Old Fashioned Hamburger Gravy
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If you’re craving a cozy, stick-to-your-ribs kind of meal, you’re going to want to try this Old-Fashioned Hamburger Gravy served over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes. It’s the kind of dish that brings back memories of weeknight dinners around the kitchen table—simple, hearty, and full of flavor. This recipe is especially perfect for the meat-and-potatoes lovers in your life, and it’s just as welcome on a chilly evening as it is for a quick, satisfying lunch.
The beauty of this gravy is in its simplicity. It’s made with pantry staples you likely already have on hand: flour, milk, and beef broth form the base of the gravy, while the real depth of flavor comes from ground beef drippings, sautéed onion and garlic, a splash of Worcestershire sauce, and a spoonful of beef bouillon. For extra richness and a deeper color, I like to add a dash of browning sauce—but if you don’t have it, no worries. The gravy is still delicious without it.
This recipe is quick to pull together and endlessly comforting. Spoon it generously over mashed potatoes, toast, biscuits, or even egg noodles or pasta for a meal that feels like a warm hug. Let’s make some gravy!
Ingredients for Old Fashioned Hamburger Gravy
- GROUND BEEF
- ONION
- GARLIC
- WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE
- ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR
- MILK
- BEEF BROTH
- BETTER THAN BOULLION OR BOULLION CUBE
- BROWNING SAUCE, IF DESIRED
Instructions for Old Fashioned Hamburger Gravy Recipe
Start by heating a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion, and cook until the beef is browned and fully cooked through, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once the meat is no longer pink and the onions are soft, stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Don’t drain the drippings—those flavorful bits are key to a rich, savory gravy!
Next, stir in the Worcestershire sauce, followed by the flour. Mix well to coat the beef and cook for about 2 minutes, allowing the flour to absorb the drippings and create the base for your roux.
Now it’s time to build the gravy. Pour in the milk and beef broth, then add the beef bouillon and a drizzle of browning sauce if using. Stir everything together and simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the gravy is thickened and bubbly—about 5 to 7 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
Serve the creamy hamburger gravy generously over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, and enjoy a comforting, old-school meal that serves 4 to 6 hungry folks. It’s also delicious over toast, biscuits, or egg noodles if you’re in the mood to mix things up!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to drain the beef after browning?
No—don’t drain the beef. The drippings add richness and help form the base of the gravy. If your beef is very fatty, you can spoon off a little, but leave enough to flavor the sauce.
What is browning sauce, and do I have to use it?
Browning sauce (like Kitchen Bouquet) adds color and a hint of roasted flavor, but it’s optional. The gravy will still be delicious without it.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Hamburger gravy reheats beautifully. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
What should I serve this with?
Mashed potatoes are classic, but it’s also delicious over toast, biscuits, rice, egg noodles, or even hash browns. It’s a versatile comfort food!
Can I thicken the gravy more?
If you prefer a thicker gravy, add an extra tablespoon of flour during the roux step, or simmer a few minutes longer until it reaches your desired consistency.
FOR MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS, TRY:
- Easy Hamburger Rice Casserole
- Slow Cooker Hamburger Steaks and Gravy
- Easy Instant Pot Beef Tips and Gravy
- Simple Beef and Noodles
Old Fashioned Hamburger Gravy
Real Mom Kitchen
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ cup diced onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 3 Tbsp flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tsp Better Than Boullion or 1 bouillon cube
- browning sauce if desired
Instructions
- In a skillet, brown ground beef with onion until beef is fully cooked. Add in the garlic and cook until fragrant. Do not drain. Stir in Worcestershire.
- Add in flour. Mix in and cook 2 minutes.
- Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Cook over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Season with salt & pepper to taste. Add in a drizzle of browning sauce if desired.
- Serve over hot mashed potatoes. Serves 4-6.
Nutrition
This recipe is adapted from Spend with Pennies.
