fully incorporated into the roux and that no lumps form. Continue whisking and cooking the mixture over medium-low heat.
Step 5: Thicken the Gravy
Continue to cook the milk and roux mixture, whisking occasionally, until the gravy begins to thicken. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. The gravy is ready when it coats the back of a spoon and has reached your desired consistency. If you prefer a thinner gravy, you can add a little more milk. For a thicker gravy, cook it a bit longer.
Step 6: Combine Sausage and Gravy
Once the gravy has thickened, return the cooked sausage to the skillet.
Stir the sausage into the gravy to combine it evenly.
Step 7: Simmer and Serve
Let the sausage and gravy simmer gently for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully. Keep stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Finally, your Pioneer Woman-inspired sausage gravy is ready to serve! Ladle generous portions of the warm, creamy gravy over your favorite homemade or store-bought biscuits.
Tips for Perfect Pioneer Woman Sausage Gravy
- Use Quality Sausage: The flavor of your gravy heavily relies on the sausage. Opt for a good quality mild breakfast sausage for the best taste. You can also use hot sausage if you prefer a spicier gravy.
- Don’t Drain the Fat: As mentioned, the sausage fat is flavor gold! It creates a richer, more flavorful gravy than using butter or other fats.
- Whisk Vigorously: Whisking is key to a smooth, lump-free gravy. Be diligent when incorporating the flour into the fat and the milk into the roux.
- Low and Slow: Cook the gravy over medium-low heat. Cooking it too quickly can cause the flour to cook unevenly or the milk to scorch.
- Adjust Consistency: If your gravy is too thick, whisk in a little more milk until you reach your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, continue to simmer it, stirring frequently, until it thickens further.
Serving Suggestions Beyond Biscuits
While biscuits and gravy are a classic pairing, this Pioneer Woman sausage gravy is versatile and delicious with other dishes too:
- Toast: Serve it over toasted bread for a quick and satisfying breakfast or brunch.
- American Fried Potatoes or Hash Browns: Drizzle sausage gravy over crispy fried potatoes or hash browns for a hearty meal.
- Mashed Potatoes: Elevate your mashed potatoes by topping them with creamy sausage gravy.
- Baked Potatoes: A baked potato loaded with sausage gravy is a comforting and filling dinner.
- Eggs: Spoon sausage gravy over scrambled or fried eggs for a protein-packed breakfast.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Sausage Gravy
- Storing: Let the sausage gravy cool completely. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Gently reheat the gravy in a saucepan over low heat. You may need to add a splash of milk to thin it out as it can thicken upon refrigeration. Stir frequently while reheating to ensure it heats evenly and doesn’t stick to the pan. Avoid boiling, as this can affect the texture.
Enjoy Your Homemade Pioneer Woman Gravy!
This Pioneer Woman sausage gravy recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s simple to make, incredibly flavorful, and perfect for a comforting breakfast, brunch, or dinner. Gather your ingredients, follow these steps, and get ready to enjoy a truly delicious homemade gravy that will impress your family and friends.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 1 Amount Per Serving: Calories: 140Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 10gCholesterol: 160mgSodium: 30mgCarbohydrates: 240gSugar: 20gProtein: 12g
