Biscuits and Gravy Southern Style

There's nothing quite like a classic Southern breakfast to start the day, and Biscuits and Gravy sits at the heart of this comforting tradition. This recipe guides you through creating flaky, buttery homemade biscuits, which serve as the perfect base for a rich, peppery sausage gravy. It's a hearty, satisfying meal that brings warmth and flavor to any morning.

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Making biscuits from scratch is a rewarding process. The key is to work with cold ingredients and a light touch, resulting in layers of buttery goodness. The gravy comes together in the same pan used for the sausage, capturing all the rendered flavor for a truly robust sauce.

Ingredients

• For the Biscuits
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 3/4 cup cold buttermilk
• For the Sausage Gravy
• 1 pound breakfast sausage (pork, mild or spicy, crumbled)
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (plus more to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.

Step 3

Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or fingertips until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 4

Pour in buttermilk and stir just until combined. Do not overmix.

Step 5

Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface; gently pat to 1-inch thickness. Fold dough over on itself 2–3 times, then pat again to 1-inch thickness.

Step 6

Use a 2.5-inch biscuit cutter to cut out biscuits, reshaping scraps as needed. Place biscuits close together on the baking sheet.

Step 7

Bake 12–15 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove and let cool slightly.

Step 8

Meanwhile, for the gravy: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook sausage, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through.

Step 9

Sprinkle flour over the sausage and cook, stirring, for 1–2 minutes until flour is absorbed.

Step 10

Gradually add milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 11

Add black pepper, salt, and cayenne. Cook until thickened, about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Step 12

Split warm biscuits and spoon hot sausage gravy generously over the top. Serve immediately.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

For the fluffiest biscuits, it is crucial to handle the dough as little as possible. Overworking develops the gluten, which can make the biscuits tough rather than tender and flaky.

Varianten und Anpassungen

Feel free to customize the flavor. Add a pinch of dried sage or thyme to the sausage as it cooks for a lovely herbal note. For a vegetarian version, simply substitute the pork sausage with a plant-based alternative and use your favorite plant-based milk for the gravy.

Serviervorschläge

While Biscuits and Gravy are a complete meal on their own, they pair beautifully with scrambled eggs and a side of fresh fruit to create a full, balanced breakfast spread.

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With this simple recipe, you can bring a taste of the American South to your own kitchen. Whether for a lazy weekend brunch or a special holiday breakfast, these homemade Biscuits and Gravy are sure to be a hit with family and friends.

Recipe FAQs

→ What makes biscuits flaky?

Cold butter cut into the flour creates pockets that steam during baking, resulting in flaky layers. Handle the dough minimally and keep everything cold for best results.

→ Can I make the gravy ahead of time?

Yes, prepare the gravy up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate. Reheat gently with a splash of milk to reach desired consistency before serving.

→ What type of sausage works best?

Breakfast sausage patties or bulk pork sausage in mild or spicy varieties both work beautifully. The seasoning in the sausage flavors the entire gravy.

→ Why is my gravy lumpy?

Whisk flour into the browned sausage thoroughly before adding milk. Pour milk gradually while whisking constantly to ensure smooth incorporation.

→ Can I freeze unbaked biscuits?

Cut raw biscuits and freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a bag. Bake from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to the baking time.