There’s something about the rich, savory taste of classic sausage gravy that just feels like a warm hug on a chilly morning. This Gluten-Free Sausage Gravy Recipe nails that comforting flavor without any gluten, making it a joy for those of us looking to skip the wheat but keep all the creamy goodness.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I honestly didn’t think I could get sausage gravy right without gluten until I tested this recipe. It’s creamy, hearty, and perfectly peppery — plus, it comes together in under 20 minutes. It’s become my go-to weekend breakfast treat!
- Classic Flavor, Gluten-Free: Enjoy all the traditional sausage gravy taste without worrying about gluten.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in about 20 minutes — perfect for a relaxed weekend morning or a special brunch.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses ingredients you probably already have, with easy substitutions where needed.
- Versatile Serving: Pairs wonderfully with gluten-free biscuits or even mashed potatoes or rice if you’re feeling adventurous.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient here plays a key role in creating that perfect texture and flavor balance. Using a gluten-free measure-for-measure flour helps thicken the gravy just right without messing with the taste or consistency.
- Pork Breakfast Sausage: The backbone of flavor — choose a quality sausage with good seasoning and no fillers.
- Gluten-Free Flour: I recommend a measure-for-measure blend since it thickens just like regular flour without clumps or graininess.
- Whole Milk: Adds richness and creaminess that's key to traditional sausage gravy.
- Black Pepper: Brings that peppery kick that defines sausage gravy — feel free to be generous here.
- Salt: Enhances all the savory flavors; always add to taste.
- Cold Butter: Stirred in at the end for extra silkiness and depth.
- Fresh Chives or Parsley (Optional): A fresh herbal touch brightens up the dish and adds color.
Make It Your Way
I've found that this gluten-free sausage gravy is a great base for creativity. Sometimes I add a pinch of cayenne for heat or swap whole milk for cream for extra richness. You can easily tweak it to suit your morning mood or dietary needs.
- Spicy Kick Variation: I like adding a dash of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to step up the heat a little. It’s a small tweak that makes the gravy exciting.
- Dairy-Free Twist: Use almond or oat milk and a dairy-free butter substitute for a creamy yet allergy-friendly option.
- Herbaceous Upgrade: Stir in fresh thyme or sage if you're feeling fancy — it adds beautiful layers of flavor.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Gluten-Free Sausage Gravy Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Sausage Perfectly
Start by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork breakfast sausage and break it apart with a wooden spoon. The key here is to get it nicely browned — that caramelization adds tons of flavor. Make sure to cook it all the way through with no pink bits left. Resist the urge to drain the drippings because that flavorful fat is your gravy base!
Step 2: Toast the Gluten-Free Flour
Lower the heat to medium and sprinkle the gluten-free flour over the cooked sausage. Stir constantly, cooking the flour for about 1-2 minutes until it turns a lovely golden brown, almost peanut butter color. This step is crucial — it toasts the flour and gets rid of any raw flour taste, giving your gravy a deeper, nuttier flavor.
Step 3: Whisk in Milk and Thicken
Slowly pour in the whole milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Keep stirring for 2 to 3 minutes until the gravy thickens nicely. If it feels too thick for your liking, no worries — just add a little extra milk, a tablespoon at a time, until it’s perfect for you.
Step 4: Season and Finish
Season generously with black pepper and salt to taste. Then, remove the skillet from heat and stir in a tablespoon of cold butter. This last step gives your gravy a silky finish that makes every bite luscious. Garnish with fresh chives or parsley if you like a pop of color and freshness.
Step 5: Serve Warm and Enjoy!
Pour this heavenly gluten-free sausage gravy over freshly baked gluten-free biscuits or your favorite side. It’s everything you want in a comforting breakfast or brunch dish — rich, flavorful, and downright satisfying.
Top Tip
I’ve made this gluten-free sausage gravy dozens of times, and a few little tricks have saved me from lumps and blandness every time. These tips should help your gravy come out just right on the first try.
- Don’t Drain the Sausage Grease: That fat is flavor gold and forms the base of your roux, so keep it in the pan.
- Toast Your Gluten-Free Flour: Cooking the flour until it’s golden removes any raw taste and deepens the flavor — don’t skip this!
- Whisk, Whisk, Whisk: Continuous stirring when adding milk prevents lumps and ensures a smooth gravy.
- Add Milk Gradually: If the gravy is too thick, add milk slowly to reach your perfect consistency without it becoming runny.
How to Serve Gluten-Free Sausage Gravy Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping my sausage gravy with fresh chives or parsley — they add a lovely freshness and a dash of color that makes your breakfast look as good as it tastes. Sometimes, I also sprinkle a tiny bit of extra black pepper right before serving.
Side Dishes
Gluten-free biscuits are the classic choice here — I like to bake them fresh so the gravy soaks in beautifully. But this gravy also pairs well with crispy hash browns, scrambled eggs, or even buttery gluten-free toast for a complete breakfast spread.
Creative Ways to Present
For a brunch gathering, I’ve served this gravy over mini gluten-free biscuit sliders topped with a fried quail egg — such a crowd-pleaser! Another fun idea is to drizzle it over roasted sweet potatoes for a hearty twist that’s a bit unexpected.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover sausage gravy in an airtight container in the fridge. I usually keep it for up to 3 days, and it stays delicious. Just give it a good stir before reheating because it can thicken up while chilled.
Freezing
I don’t recommend freezing this particular sausage gravy — the texture can get a bit grainy. I’ve tried it, and it’s best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated for the best creamy consistency.
Reheating
To reheat, I gently warm it on the stove over low heat, stirring in a splash of milk to loosen up the gravy. You can also microwave it in short bursts, adding a little milk as needed to keep it smooth and creamy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While pork breakfast sausage is traditional and gives the best flavor, you can substitute with turkey sausage or chicken sausage if you prefer a lighter option. Just be sure to season it well because those can be milder in taste.
If you don’t have a measure-for-measure gluten-free flour blend, you can try using cornstarch or arrowroot powder as a thickener, but adjust the quantity since they’re more potent. About 1 to 2 tablespoons dissolved in a small amount of milk before adding will help thicken without clumping.
Yes! Swap the whole milk for a creamy dairy-free milk like unsweetened almond or oat milk, and replace the butter with a dairy-free margarine or coconut oil. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious.
Sausage gravy generally doesn’t freeze well because the milk can separate and the texture gets grainy. It’s best enjoyed fresh or stored in the fridge for a few days and reheated gently.
Final Thoughts
This gluten-free sausage gravy recipe really feels like a little act of kindness I do for myself on lazy mornings. It’s rich and comforting but also surprisingly easy to whip up, ensuring you never have to miss out on that classic southern breakfast indulgence. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it just as much as I do.
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Gluten-Free Sausage Gravy Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Gluten-Free Sausage Gravy is a hearty, flavorful breakfast classic made with pork breakfast sausage and a creamy gluten-free roux. Perfectly seasoned with black pepper and served warm over gluten-free biscuits, it's an easy-to-make comfort food that caters to gluten-sensitive diets without compromising on taste.
Ingredients
Sausage Gravy
- 1 pound pork breakfast sausage
- ¼ cup gluten-free measure-for-measure flour
- 2 ½ cups whole milk
- ½-1 teaspoon black pepper
- salt, to taste
- 1 Tablespoon cold butter
Optional Garnish
- fresh chives or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Sausage: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the pork breakfast sausage, breaking it up into crumbles with a spatula. Continue cooking until the sausage is browned and fully cooked through, ensuring no pink remains. Do not drain the sausage drippings, as they will be used for the roux.
- Make the Roux: Reduce the heat to medium. Sprinkle the gluten-free flour evenly over the cooked sausage and stir continuously for 1 to 2 minutes. Toast the flour until it turns a golden brown color similar to peanut butter. Stir constantly to prevent burning.
- Add Milk and Thicken: Gradually whisk in the whole milk and continue whisking constantly for 2 to 3 minutes. Cook until the mixture thickens to your desired gravy consistency. If the gravy becomes too thick, add more milk one tablespoon at a time, stirring to adjust the thickness.
- Season and Finish: Generously season the gravy with black pepper and salt to taste. Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the cold butter until melted and combined. This adds richness and a silky texture to the gravy.
- Serve and Store: Serve the sausage gravy warm over gluten-free biscuits or your favorite side. Garnish with fresh chives or parsley if desired. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave with a drizzle of milk to restore creaminess. Note that sausage gravy does not freeze well.
Notes
- Use gluten-free measure-for-measure flour for the best thickening results and to maintain gluten-free status.
- Do not drain the sausage drippings; they add great flavor to the gravy.
- Adjust milk quantity to achieve your preferred gravy consistency.
- Fresh herbs like chives or parsley make a nice colorful garnish but are optional.
- Reheat leftovers gently with extra milk to avoid curdling and maintain smooth texture.
- Serve over gluten-free biscuits for a classic Southern breakfast experience.
- Sausage gravy is best enjoyed fresh and does not freeze well.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ recipe
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
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