This old-fashioned Hamburger Gravy recipe is a true taste of classic American comfort food, reminiscent of simple, hearty meals enjoyed for generations. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish comes together in just about 20 minutes and is incredibly versatile. Serve it over creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, your favorite pasta, or even a slice of toasted bread for a satisfying and budget-friendly meal the whole family will love.
Craving more quick and delicious dinner ideas? Explore these other easy recipes: Breakfast Fried Rice, Patty Melt, Honey Mustard Chicken, or Pastalaya!
Hamburger Gravy served over mashed potatoes, with a side of green beans, showcasing a comforting and classic meal.
Grandma’s Hamburger Gravy: A Pioneer Kitchen Staple
There’s something truly special about sharing timeless recipes like this hamburger gravy with family. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a connection to generations past, a taste of home-cooked goodness that’s both comforting and practical. This recipe echoes the resourcefulness of pioneer kitchens, where simple ingredients were transformed into delicious and nourishing meals. Back then, just like today, families appreciated recipes that were inexpensive, easy to make, and universally loved – especially by kids! Our favorite way to enjoy this gravy is ladled generously over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, but my grandmother often served it over thick slices of crusty bread. What I love most is that this comforting meal is ready in under 30 minutes, making it a lifesaver for anyone juggling a busy schedule.
Simple Ingredients for Hearty Hamburger Gravy
Hamburger Gravy ingredients laid out, including ground beef, onion, flour, milk, butter, and spices, highlighting the simplicity of the recipe.
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this classic hamburger gravy:
- Ground Beef: The heart of the gravy. Lean ground beef works best, allowing the gravy to be flavorful without excess grease.
- Onion: Adds savory depth. Yellow or white onion, finely chopped, is ideal.
- Garlic: For a hint of aromatic flavor. Freshly minced garlic is preferred, but garlic powder is a convenient substitute.
- Butter: Essential for creating a rich roux, the base of our creamy gravy.
- All-Purpose Flour: The thickening agent that transforms milk into luscious gravy.
- Milk: The liquid base. Whole milk creates the richest gravy, but 2% milk will also work well.
- Beef Bouillon Paste or Cubes: Boosts the beefy flavor and adds savory umami.
- Sage & Thyme: Classic herbs that complement beef beautifully and add a touch of warmth.
- Salt & Pepper: To enhance all the flavors and season to perfection.
- Optional Red Pepper Flakes: For a subtle kick of heat, if desired.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Hamburger Gravy
Making hamburger gravy is surprisingly easy and quick! Follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef and Sauté Aromatics
In a large, deep skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat. Use a meat chopper or wooden spoon to break the beef into crumbles as it cooks. Continue cooking until the beef is browned. Drain off most of the excess grease, leaving a tablespoon or two for flavor. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté until softened, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic (or garlic powder) and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Process shots showing ground beef browning in a skillet and onions being added for hamburger gravy, illustrating the initial cooking steps.
Step 2: Create the Gravy
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the skillet and let it melt. Sprinkle the flour over the beef and onion mixture and stir to coat everything evenly. This creates a roux, which will thicken the gravy. Cook the roux for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, to cook out the raw flour taste. Gradually pour in the milk, stirring continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Add the beef bouillon paste (or crumbled cubes), sage, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 3: Thicken and Serve
Bring the gravy to a simmer, stirring frequently. Continue to simmer and stir until the gravy has thickened to your desired consistency, about 5-10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. If you like a little heat, stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes. Serve your homemade hamburger gravy hot over your favorite base, such as green beans or roasted vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.
Process shots showing spices being added to hamburger gravy and the final gravy simmering in a skillet, demonstrating the gravy thickening process.
Serving Suggestions for Hamburger Gravy
Hamburger gravy is incredibly versatile! Here are some delicious ways to serve it:
- Mashed Potatoes: The classic pairing! Creamy mashed potatoes and rich hamburger gravy are a match made in comfort food heaven.
- Rice: White rice, brown rice, or even quinoa all make a great base for soaking up the flavorful gravy.
- Pasta: Serve it over egg noodles, macaroni, or any short pasta shape.
- Bread or Biscuits: Toasted bread, biscuits, or even cornbread are perfect for sopping up every last drop of gravy.
- Breakfast Potatoes: Elevate your breakfast by spooning hamburger gravy over crispy breakfast potatoes.
Recipe Variations to Try
Want to customize your hamburger gravy? Here are a few tasty variations:
- Dairy-Free Hamburger Gravy: Omit the butter and substitute beef broth for the milk. You may need to add an extra tablespoon of flour to ensure it thickens properly.
- Hamburger Gravy with Vegetables: Stir in sautéed mushrooms, frozen peas, or corn during the last few minutes of cooking for added nutrients and flavor.
- Creamy Sour Cream Gravy: For an extra creamy and tangy gravy, stir in a scoop of sour cream at the very end of cooking.
Storage and Freezing Instructions
Storing Leftovers: Store leftover hamburger gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or broth if needed to thin it out.
Freezing for Later: To freeze hamburger gravy, cook the ground beef and spices as directed. Let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in a skillet with butter, flour, and half-and-half to re-thicken. Cook, stirring, until heated through and thickened. Adjust seasonings to taste.
Hamburger Gravy Recipe
A close-up of Hamburger Gravy served over mashed potatoes with green beans, presented as a recipe card image.
## Hamburger Gravy
This old fashioned Hamburger Gravy recipe is simple, inexpensive, and ready to please the pickiest eaters. It's on the table in 20 minutes, and delicious served over mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, or bread.
[Print Recipe](https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/wprm_print/hamburger-gravy) [Pin Recipe](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftastesbetterfromscratch.com%2Fhamburger-gravy%2F&media=https%3A%2F%2Ftastesbetterfromscratch.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F12%2FHamburger-Gravy-1.jpg&description=This+old+fashioned+Hamburger+Gravy+recipe+is+simple%2C+inexpensive%2C+and+ready+to+please+the+pickiest+eaters.+It%26%23039%3Bs+on+the+table+in+20+minutes%2C+and+delicious+served+over+mashed+potatoes%2C+rice%2C+pasta%2C+or+bread.&is_video=false) [Review Recipe](#comments)
**Author:** Lauren Allen
**Course:** Main Course
**Cuisine:** American
**Servings:** 4
**Calories:** 346
**Cost:** $8
**Prep Time:** 5 minutes
**Cook Time:** 15 minutes
**Total Time:** 20 minutes
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### Equipment
* Deep Skillet
* Meat Chopper or Wooden Spoon
### Ingredients
* 1 pound lean ground beef*
* 1/3 cup chopped onion
* 2 cloves garlic, minced, or ½ teaspoon garlic powder
* 1 tablespoon butter
* 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 2 teaspoons [beef bouillon paste](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KVPD3NJ/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=taste03e-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07KVPD3NJ&linkId=5ed0887ca6b9ee4208517a6522bca146), or 2 beef bouillon cubes
* 2 ½ cups milk
* 1/8 teaspoon ground sage
* 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste (optional)
#### Serving ideas:
* Mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, bread, biscuits, breakfast potatoes
### Instructions
1. **Cook meat:** Add ground beef to a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, crumbling into small pieces, until browned. Remove most (but not all) of the grease. Add onions to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
2. **Gravy:** Add butter and flour and stir to coat the meat. Cook roux for 1 minute. Gradually add milk and seasonings. Cook, stirring frequently, until gravy is thickened, 5-10 minutes. Taste and add additional seasonings, as needed.
3. **Serve:** Serve warm over mashed potatoes, biscuits, bread, noodles, rice, or breakfast potatoes.
### Recipe Notes
* **Ground Beef:** I like to use half ground beef, half ground pork sausage. Add chopped bacon for even more flavor. Could also use ground turkey or ground chicken.
* **Flour:** Add 1 ½ Tablespoons cornstarch instead of flour for gluten-free option.
* **Dairy-Free:** Omit butter and substitute beef broth instead of milk. Add 1 Tablespoon additional flour to thicken the sauce, if needed.
* **Veggies:** Add sautéed mushrooms, frozen peas, or corn to the gravy.
* **Sour Cream:** Add a scoop of sour cream at the end to make the gravy creamier.
* **Storage Instructions:** Keep leftover hamburger gravy in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Heat in the microwave or stovetop, adding a little milk or broth if you need to thin it.
* **Freezing Instructions:** Follow the recipe to cook the meat and add spices. Let it cool completely then transfer to a freezer safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then heat in a skillet with butter, flour, and half and half. Cook, stirring, until thickened. Adjust seasonings to taste.
### Nutrition
Calories: 346kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 100mg | Sodium: 396mg | Potassium: 629mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 336IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 210mg | Iron: 3mg
