If you're wondering how to make creamed chipped beef, look no further! My Meme's recipe is the kind of nostalgic dish that brings you straight back to cozy Sunday mornings and big family breakfasts. It's creamy, salty, rich, and so simple... aka the ultimate comfort food!
Why You'll Love It
If you're wondering how to make creamed chipped beef, look no further!
If you grew up with a grandma, dad, or army cook who served up creamed chipped beef, you already know the magic of this salty, savory dish.
SOS gravy is a cross between a classic béchamel sauce and good ol' sausage gravy, but made with chopped dried beef.
The result is a silky creamy white gravy that's packed with chopped beef and perfect for pouring over a crispy piece of toast, a fluffy biscuit, or even some golden hash browns.
As with most retro recipes, they keep it real with pantry staples. We're talking flour, butter, and whole milk for a rich and satisfying cream sauce that comes together in minutes. But trust me ya'll. This is not the time for skim milk. Trust the process and use the full-fat stuff for that richer flavor and perfect consistency.
Oh, and if you love chipped beef, be sure to try my Easy Dried Beef Cheese Ball Recipe, too!
Creamed chip beef is also a great recipe to use up those last few thin slices of country ham, corned beef, or even a little can of cream of mushroom soup if you want to remix things. My grandma also used to switch it up and use ground beef (aka hamburger gravy) which is another alternative version of this easy beef recipe.
And if you want to stretch it into a hearty meal? Serve it with green beans, fluffy biscuits, or ladle it over toasted English muffins or thick slabs of Texas toast.
It's affordable, fast, and fills everyone up making it one of our go-to breakfast recipes that doubles as dinner on those busy weeknights.
Whether this is your first time making creamed chipped beef gravy or you're here for that ole stuff you grew up loving, this dish delivers. It's not fancy, but it sure is comforting and that's the whole point!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here's what you need to make this family favorite, with a few notes to help you customize it:
- Salted butter: Adds richness and flavor and is the base of creamed chipped beef. You can use unsalted butter, but you may need to add additional salt depending on the salt content of your beef.
- Flour: The thickening agent for the creamy white sauce. No need to swap here unless you're gluten-free-then you could try a 1:1 blend.
- Chipped beef: Look for glass jars of Armour in teh canned meats section. Or check the refrigerated aisle for a zip-top bag packet of Carson's chopped dried beef or Buddig beef, or anything labeled chipped beef at your grocery store. Avoid anything too thickly sliced-it should be tender little pieces of salty beef. But if it's too salty, rinse with cold water and pat dry with a paper towel. My grandma also used to switch it up and use ground beef (for hamburger gravy) which is another alternative version of this easy beef recipe.
- Milk: I recommend whole milk or half and half for the best texture and flavor in this bechamel sauce. A splash of milk at the end can help loosen the sauce if it gets too thick. I don't recommend switching to an alternative type of milk.
- Kosher salt and black pepper: Taste before salting-the salt content in chipped beef varies. Add lots of black pepper for that classic, peppery finish.
- Optional: A pinch of cayenne pepper, garlic powder, or a dash of Worcestershire sauce can add additional flavor if you want to fancy it up. You can even garnish with green onions if you're
- Toast: Use what you love. I recommed thick slices of white bread, Texas toast, or even sourdough. You could also swap in a biscuit or serve it over a mound of hash browns.
How to Make It
This creamy throwback comes together fast. Here's the step by step instructions to make one of my family.'s favorite meals that's perfect for any time of day.
- MELT BUTTER: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter until bubbly.
- FRY THE BEEF: Add the chopped beef to the melted butter and sauté for a few minutes, letting it crisp up and darken just a bit. This gives that deep, meaty flavor and cuts through any excess salt.
- MAKE THE ROUX: Stir in the flour and cook it down, creating a golden roux that thickens the milk mixture.
- ADD MILK & STIR: After a few minutes, slowly pour in the milk while whisking, forming a smooth creamy sauce. Reduce to medium-low heat and let it simmer until thickened.
- SEASON TO TASTE: Taste your creamed chipped beef then add kosher salt, black pepper, and any optional extras like cayenne or Worcestershire sauce.
- SERVE IT UP: Spoon the creamy gravy over your crispy toast, biscuits, or anything carb-y and cozy.
- SAVE: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat with a little splash of milk to loosen the sauce.
What to Serve it With
This beloved staple is pure retro joy. From its roots in World War II army kitchens to our modern breakfast tables, my Grandma's Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast is still going strong. Whether you're making it for the whole family or just yourself on a slow Sunday morning, it's the kind of comfort food that never goes out of style. Here are some things that I'd pair with it.
- Crispy hash browns or home fries
- A big bowl of green beans
- Soft scrambled eggs
- Toasted English muffins or buttermilk biscuits
- A side of fresh fruit if you're feeling virtuous
And if you like this creamed chipped beef recipe, here are some more easy retro recipes that you might love!
- Easy Dried Beef Cheese Ball Recipe
- Easy Sausage Gravy & Biscuits Recipe
- Chicken Gravy from Broth (No Drippings Required!)
- Christmas Morning Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
- Southern Tomato Gravy (My Grandma's Old-Fashioned Recipe)
- The Best Easy Steak House Creamed Spinach Recipe
Recipe
Meme's Easy Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast Recipe
Equipment
- Wooden Stir
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoon Salted Butter
- 4 tablespoon Flour
- 3 oz Chopped Chip Beef packed (or ½ cup)
- 2.5 cups Milk
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- Toast
Instructions
- Add butter to a large fry pan over medium heat.
- Once melted, add chipped beef and pan fry for a few minutes or until slightly dark and starting to crisp.
- Add flour and stir. Cook the roux down for a few minutes or until light brown.
- Slowly add milk, stirring often, until smooth.
- Drop the heat down to medium-low and simmer for a few minutes to thicken.
- Add salt and fresh cracked pepper before serving on toast.
