Bacon grease gravy takes that deep, smoky flavor of bacon and puts it into a delicious gravy that you can pour over warm biscuits.
My grandma was from the South and always made big breakfasts. She was one to keep leftover bacon grease in the fridge and would make bacon grease gravy for her homemade biscuits.
What is in bacon grease gravy?
Bacon Grease
My favorite way to get the bacon grease is to cut up a half pound of bacon into little bite-sized pieces. I fry the bacon pieces and use the remaining grease to make the gravy. I use the pieces of bacon later to add back into the gravy for more texture and flavor. If you don’t want to make bacon, you can use old bacon grease that you have saved or a product I just heard about called Bacon Up.
Flour
Flour is what is used to thicken the gravy. I use all-purpose flour.
Milk
Milk is your main ingredient in the gravy to get it thick and creamy. Whole, 1%, or 2% are best for this recipe.
Pepper
Pepper will help flavor the gravy and cut some of the saltiness from the bacon.
How to make gravy
Step One
Cook a half pound of bacon in a skillet until cooked through. You can chop the bacon into small pieces before or after cooking. I recommend cooking until crispy for texture in the gravy. Drain the grease, keeping 1/4 cup for your gravy. The rest you can save in the refrigerator for later use or put in a container to throw in the trash. If you do not plan to use refrigerated bacon grease or Bacon Up, skip to Step Two.
Step Two
In a large skillet (I use the one I cooked the bacon in), pour 1/4 cup of bacon grease into the skillet and heat over medium heat. You want the grease hot and completely melted/liquid.
Step Three
Add 1/4 cup flour to the bacon grease in the skillet and stir with a whisk to incorporate. Continue to whisk the mixture slowly over medium heat for 2 minutes to allow the flour to cook out.
Step Four
Slowly add in 1 cup of milk to the flour/grease mixture and continue to whisk over medium heat. When the mixture starts to thicken, add the second cup of milk and continue to stir.
Step Five
The mixture should continue to thicken. If adding bacon pieces to the gravy, now is the time to mix those in. Add pepper to taste.
Step Six
Serve immediately over warm biscuits.
What else can you serve with bacon gravy?
Mashed potatoes, poutine fries, chicken tenders, or anything else that is served with gravy.
What can I do with leftover bacon grease?
I have a coffee cup in our fridge that I keep leftover bacon grease in. I love scooping a little bit of the bacon grease into my green beans or using it to cook burgers. You can use it to cook anything that you would use butter or oil for like pancakes, eggs, etc.
What kind of biscuits should I use?
I make my favorite homemade biscuit recipe or I get the frozen Pillsbury biscuits. Refrigerated biscuits work great, too. If we don’t have biscuits, my husband eats gravy over toasted bread.
Bacon Grease Gravy
Bacon grease is the star of this smoky flavored gravy. Pour over warm biscuits for the perfect breakfast.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb bacon or 1/4 cup bacon grease
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 2 cups milk whole, 1%, or 2%
- 1 tbsp black pepper
Instructions
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If cooking bacon for the grease, cook 1/2 lb bacon (chopped into bite-sized pieces) until crispy. You can chop before or after cooking. If using leftover bacon grease or Bacon Up, skip to Step Two.
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Using the same skillet, heat 1/4 cup of the bacon grease over medium heat until liquified and hot.
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Add 1/4 cup flour to the hot grease and whisk over medium heat for 2 minutes. Whisk continuously so the flour does not burn.
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Add 1 cup of milk to the grease/flour mixture and continue to stir with the whisk. Once it starts to thicken, add the second cup of milk and stir.
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When the gravy is at a desired consistency, add in your crispy bacon pieces (optional) and add 1 tbsp black pepper (or to your taste).
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Serve over warm biscuits.
Recipe Notes
- If the gravy gets too thick, add a little more milk to thin it out.
- Remember: You can always add more milk but you can’t take it away. Add the milk slowly to make sure it is all incorporated and the gravy is thickened before adding more.
- If the gravy is thin, you can try turning the heat up while you continue to stir.
- Even thin gravy tastes delicious!!
