There’s something so comforting about the rich, creamy goodness of a classic sausage gravy — and this Gluten-Free Sausage Gravy Recipe gives you all that homey flavor without any gluten worries. It’s perfect for weekend breakfasts that feel just a little bit special.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This recipe hits all the right notes for me: simple, hearty, and totally satisfying. I love that it’s naturally gluten-free without sacrificing the creamy, savory flavor we all crave in sausage gravy. It’s my go-to for cozy brunch days.
- Classic comfort: All the mouthwatering flavor of traditional sausage gravy, but gluten-free.
- Easy to make: Just a few pantry staples and about 20 minutes, and you’re done.
- Versatile: Perfect on gluten-free biscuits, and you can customize the spice level easily.
- Family favorite: I keep coming back to this recipe because everyone loves it — even those not avoiding gluten!
Ingredients & Why They Work
The beauty of this Gluten-Free Sausage Gravy Recipe is how straightforward the ingredients are, yet each plays a key role in creating that irresistible rich, creamy texture and savory taste. Here’s what you’ll want to keep an eye on while shopping and prepping.
- Pork breakfast sausage: Choose a good-quality, flavorful sausage with plenty of seasoning to form the gravy’s savory base.
- Gluten-free measure-for-measure flour: This is what thickens the gravy without gluten; using a blend labeled for measure-for-measure makes this swap seamless.
- Whole milk: Its creaminess is essential for that classic gravy texture; I don’t recommend skim here because it won’t be as silky.
- Black pepper: Adds a bit of warmth and bite, which balances the richness of the sausage and milk.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors — I always taste as I go to get it just right.
- COLD butter: Stirred in at the end for a glossy finish and subtle richness.
- Fresh chives or parsley (optional): These brighten up the dish—and they look so pretty sprinkled on top!
Make It Your Way
One of the best things about this gluten-free sausage gravy is how adaptable it is. I like to tweak it slightly depending on the season or who I’m serving, and I encourage you to play around with it too!
- Spice it up: Sometimes, I toss in a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika for a subtle smoky heat. It’s amazing if you like a bit of a kick.
- Dairy-free twist: If you need dairy-free, swap the butter for a dairy-free alternative and use an unsweetened oat or almond milk. It won’t be quite as silky, but still super tasty.
- Herbal freshening: I love stirring in fresh thyme leaves or sage alongside chives for earthy complexity.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Gluten-Free Sausage Gravy Recipe
Step 1: Brown the sausage to perfection
Start by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat and adding the pork breakfast sausage. Use a spatula to break it apart as it cooks so you get nice little crumbles. Let it cook until it’s fully browned and there’s no pink left — this usually takes about 7-8 minutes. The key here: don’t drain the drippings! They’re packed with flavor and form the base of your gravy’s roux.
Step 2: Make the gluten-free roux
Lower the heat to medium and sprinkle the gluten-free flour over the browned sausage. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to toast the flour slightly until it turns a warm golden brown (think peanut butter color). This extra step amps up the flavor and prevents a floury taste. Stir non-stop here – it cooks quickly!
Step 3: Whisk in the milk and thicken
Slowly pour in your cold whole milk while whisking constantly to keep the mixture smooth. Continue whisking for 2-3 minutes as the milk thickens into a luscious gravy. If it gets too thick for your liking, just add a tablespoon more milk at a time to get the perfect consistency — I often do this to tailor it to everyone’s taste.
Step 4: Season and finish with butter
Generously season with black pepper and salt, keeping in mind the sausage probably already has some saltiness. I like to taste as I go to find the balance. Once seasoned, remove the pan from heat and stir in a tablespoon of cold butter. That finishing touch makes the gravy silky and rich — trust me, it’s a game changer.
Step 5: Serve and garnish
Spoon your warm sausage gravy over fluffy gluten-free biscuits, toast, or even roasted potatoes. Sprinkle with fresh chives or parsley if you want a pretty, fresh pop of color and flavor. Then dig in and savor the comforting goodness!
Top Tip
Making sausage gravy is all about controlling the texture and flavor balance. From my time experimenting in the kitchen, these tips really helped me nail it every time.
- Don’t skip toasting the flour: It keeps your gravy from tasting raw or floury, and adds a lovely nutty depth.
- Keep whisking constantly: This keeps lumps from forming and helps your gravy come out smooth and creamy.
- Adjust milk gradually: Thick gravy is tempting, but adding milk a little at a time ensures you get the perfect silky consistency.
- Don’t drain the drippings: The fat and bits left from browning the sausage are flavor gold and build your gravy base.
How to Serve Gluten-Free Sausage Gravy Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a sucker for fresh herbs on sausage gravy. I always reach for chopped chives or flat-leaf parsley—they add brightness and a pop of green that makes the dish look as good as it tastes. Sometimes I add a sprinkle of cracked black pepper right before serving, just for a little extra zing.
Side Dishes
Of course, the perfect partner is warm gluten-free biscuits fresh from the oven. But I’ve also served this over roasted breakfast potatoes or even spooned it on top of scrambled eggs for a hearty twist. Add a side of fresh fruit or a crisp green salad to balance the richness if you want a lighter meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For special brunch occasions, I like to serve the gravy in a cute little gravy boat so guests can pour to their liking. Another fun idea: make mini biscuit sliders with sausage gravy nestled inside for a party spread that wows. You can also layer sausage gravy over polenta cakes topped with a fried egg — totally delicious and unexpected!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover gluten-free sausage gravy keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. I like to store it without the garnish and add fresh herbs when reheating. Just give it a good stir before using to bring everything back together.
Freezing
I don’t usually freeze sausage gravy because the texture can get grainy or separate when thawed. It’s best fresh or stored short-term in the fridge for best flavor and creaminess.
Reheating
When reheating, add a splash of milk and warm it gently on the stovetop or microwave in short bursts, stirring often. This helps restore that creamy texture and prevents the gravy from drying out or getting lumpy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You want a flour that behaves like regular all-purpose flour in thickening, so gluten-free measure-for-measure blends are best because they include a mix of starches and flours designed to substitute cup for cup. Using just rice flour or almond flour alone might change the texture and thickness too much.
Yes! To make this gluten-free sausage gravy recipe dairy-free, you can swap the whole milk for unsweetened oat or almond milk and use dairy-free butter or coconut oil instead of regular butter. Keep in mind the texture won’t be quite as rich, but it will still be comforting and tasty.
The key is to whisk constantly while adding the milk slowly to the flour and sausage mixture. This steady stirring keeps the flour from clumping. Also, toasting the flour before adding liquid helps it absorb better and makes for a smoother gravy.
Absolutely! Turkey sausage works fine, but since it’s often leaner, your gravy might be a little less rich. You can compensate by adding a small pat of butter when finishing or mixing in a teaspoon of olive oil during cooking to add moisture and flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Gluten-Free Sausage Gravy Recipe is one I’ve kept coming back to because it feels like a warm, savory hug on a plate—a perfect start to a weekend morning or a comfort food fix anytime. I hope you find it just as delicious and easy as I do, and that it becomes a staple in your kitchen to share and savor. Give it a try soon—you won’t regret it!
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Gluten-Free Sausage Gravy Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A hearty and classic gluten-free sausage gravy made with savory pork sausage, a rich roux using gluten-free flour, and creamy whole milk, perfect served warm over gluten-free biscuits for a delicious breakfast.
Ingredients
Sausage Gravy
- 1 pound pork breakfast sausage
- ¼ cup gluten-free measure-for-measure flour
- 2 ½ cups whole milk
- ½-1 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt, to taste
- 1 Tablespoon cold butter
Optional Garnish
- Fresh chives or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Sausage: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the pork breakfast sausage, breaking it up into crumbles, until browned and fully cooked through. Do not drain the sausage drippings as they will be used for the roux.
- Add Gluten-Free Flour: Reduce heat to medium, sprinkle the cooked sausage evenly with gluten-free flour, and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to toast the flour until it turns golden brown, similar to the color of peanut butter.
- Whisk in Milk: Gradually whisk in whole milk, stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes, cooking until the mixture thickens into a creamy gravy. If the gravy is too thick, add more milk one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Season the Gravy: Generously season the gravy with black pepper and salt to taste. Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the cold butter until melted and incorporated.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the warm sausage gravy over gluten-free biscuits or your preferred base. Garnish with fresh chives or parsley if desired. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and reheat with a little extra milk. Note that freezing is not recommended.
Notes
- Use gluten-free measure-for-measure flour to ensure the gravy thickens properly while remaining gluten-free.
- Do not drain the sausage drippings as they provide essential flavor and fat for the gravy base.
- Toast the flour until golden brown to develop a rich, nutty flavor in the roux.
- If the gravy is too thick, add milk in small increments to adjust consistency without thinning too much.
- Fresh herbs like chives or parsley add a pop of color and fresh flavor when garnished.
- Store leftover gravy in the fridge and reheat gently with additional milk to maintain creamy texture.
- Sausage gravy does not freeze well because the milk base can separate upon thawing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ recipe
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
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