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 flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 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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My kids loved this,fast and tasty meal
Not sure if my family just eats more than most, but this only made about 4 servings. Tasted amazing though!
Glad they enjoyed it! We served it with a healthy portion of mashed potatoes and our favorite biscuits to soak up every last drop!
If you are talking about flavor, try these alternatives:
Actual beef stock or broth gradually cooked down
“Better Than Bullion” (very good)
Use aromatics like garlic, onion, herbs
Soy sauce and fish oil
There are others. Experiment/
I usually go with the sour cream alternative. Better flavor. Also I let the roux get fairly brown (cafe latte) to boost color and body..
Used milk made from good-quality powder because I ran out of milk and needed to use the powder up. Also used powdered bouillon and tossed in a packet of brown gravy mix to help thicken it. I also doubled the recipe. It came out great and made enough for several meals. I just suggest that you keep seasoning and tasting it until it is to your liking.
I’ve been really enjoying this meal. It’s very versatile. I usually make it with mashed potatoes and frozen mixed veggies. As the prices of meat have been rising I recently tried subbing cooked green lentils for the hamburger and really liked it. I might do a half and half mix next time because I do like the meat in it.
Can you make this without a boullion cube?
Hi April, we have only made this recipe as listed and the bouillon cube does add additional flavor to the recipe. It should taste fine without it, but we would love to hear how it turns out when omitted!
Hi,I am going to make this recipe for weekend.
I never had to cook until after My wife of 50 years passed away,but thanks to your recipes,I am learning.
I have made hamburger gravy before,but it never tasted the same as my wifes.
Your recipe showed me what I was doing wrong..Never added milk..
Looking forward to my new meal,made the right way..
So happy to hear this recipe has turned out great for you. Hope you are enjoying cooking!
Love your recipes. Learning to cook for just 2. Easy and good. Lots of good varieties. Thanks. D. Y.
So glad you enjoyed it, Donna!
This is one of my all time favorites. The smell of it takes me right back to 2nd and 3rd grade standing in the lunch line. I add chopped shredded carrots to the meat as it cooks. Also it is an absolute must to serve it with instant boxed mashed potatoes to give it that genuine authentic lunch line smell and taste. Good eats to all.
Your comment about the Hamburger Gravy made me laugh out loud! I’ve wondered how in the heck to make that weird little entree that I loved in elementary school as well! You might have forgotten that we’d get a quarter of a butter sandwich as well!
Too funny!
Have a great day!
H
Hamburger gravy always takes me back to the lunch line as well. Our ways always served with instant potatoes and roll. It was a favorite to hollow out the roll and stuff it with gravy and potatoes, too. I’m going to make this tonight for a kick of nostalgia.
I grew up eating this with canned peas added to mix. I still make it to this day.
Great recipe! Many years ago the high school cooks served this to us on a regular basis and it was always a favorite. So happy to now have the recipe! When I made this recently, I added some red wine to the hamburger mix and everyone really enjoyed it!! Thank you!
You’re welcome Pauline. I love the idea of adding red wine to it!
This was delicious. My husband of 30 years has never had hamburger gravy before and he loved it. Didn’t change a thing
Growing up, this was called Scott’s Pie. I have no idea where the name came from and we always had it over mashed potatoes. Soo good!!
When I click on the “print” button the recipe does not include all of the ingredients. Only 4 ingredients are listed. Odd.
My bad. The other 4 ingredients were way over to the other side of the screen. Sorry!
I’ve made this for about 45 years… It was a family favorite!
I called it Creamed Hamburger over Noodles.
I did not add broth.
I used extra wide egg noodles, buttered and added lots of fresh minced parsley and put the burger mixture over the noodles. Yummers!
This recipe is a family favorite for us as well!
Simple and delicious!
Can it be put in a crock pot when done
This could be kept on warm in slow cooker for a while. If it begins to thicken too much you might like to add a little bit of warm milk.
Looks amazing, my mom use to make hamburger gravy all the time and I wanted something like her tonight instead of my cheater recipe (1lb hamburger and 1 can mushroom soup) I was looking for a recipe this easy, fast and kid friendly for tonight, I’m so excited I can’t wait to make it
So happy to hear that Dee! Glad this recipe worked well for you!
This was delicious! I used beef bone broth, milk and flour mixed in measuring cup and over and poured over cooked ground beef. So easy and delicious!
Looks awesome!