Biscuits & Gravy
Two buttermilk biscuits smothered in their creamy sausage gravy.
Nutrition Facts
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Biscuits and gravy likely originated in the Southern United States, sometime in the late 19th century or early 20th century. The exact origins are unclear, but it is widely believed to have been created as a cheap, filling, and easily accessible meal for working-class families, particularly in the Appalachian region. It utilized readily available ingredients like flour, lard, milk, and pork, which were staples in many Southern homes.
Biscuits and gravy is deeply ingrained in Southern American culture, particularly as a breakfast or brunch staple. It represents comfort food, resourcefulness, and Southern hospitality.
Sunday Breakfast
Biscuits and gravy are often a traditional Sunday breakfast meal in Southern households, representing a leisurely and comforting start to the day.
Comfort Food
The dish is considered a classic comfort food, often associated with warmth, family, and nostalgia.
Southern Hospitality
Serving biscuits and gravy to guests is a sign of Southern hospitality, offering a hearty and welcoming meal.
Biscuits and gravy offers a savory and rich flavor profile, contrasting the fluffy, slightly sweet biscuits with the creamy, peppery gravy.
The biscuits themselves are typically made with flour, baking powder, salt, shortening (often lard), and milk or buttermilk. They should be light, airy, and slightly crumbly. The gravy is traditionally a white cream gravy made with pan drippings from cooked pork sausage (or bacon), flour, milk, and seasoned heavily with black pepper. The sausage drippings impart a savory, meaty flavor, while the pepper adds a distinct spiciness that cuts through the richness of the gravy.
Cold Ingredients for Biscuits
Use very cold butter or shortening and cold milk/buttermilk when making the biscuits. This helps create flaky layers as the cold fat melts during baking, creating steam.
Don't Overmix Biscuit Dough
Overmixing the biscuit dough develops gluten, resulting in tough biscuits. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined.
Brown the Sausage Well
Browning the sausage well releases more flavor into the drippings, resulting in a richer and more flavorful gravy.
Simmer the Gravy
Simmer the gravy gently to allow it to thicken properly and prevent burning. Stir frequently.
Season Generously
Don't be afraid to season the gravy generously with black pepper. It's a key component of the flavor profile.
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