Fluffy Southern Biscuits Smothered in Creamy Sausage Gravy Recipe
If you have ever yearned for the ultimate comfort food that feels like a warm hug on a plate, then this Fluffy Southern Biscuits Smothered in Creamy Sausage Gravy Recipe is your new go-to. Tender, buttery biscuits baked to golden perfection paired with rich, savory sausage gravy create a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that bring Southern charm right to your kitchen. This dish effortlessly turns an ordinary morning into a special occasion, filling the air with irresistible aromas and your soul with pure contentment.
Ingredients You’ll Need
It’s amazing how just a handful of simple, down-to-earth ingredients come together to create such an iconic Southern breakfast. Each one plays a vital role—from the flakiness of the biscuits to the luscious thickness of the gravy—making this recipe both accessible and unforgettable.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation for flaky biscuits that rise superbly with just the right texture.
- 1 tablespoon baking powder: Ensures your biscuits puff up light and airy.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Adds a subtle lift and helps create tender crumb.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances flavor in both biscuits and gravy, balancing every bite.
- 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed: Cold butter folded into the dough creates those trademark buttery layers.
- 3/4 cup cold buttermilk (plus extra for brushing): Adds tang and moisture, keeping biscuits soft and flavorful.
- 1 pound breakfast sausage (pork or plant-based): The heart of the gravy, delivering richness and savory depth.
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour: Thickens the gravy perfectly without any lumps.
- 3 cups whole milk: Creates a creamy base for the gravy, making it delightfully luscious.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder: Adds a gentle warmth and complexity to the gravy’s seasoning.
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder: Enhances the savory profile with subtle sweetness.
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper (or to taste): Provides the perfect peppery kick, typical of classic sausage gravy.
- Salt to taste: Balances all flavors and brings the dish together cohesively.
How to Make Fluffy Southern Biscuits Smothered in Creamy Sausage Gravy Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Mix Your Biscuit Dough
Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper—this helps the biscuits cook evenly and prevents sticking. Next, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Incorporating the dry ingredients evenly is key to achieving uniform lift and structure in your biscuits.
Step 2: Cut in the Cold Butter
Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This step is crucial because tiny butter pockets create the flaky layers we love in Southern biscuits.
Step 3: Add Cold Buttermilk and Form Dough
Pour in the cold buttermilk and stir gently just until a shaggy dough forms. Avoid over-mixing here; the magic lies in handling the dough lightly to keep it tender and fluffy.
Step 4: Fold and Shape the Dough
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and pat it into a rectangle. Fold it into thirds, then repeat this folding process twice more. This method encourages those beautiful biscuit layers without kneading harshly, which would toughen the exterior.
Step 5: Cut and Bake Your Biscuits
Pat the dough down to about 1 inch thickness, and cut rounds using a biscuit cutter. Arrange them close together on your baking sheet, brush their tops with buttermilk for a golden crust, and bake 12–15 minutes until gorgeous and golden brown. The smell alone will make your kitchen feel like a Southern bakery!
Step 6: Make the Sausage Gravy
While the biscuits bake, heat a large skillet over medium heat and brown the breakfast sausage, breaking it apart so it cooks evenly and crisps up in all the right places. Once browned, sprinkle the 1/4 cup flour over it, stirring for 1–2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste—this step gives your gravy a smooth, rich consistency.
Step 7: Add Milk and Seasonings
Gradually whisk in the whole milk, stirring constantly so your gravy thickens without lumps. This will take about 5-7 minutes. Finish by seasoning the gravy with garlic powder, onion powder, fresh black pepper, and salt, letting it simmer two more minutes to meld all those savory flavors perfectly.
Step 8: Serve It Up
Split those warm, fluffy biscuits and generously smother them with your creamy sausage gravy. This final assembly is where your masterpiece comes alive—each bite will be impossibly soft, buttery, and bursting with comforting, hearty flavor.
How to Serve Fluffy Southern Biscuits Smothered in Creamy Sausage Gravy Recipe
Garnishes
For that next-level touch, consider sprinkling freshly chopped parsley or chives on top of the sausage gravy. It adds a fresh, vibrant pop of color and a subtle herbal brightness that beautifully balances the rich, creamy sauce.
Side Dishes
This classic dish pairs wonderfully with simple sides like crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, or sautéed greens for a hearty breakfast or brunch spread. Fresh fruit or a tangy coleslaw can also brighten the plate and round out the meal nicely.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, try making mini biscuit sliders with a dollop of gravy and a slice of cheddar or pepper jack cheese melting over the top. Another fun idea is to scoop your gravy over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes for an indulgent Southern twist on comfort food.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers of the Fluffy Southern Biscuits Smothered in Creamy Sausage Gravy Recipe, store the biscuits and sausage gravy separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This prevents the biscuits from getting soggy and keeps the gravy fresh for up to three days.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked biscuit dough shaped into rounds on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag after they’re solid. The sausage gravy also freezes well in an airtight container. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating—this way, you have a quick shortcut to Southern comfort food any morning you crave it.
Reheating
Reheat biscuits in a warm oven (about 350°F) for 10 minutes to restore their fluffy texture. Warm the sausage gravy gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often so it regains its creamy, luxurious consistency without burning or separating.
FAQs
Can I use plant-based sausage instead of pork sausage?
Absolutely! Plant-based sausage works wonderfully in this recipe and provides a similar rich, savory flavor that complements the biscuits perfectly. Just be sure to choose one that crisps up nicely to mimic traditional texture.
What if I don’t have buttermilk?
No problem! You can make a quick buttermilk substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a cup of milk and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes before using. This keeps the biscuits tender and adds that subtle tang.
How can I make my biscuits extra flaky?
The key is to keep your butter very cold and to handle the dough gently. Folding the dough as instructed creates layers that bake into flaky, tender biscuits. Avoid over-mixing to prevent a tough texture.
Can I prepare the gravy ahead of time?
Yes! The sausage gravy keeps well in the refrigerator for a couple of days. Reheat it slowly with a bit of extra milk to bring it back to silky smoothness if it thickens too much.
What’s the best way to cut biscuits?
Use a sharp biscuit cutter or a round cookie cutter pressed straight down without twisting. Twisting can seal the edges and prevent the biscuits from rising evenly, so a clean, straight cut is what you want.
Final Thoughts
Trust me when I say this Fluffy Southern Biscuits Smothered in Creamy Sausage Gravy Recipe is a timeless crowd-pleaser that everyone deserves to enjoy. Whether you’re serving it for a leisurely weekend brunch or a comforting start to a busy day, the combination of flaky biscuits with that luscious, peppery gravy is pure magic. So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and treat yourself and your loved ones to this delicious slice of Southern hospitality.
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Fluffy Southern Biscuits Smothered in Creamy Sausage Gravy Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Enjoy classic Southern comfort with these fluffy homemade biscuits smothered in rich, creamy sausage gravy. Perfect for a hearty breakfast or brunch, this recipe combines tender, buttery biscuits baked to golden perfection with a savory, thick sausage gravy made from scratch.
Ingredients
Biscuits
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 3/4 cup cold buttermilk (plus extra for brushing)
Sausage Gravy
- 1 pound breakfast sausage (pork or plant-based)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper (or to taste)
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents.
- Cut in butter: Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, cut the cold cubed butter into the dry mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs, which creates the biscuit’s flaky texture.
- Add buttermilk and form dough: Pour in the cold buttermilk and stir gently just until a shaggy dough forms, being careful not to overmix for tender biscuits.
- Fold dough for layers: On a lightly floured surface, pat the dough into a rectangle. Fold it in thirds and repeat this folding process two more times to build flaky layers.
- Shape biscuits: Pat dough to about 1-inch thickness. Use a biscuit cutter to cut out rounds and place them close together on the prepared baking sheet for soft sides.
- Brush and bake biscuits: Brush the tops of the biscuits with buttermilk to promote browning and bake for 12–15 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Cook the sausage: While biscuits bake, brown the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it apart continuously for even cooking and crumbling.
- Add flour to sausage: Sprinkle the flour over the cooked sausage and stir for 1–2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste, which will thicken the gravy.
- Add milk and thicken: Gradually whisk in the whole milk and stir constantly until the gravy thickens, about 5–7 minutes, to achieve a smooth consistency.
- Season the gravy: Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, freshly cracked black pepper, and salt to taste. Let the gravy simmer for an additional 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Serve: Split the warm biscuits and ladle generous spoonfuls of the creamy sausage gravy over the top. Serve immediately for a comforting meal.
Notes
- For flakier biscuits, ensure the butter and buttermilk are very cold before mixing.
- If buttermilk is not available, mix 3/4 cup milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar and let sit for 5 minutes.
- You can use plant-based sausage for a vegetarian version, but the gravy will not be halal or kosher certified.
- Leftover biscuits and gravy can be refrigerated separately and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Adjust seasoning in the gravy to taste, especially the black pepper for preferred spice level.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American