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Home » Recipes » Breakfast

Sawmill Gravy

Oct 13, 2022 · 12 Comments

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Half a biscuit smothered in sawmill gravy and black pepper on top, a cast iron skillet full of sawmill gravy with a wooden spoon in it on bottom, and the words "sawmill gravy" in the center

Serve this creamy white Sawmill Gravy over biscuits for a hearty, filling, comfort food breakfast. It's a simple and easy recipe featuring bacon or sausage drippings, flour, cornmeal, and milk.

Half a biscuit smothered in sawmill gravy with pork sausage and topped with black pepper with whole biscuits in the background

Sawmill Gravy

Sawmill gravy is extremely cheap and easy to make. It's a creamy, white gravy that is delicious served over biscuits or southern fried steak.

Serve it for breakfast or brunch, or if you're like my family for brinner (breakfast for dinner!)!

What is Sawmill Gravy

Sawmill Gravy is a southern variation of a traditional béchamel sauce. This country version is a white gravy that features bacon or sausage drippings and uses cornmeal and flour, as opposed to the only-flour in béchamel.

The name "sawmill gravy" comes from its early logging-camp-food and old-time sawmill roots. It was originally made with only cornmeal instead of flour, which resulted in a somewhat gritty gravy (Don't worry we've fixed that in this recipe!). It's said that the loggers would even accuse the cooks of putting sawdust in their gravy!

What's the Difference Between Sawmill and Sausage Gravy

The main difference is that sawmill gravy is made with sausage or bacon drippings only, none of the actual sausage. It also has some cornmeal in it.

Sausage gravy is made with sausage and the drippings, and only has flour, no cornmeal.

Cast iron skillet full of sawmill gravy topped with crumbled pork sausage and fresh thyme with a wooden spoon in it

How to Serve Sawmill Gravy

Classically, sawmill gravy is served over biscuits, like these sky-high, fluffy southern buttermilk biscuits.

It's also famously served over chicken fried steak.

Since it's basically just a white gravy, it can also be served over meat such as chicken, pork chops, or roasts, or even on mashed potatoes or stuffing.

More Breakfast Recipes You'll Love

  • Biscuits and Gravy Casserole - if you love breakfast gravy, this is the breakfast casserole for you.
  • Crockpot Breakfast Casserole - a delicious hearty breakfast casserole made right in the slow cooker.
  • Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake - strawberries, cream, and French toast bites make a perfectly sweet way to start the day.
  • Funfetti Pancake Poppers - cute little pancake bites with rainbow sprinkles for a fun breakfast.
  • Perfect Blueberry Muffins - the BEST EVER blueberry muffins. My recipe comes straight from my grandma.

Sawmill Gravy Video

Half a biscuit smothered in sawmill gravy with pork sausage and topped with black pepper

Sawmill Gravy

Serve this creamy white Sawmill Gravy over biscuits for a hearty, filling, comfort food breakfast. It's a simple and easy recipe featuring bacon or sausage drippings, flour, cornmeal, and milk.
5 from 10 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Sawmill Gravy
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 155kcal
Author: Michelle

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons bacon or sausage drippings
  • 2 tablespoons cornmeal
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • Salt, black pepper, and white pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a large skillet, heat bacon or sausage drippings over medium heat.
  • Add cornmeal and flour and stir to combine. Allow to heat through for about 2 minutes.
  • Add milk slowly to prevent lumps, whisking the entire time.
  • Continue cooking and stirring until gravy comes to a light simmer and thickens.
  • Add white pepper, salt, and black pepper to taste.
  • Serve over warm biscuits.

Video

Notes

  • For a little extra flavor, add cooked and crumbled sausage, bacon, or ham.
  • Serve with my favorite warm, fluffy Southern buttermilk biscuits.
  • What's the secret to perfectly smooth gravy? Add milk very slowly while whisking. I only add about ¼ cup at a time and whisk until it's completely combined before adding.
  • Gravy continues to thicken as it cools, so stop simmering when it's just a tiny bit on the runny side.
  • Add a little more milk if gravy is too thick (add ¼ cup at a time until it reaches desired consistency.
  • I like to cook gravy in a cast iron skillet, like this one.
  • Storage: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Freezer Directions: Freeze in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator. Reheat in a medium saucepan.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 155kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 66mg | Potassium: 181mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 120IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 142mg | Iron: 1mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dannii says

    October 20, 2022 at 8:21 am

    I have never heard of this gravy before, but it sounds incredible with the bacon.

    Reply
  2. Stephanie says

    October 20, 2022 at 9:05 am

    I grew up in Florida, and I remember loving gravy and biscuits! I haven't had them since I was a kid. I can't wait to try them again!

    Reply
  3. Kim says

    October 20, 2022 at 9:07 am

    Biscuits and gravy is the perfect hearty meal on a chilly day. I've never heard of adding cornmeal to the gravy though. It sounds like it makes it even better!

    Reply
  4. Dana Sandonato says

    October 20, 2022 at 9:23 am

    Love knowing the history behind the name of a recipe! This gravy is super tasty. Total stick-to-your-ribs goodness. We will definitely use this recipe next time we have sausage and biscuits!

    Reply
  5. Leo Hoxworth says

    October 26, 2022 at 7:57 pm

    See how much cornmeal you added maybe I was reading too fast I'm trying recipe I'll I'm looking to see if I can find out how much cornmeal to put in it but if it improve it anymore I could eat it three times a day thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      October 26, 2022 at 8:16 pm

      2 tablespoons cornmeal

      Reply
  6. Gina Abernathy says

    October 30, 2022 at 8:41 am

    Bacon drippings are like gold to us southern folks. Love this gravy and it was delicious on a hot biscuit.

    Reply
  7. Anjali says

    December 15, 2022 at 2:04 pm

    This gravy looks so rich, thick and delicious! Can't wait to try it soon! It would be perfect for our holiday menu!

    Reply
  8. Mahy says

    December 15, 2022 at 2:42 pm

    I've never made this gravy before. So excited to give it a try now!

    Reply
  9. Ned says

    December 15, 2022 at 2:52 pm

    This is the best comfort food around! I love this recipe so much! Thank you for sharing it.

    Reply
  10. Dannii says

    December 15, 2022 at 3:01 pm

    The flavours in this look incredible. I can't wait to try it.

    Reply
  11. Alison Saalbach Corey says

    December 15, 2022 at 3:39 pm

    This recipe is super quick and easy and the whole family loved it! Wonderful and delicious!!

    Reply

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Hello! I'm Michelle!
I'm a comfort food lover and self-taught cook with five amazing kids and a firefighter husband, surviving mostly on coffee. I love to create easy and delicious family recipes, and share creative family tips I've learned along the way.
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