sausage gravy

In Appalachian and Southern cooking, "sausage gravy" is white gravy made with crumbled sausage. It’s a hearty breakfast favorite, usually served over biscuits with eggs on the side.

#Appalachia   #Food   #Southern

Pronunciation

[SAW-sij GRAY-vee]

Meaning & Usage

- White gravy with crumbled sausage mixed in (noun)

At the table
Mae:
You want plain gravy or sausage gravy?

Earl:
Sausage, every time.

- A classic Appalachian & Southern breakfast dish (noun)

Talking breakfast
Mae:
What they servin’ at the diner?

Earl:
Biscuits and sausage gravy.

other spellings: biscuits and gravy, meat gravy, white gravy with sausage, country gravy, milk gravy with sausage, and breakfast gravy
★ Sausage gravy is the version most outsiders think of when they hear "biscuits and gravy." It’s richer and heartier than plain white gravy, thanks to the sausage. ★

Origin

Developed in the South and Appalachia where pork sausage was plentiful. Sausage fat and crumbles added to white gravy turned a simple sauce into a meal.

Notes

Still a staple of Appalachian and Southern kitchens, church breakfasts, and diners. Widely recognized across the U.S., though most tied to the South.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "saw-sidge gray-vy."

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Is sausage gravy the same as white gravy?
It starts as white gravy, but sausage (and its grease) gets cooked in.
Do people outside the South eat it?
Yes, it’s spread nationally, but it’s most iconic in Appalachian and Southern cooking.
Is it always served with biscuits?
Nearly always, though some folks pour it over potatoes or eggs.
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