Southern Biscuits & Sausage Gravy is the kind of breakfast that wraps you in warmth and nostalgia. Fluffy, buttery biscuits—crisp on the outside and tender within—serve as the perfect canvas for a rich, peppery sausage gravy that’s creamy, savory, and deeply satisfying. It’s a dish that’s been passed down through generations, often served on lazy weekends, holiday mornings, or any time comfort is on the menu.
The biscuits are made from scratch with simple pantry staples: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cold butter, and buttermilk. The key is keeping the butter cold and handling the dough gently to create those signature flaky layers. The gravy, meanwhile, starts with crumbled breakfast sausage browned to perfection, then thickened with flour and enriched with whole milk until it reaches a velvety consistency. A generous grind of black pepper gives it that unmistakable Southern kick.
Whether served family-style or plated individually, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. And yes—once you’ve made it, you’ll understand why it’s a breakfast worth waking up for.
🧺 INGREDIENTS: (Serves 4–6)
For the Biscuits:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed
- ¾ to 1 cup cold buttermilk
For the Sausage Gravy:
- 1 lb breakfast sausage (pork or turkey)
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper (or more to taste)
👩🍳 INSTRUCTIONS:
Step 1: Make the Biscuits
Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Add cold butter and cut it into the flour using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Pour in buttermilk and stir gently until dough just comes together. Do not overmix.
Turn dough onto a floured surface and pat into a 1-inch thick rectangle. Fold in half and repeat 2–3 times for flaky layers.
Cut into rounds or squares and place on baking sheet.
Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden brown. Brush tops with melted butter if desired.
Step 2: Prepare the Sausage Gravy
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook sausage until browned and fully cooked, breaking it into crumbles.
Sprinkle flour over the sausage and stir to coat evenly. Cook for 1–2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste.
Gradually whisk in milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
Simmer until thickened, about 5–7 minutes. Season with salt and plenty of black pepper.
If gravy becomes too thick, add a splash of milk to loosen.
Step 3: Serve & Enjoy
Split warm biscuits and ladle sausage gravy generously over each. Garnish with extra pepper or chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot.
🍽️ Tips & Variations:
- Make-Ahead Biscuits: Freeze unbaked biscuits and bake straight from frozen.
- Spicy Twist: Use hot sausage or add a pinch of cayenne to the gravy.
- Lighter Option: Substitute turkey sausage and low-fat milk.
- Add Cheese: Stir shredded cheddar into the biscuit dough for extra richness.
