Old fashioned hamburger gravy is a classic recipe that’s tasty, versatile and so satisfying! Crumbled ground beef in a thick and creamy gravy made from milk and broth.
This is the perfect topping for turning any starch side dish into a mouth-watering entrée.
Ingredients and Variations
There are so many easy changes that can be to this recipe with equally delicious results!
- Meat: I use lean ground beef (of course) but you can sub any kind of ground meat. Turkey/chicken don’t have as much flavor so you might want to add some extra bouillon cubes. Sausage works to turn this into a sausage gravy recipe.
- Broth: Hamburger gravy can be made without milk by substituting broth for the same quantity; the gravy will be brown instead of white. Beef bouillon cubes dissolved in water can substitute for broth. Just be sure to adjust added salt accordingly. Low sodium broth is not as flavorful, I don’t recommend it.
- Diary: I use milk however a little bit of cream or even sour cream can be substituted to add even more richness and body to the sauce.
- Veggies: Make it with mushrooms, and you’ll have a delicious downscale version of beef stroganoff! Or add in some onions for a creamy deconstructed hamburger steak, especially when using broth!
Short on Time? Ground beef is super forgiving and can go straight from the freezer into the frying pan for making hamburger gravy in minutes. To do so, add a little water or beef broth to the pan and cover, turning the block of ground beef often and cutting into smaller pieces as it thaws.
How to Make Hamburger Gravy
Here’s all it takes to prepare this easy homemade dish.
- Brown ground beef, onion and garlic in a pan, and do not drain.
- Stir in remaining ingredients (per recipe below), and cook until the sauce thickens.
When thickened, serve hot over a favorite starch. That’s all there is to it! Mashed potatoes, pasta, rice or even toast all work.
What to Serve with Hamburger Gravy
This yummy, chunky sauce is a quick and easy way to make dinner into a stick-to-your-ribs meal. These are some starch sides perfect for pairing with hamburger gravy.
Savory Sides: garlic mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, baked rice
Biscuits & Bread: garlic cheese biscuits, toast points, or toasted english muffins
To round this recipe out don’t forget to add a side of your favorite vegetables like roasted asparagus, green beans, or classic mixed veggies!
Can You Freeze Hamburger Gravy?
Hamburger gravy is great as a leftover. Whether refrigerated or frozen make sure to store in an airtight container or zippered bag and write the date on the top!
- Refrigerated it will last up to four days.
- Frozen: Dairy doesn’t freeze well so I don’t reccomend freezing this with milk added.
Easy Hamburger Recipes
- Ground Beef Stroganoff – packed with flavor!
- Hamburger Casserole – quick & easy weeknight meal
- Easy Hamburger Soup – loaded with veggies!
- Quick Hot Dog Chili – a zesty beanless chili
- Easy Ground Beef Tacos – ready in 30 mins!
Hamburger Gravy
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ small onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 beef bouillon cube
Instructions
- Brown ground beef, onion and garlic until no pink remains. Do not drain.
- You should have some fat in the bottom of the skillet, if not, add 1 tablespoon butter or oil. Stir in Worcestershire.
- Stir in flour and allow to cook 2 minutes.
- Add remaining ingredients and stir. Cook over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Season with salt & pepper to taste.
- Serve over biscuits or mashed potatoes.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Beef, Main Course
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I share my meals with my picky staffie who doesnt care for mshd taters or egg noodles any more (I reduced onion n garlic for him) n made the creamier version with more milk than broth.I made pkg of gnochhi n threw it in the hamb.gravy..so delicous simple n easy.Will definitly be in our rotation,made fresh green beans on side,aperfect meal thanks
This is the BEST hamburger gravy recipe I’ve ever made! I am throwing away my old tried and true recipe, and keeping this one. Thanks so much, Holly!
This recipe is so cheap, quick and easy. The whole family loves this meal and I have some picky teenagers.
It takes me back to when I was in school. Hamburger gravy and mashed potatoes was the one thing our lunch lady did know how to cook! Thank you for sharing this.
This recipe is a great basic hamburger gravy. I tweak it a bit to make what my husband calls “poor man’s stroganoff”—I sub half the milk with sour cream and add a container of mushrooms with all the sauce ingredients and let it simmer down. It’s absolutely superb. I tend to be generous with the W sauce and bullion too (better than bullion). It’s a regular in our rotation.
Fantastic! I used coconut milk as I am lactose intolerant. Used vegetable broth because that’s what I had. No onions or garlic but was still awesome! This is going on my meal rotation especially in winter. It warms your tummy
My husband and I loved this recipe. It was a different way to use my ground beef. served it over boil potatoes and carrots and peas. I used skim milk and extra lean gr beef and was still very yummy. Thanks!
Been making this for years. I do not add chopped onions, instead, I add a packet of dried Lipton’s, beefy onion soup to it, yum!!!