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Review RecipeSimple Hamburger Gravy Recipe
This creamy hamburger gravy is such a versatile dish that can be served on everything from mashed potatoes to homemade biscuits.
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If you’ve got ground beef and a craving for comfort food, this Hamburger Gravy is your ticket. Think rich, savory beef gravy loaded with tender bits of browned meat, poured over creamy mashed potatoes or buttered noodles. It’s the kind of meal that doesn’t try too hard — just humble, hearty, and deeply satisfying. Made with everyday pantry staples in under 20 minutes, it’s what we call weeknight dinner magic.
Ground Beef Gravy Ingredients
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 pound of lean ground beef
- ¾ cup of yellow onion
- ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- ¼ teaspoon of black pepper
- 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
- ¼ cup of all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups of low-sodium beef broth
- 2 teaspoons of Better than Bouillon sauteed onion flavor
- 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup of 2% milk
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish)
Easy Ingredient Substitutions
BEEF BOUILLON: If you want to substitute beef bouillon cubes for the Better than Bouillon sauteed onion flavor, then one cube would equal two teaspoons of the Better than Bouillon.
BEEF BROTH: If you are not using the low-sodium beef broth, I suggest omitting the added salt in this flavorful gravy recipe. You can taste your hamburger gravy at the end of cooking and add the salt if needed.
MILK: You can substitute whole milk or half & half for the 2% milk in this creamy gravy. Your gravy will get slightly thicker and richer the higher the fat content in the milk.
Unsweetened oat milk is the best plant-based option for hamburger gravy — it’s creamy, neutral in flavor, and holds up well to heat. Soy milk also works well, but avoid rice milk, which is too thin and sweet.
GROUND MEAT: If you don’t have ground beef on hand, this tasty recipe would also work fine with ground turkey, ground pork, or ground chicken.
Tips For Making The Best Homemade Beef Gravy
Using lean ground beef (85/15) gives you enough fat for flavor without making the gravy greasy. Be sure to drain the fat after browning to keep the texture rich but not oily.
Chop onions finely: Smaller pieces melt into the gravy better, creating a more cohesive sauce with every bite.
Don’t Rush Your Gravy
Don’t skip the roux step: Whisking the butter and flour until smooth before adding broth helps prevent lumps. Let the roux cook for a minute or two to eliminate any raw flour taste.
Add broth slowly: Pour in the beef broth a little at a time while whisking. This keeps the gravy smooth and lump-free.
Go low and slow with milk: Stir in the milk once the gravy has thickened a bit, and keep the heat low so it doesn’t curdle or separate.
Adjust consistency at the end: If the gravy gets too thick, just add a splash or two of extra broth or milk to loosen it up.
How to Serve
Serve it hot: This hamburger gravy thickens as it sits, so serve it right after cooking for the creamiest texture. If the gravy gets too thick, just add a splash or two of extra broth or milk to loosen it up.
It can be served over creamy mashed potatoes or egg noodles with fresh steamed vegetables or green beans. This is the perfect way to whip up a great meal on busy weeknights.
Don’t forget our dinner rolls to mop up any extra gravy; our homemade biscuits are another delicious way to enjoy this gravy.
Storing Gravy With Ground Beef In It
IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftover hamburger gravy in an airtight container in the fridge for up to for days.
REHEATING: As this hamburger gravy sits and cools, it will start to thicken. You can thin the gravy by adding a splash of milk and re-warming the gravy over medium-low heat.
IN THE FREEZER: This old-fashioned hamburger gravy does not freeze well because the milk can separate and turn grainy or watery when thawed.
You Will Love This Simple Hamburger Gravy Recipe
This isn’t just gravy — it’s full-on comfort in a skillet. Savory, rich, and ridiculously easy, this hamburger gravy the kind of recipe that earns a spot in your regular rotation without even trying.
It delivers that cozy, home-cooked feeling with minimal effort, and somehow tastes even better when the day’s been long and dinner needs to be easy.
Easy Hamburger Meat Recipes
Simple Hamburger Gravy Recipe
This creamy hamburger gravy is such a versatile dish that can be served on everything from mashed potatoes to homemade biscuits.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 6
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef, we used an 85/15% blend
- ¾ cup yellow onion, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups low-sodium beef broth
- 2 teaspoons Better than Bouillon sauteed onion flavor
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup 2% milk
Optional Garnish
- 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- In a large skillet on medium-high heat, add the lean ground beef, finely chopped yellow onions, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes or until the ground beef is browned and no pink remains.
- Transfer the beef mixture to a paper towel-lined plate. Drain off any excess fat from the skillet.
- Turn the heat of the skillet down to medium and melt the unsalted butter. Once melted, add the all-purpose flour and whisk until smooth.
- Slowly pour the beef broth into the skillet while whisking to remove any lumps.
- Add the Better than Bouillon and Worcestershire sauce to the gravy and whisk to dissolve the bouillon. Allow the gravy to bubble and thicken for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add the milk to the thickened gravy and whisk until smooth.
- Turn the heat of the skillet down to low, add the reserved ground beef mixture to the gravy and allow the gravy to bubble and thicken for an additional 5 minutes.
- Once your hamburger gravy has thickened, you can remove it from the heat and garnish it with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley.
Notes
- If you are not using the low-sodium beef broth, we suggest omitting the added salt. You can taste your hamburger gravy at the end of cooking and add the salt if needed.
- If the gravy becomes too thick, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of beef broth at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
Nutrition
Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 401mg | Potassium: 498mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 332IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 2mg
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Comments
Carla says
Very yummy, easy! I will definitely make again! Yay!
Jeannette Shields says
My mother used to make this for my siblings and I so often that we still make it from time to time in our own houses although she’s been passed away since 2013. She used to call it “favorite gravy”. She made up different names for certain foods;there were 8 of us kids so she attempted to get everyone to eat the same thing so she wouldn’t have to make 8 different foods.
Margaret Strock says
My Mother made this and we called it gravy train. I still make this for my husband and me, just without the onions. Love it!!