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Simple Hamburger Gravy Recipe

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a close up shot of Hamburger Gravy on a plate
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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Table of Contents
  1. Ground Beef Gravy Ingredients
  2. Easy Hamburger Gravy Substitutions And Additions
  3. How To Make Hamburger Gravy
  4. How To Serve This Recipe For Hamburger Gravy
  5. How To Store Easy Hamburger Gravy
  6. You Will Love This Simple Hamburger Gravy Recipe
  7. More Recipes You’ll Love
  8. JUMP TO RECIPE

There’s nothing quite like a delicious, hearty hamburger gravy to dress up all your favorite dishes. Rich, creamy, and beefy, this stovetop wonder is made from tender seasoned beef, flavorful broth, and milk to create the ultimate comfort food.

a close up shot of Hamburger Gravy on a plate

Ground Beef Gravy Ingredients

Hamburger Gravy raw ingredients that are labeled
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Full of rich, savory flavors and deliciously creamy textures, hamburger gravy is a treat that never fails to satisfy.

Its bold taste perfectly complements fluffy mashed potatoes or noodles. Each bite is packed with a burst of enticing flavors that will leave a lasting impression.

You’ll need:

  • 1 pound of lean ground beef (I used an 85/15% blend)
  • ¾ cup of yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 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)

PRO TIP:

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.

Easy Hamburger Gravy Substitutions And Additions

BEEF BOUILLON: If you want to substitute beef bouillon cubes for the Better than Bouillon sauteed onion flavor, then 1 cube would equal 2 teaspoons of the Better than Bouillon. I prefer the richer flavor that the Better than Bouillon adds to this easy recipe.

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.

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.

How To Make Hamburger Gravy

Our easy, step-by-step instructions below will walk you through making this hearty comfort food dish.

STEP ONE: 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. 

ground beef, onion, garlic powder, slat, and pepper combined in a bowl

STEP TWO: Transfer the beef mixture to a paper towel-lined plate. Drain off any excess grease from the skillet. 

STEP THREE: Turn the heat of the skillet down to medium heat and melt butter. Once melted, add the all-purpose flour and whisk until smooth.

STEP FOUR: Slowly pour the beef broth into the skillet while whisking to remove any lumps. 

beef broth poured into a skillet and whisked to remove lumps

STEP FIVE: 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.

STEP SIX: Add the milk to the thickened gravy and whisk until smooth. 

milk added to the thickened gravy

STEP SEVEN: 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.

ground beef mixture added to the gravy

STEP EIGHT: Once your hamburger gravy has thickened, you can remove it from the heat and garnish it with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

If the gravy becomes too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of beef broth at a time until you reach the desired consistency.

How To Serve This Recipe For Hamburger Gravy

This hamburger gravy 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.

Our country biscuits with sausage gravy and chicken fried steak are two more saucy recipes that feature creamy gravy.

How To Store Easy Hamburger Gravy

IN THE FRIDGE:  Store leftover hamburger gravy in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 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 due to the dairy in the recipe. The dairy tends to separate when frozen and then thawed again.

a overhead shot of hamburger Gravy with a wooden spoon

You Will Love This Simple Hamburger Gravy Recipe

This hamburger gravy is one of those recipes that’s so simple you’ll wonder why you never thought of it before. You’ll love the savory flavor of the beef combined with the creamy sauce to create delicious comfort food for the whole family.

Hamburger Gravy Recipe FAQs

Can I freeze leftover hamburger gravy?

We don’t recommend freezing the leftovers from this easy hamburger gravy recipe, as the dairy will separate once thawed and alter the texture.

Can I use a different type of ground meat for this great recipe?

Any ground meat that you have on hand would be a great addition to this gravy.

What can I serve with hamburger gravy?

This gravy is delicious over top of creamy mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or even homemade biscuits.

How to add flavor to beef gravy?

The first thing to try if you find your gravy is bland is to add a little bit more salt. If that doesn’t work, add a little bit of soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce for more flavor.

Is beef gravy OK if left out overnight?

Beef gravy should not be left out overnight as there is a risk of bacteria growth.

What is the best thickener for beef gravy?

Adding cornstarch is the best way to thicken the gravy. If you don’t have any on hand, flour can also be used in a pinch.

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a close up shot of Hamburger Gravy on a plate

Simple Hamburger Gravy Recipe

5 from 3 votes
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, I 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
  • 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, 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.
  • 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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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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  1. Jeannette Shields says

    5 stars
    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.

  2. Margaret Strock says

    5 stars
    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!!

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