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    Home » Beef

    Easy Hamburger Gravy

    Published: Jul 19, 2021 / Updated: Aug 23, 2022 / 2 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe

    Hamburger gravy is an old fashioned recipe that's incredibly simple to make using everyday ingredients, is inexpensive, and comes together fast! It's a hearty homestyle meal for your entire family.

    For another classic, try my Homemade Shepherd's Pie or Easy Beef and Noodles next.

    creamed hamburger gravy in a shallow bowl with mashed potatoes and broccolini

    Why you'll love it

    I'm the first to admit that creamed hamburger may not be the prettiest dish, but what it lacks in looks, it makes up for in total yumminess. It's kind of like a pared down, no-fuss version of Ground Beef Stroganoff. There's a good chance it'll get your nostalgia going if you grew up eating it as a kid, and that's always a good thing in my books.

    If you're wondering what to make with ground beef on a busy weeknight for your family, this is a great recipe. It can be on your table in about half an hour, and it's an economical choice that's easy on your wallet!

    What goes into it

    • Ground beef - I recommend using 90% lean ground beef. It's still fatty enough you get some flavor, but not so fatty you need to drain the grease.
    • Onion - my favorite variety is sweet Vidalia onion, but yellow works too
    • Onion powder and garlic powder - savory aromatics for a tasty foundation
    • Italian seasoning - it's a convenient blend of fragrant dried herbs that's in a single jar so you don't need to buy multiple different jars
    • Beef bouillon paste - a way to add concentrated flavor
    • Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard - these two ingredients are ones you don't want to skip. They're overall flavor enhancers, and you don't taste them specifically!
    • Flour - for thickening
    • Milk - we're using whole milk for the gravy
    • Parsley - optional, but parsley brings a pop of freshness

    How to make hamburger gravy

    This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

    cooking ground beef and onions in a skillet for hamburger gravy

    In a skillet, brown the beef and onion. Leave the fat in the pan for more flavor. Stir in the seasonings, bouillon, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard.

    mixing in flour and milk for hamburger gravy

    Add in the flour and milk. Let it simmer for 5-10 minutes or until it has thickened up to your liking. Season generously with salt & pepper, and garnish with chopped parsley if using. That's it!

    Substitutions and variations

    • Change it up by using half ground Italian sausage and half ground beef.
    • Want it to be even richer? Add in a splash of cream, or use half-and-half instead of milk.
    • If you want to go a little fancy, add in a splash of sherry.
    • For veggies additions, you could add in some mushrooms if you like. I've seen similar recipes do this. Chopped frozen mixed vegetables (try peas and carrots) would be good too.

    Leftovers and storage

    • Leftovers will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge in a covered container.
    • Reheat in a saucepan over a low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. You could also microwave it in small increments.
    • You can freeze hamburger gravy for up to 3 months, but there's a chance the sauce may separate a bit when reheating. Don't worry, it'll still taste good!

    What to serve with hamburger gravy

    • Try Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Red Potatoes, rice, or Garlic Butter Noodles as a starch.
    • Make it a complete meal and pair it with Asparagus or Brussels Sprouts and Bacon.
    • A reader on Instagram let me know that she grew up calling this "creamed beef", and it was her favorite breakfast growing up. She would eat it on generously buttered toast, and I think that sounds delicious too!

    More comfort food classics

    • Easy Salisbury Steak
    • Smothered Chicken
    • Swedish Meatballs
    • Easy Hamburger Soup
    • Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe
    • Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe
    hamburger gravy in a skillet

    Questions about this hamburger gravy recipe? Talk to me in the comments below!

    creamed hamburger gravy in a shallow bowl with mashed potatoes and broccolini

    Easy Hamburger Gravy

    Hamburger gravy is an old fashioned recipe that's incredibly simple to make using everyday ingredients, is inexpensive, and comes together fast! It's a hearty homestyle meal for your entire family.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 262 kcal
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    Ingredients
     

    • 1 pound lean ground beef
    • 1/2 medium onion chopped finely
    • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • 2 teaspoons beef bouillon paste I used Better Than Bouillon
    • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • 3 tablespoons flour
    • 2 cups whole milk
    • Salt & pepper to taste
    • Chopped fresh parsley optional, to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Add the beef and onion to a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook it until browned, breaking up the meat with your spoon as you go along (about 8 minutes). Don't drain the fat unless you're not using lean ground beef (then drain a bit but still leave some in).
    • Stir in the onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, bouillon paste, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard.
    • Reduce the heat to medium, then stir in the flour.
    • Stir in the milk slowly until the flour has dissolved.
    • Once it starts to bubble, let it cook until it's thickened up to your liking, stirring occasionally (about 5-10 minutes).
    • Season as needed with salt & pepper and adjust other ingredients to taste if needed. Serve with fresh parsley sprinkled over top if you wish.

    Notes

    • Use a beef bouillon cube or two if you don't have the paste (but Better Than Bouillon is easy to find in most grocery stores and delicious for enhancing many recipes).
    • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
       

    Nutrition

    Calories: 262kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 29gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 83mgSodium: 186mgPotassium: 624mgFiber: 1gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 204IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 160mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword creamed beef recipe, creamed hamburger, hamburger gravy recipe
    Author Natasha Bull
    « Swedish Meatballs
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    1. Julie Zabolio says

      February 5, 2023 at 8:13 PM

      5 stars
      I made this tonight and served it over mashed potatoes. It was so good - total comfort food!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 6, 2023 at 7:18 PM

        Fantastic!! I'm so happy to hear that. Thanks for your review!

        Reply

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