Ground Beef and Gravy

Comfort food classic — rich, savory, and ready in 30 minutes

Ground Beef and Gravy is one of those simple, hearty meals that never goes out of style. Tender browned beef simmered in a thick, flavorful gravy — perfect over mashed potatoes, rice, biscuits, or even low-carb cauliflower mash.

It’s budget-friendly, filling, and ideal for busy weeknights.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Made with pantry staples
One-pan meal
Family-friendly
Freezer-friendly
Ready in under 30 minutes

Ingredients (Serves 4)

1 lb (450g) ground beef
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter or oil
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
Salt and black pepper to taste

Optional:

½ cup sliced mushrooms
1 tablespoon soy sauce (for deeper flavor)

Instructions

1️⃣ Brown the Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.

Drain excess grease if needed.

2️⃣ Add Aromatics

Add onion and cook 3–4 minutes until soft.
Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.

3️⃣ Make the Gravy

Push beef to one side of the pan.
Add butter to the empty space and let melt.
Sprinkle flour over butter and whisk for 1–2 minutes to cook out the raw taste.

Slowly pour in beef broth while stirring to prevent lumps.

4️⃣ Season and Simmer

Add Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper.
Simmer 5–8 minutes until thickened to your liking.

If gravy becomes too thick, add a splash of broth.

Pro Tips

✔ Use 80/20 beef for best flavor
✔ Brown beef well for deeper taste
✔ Cook flour briefly before adding liquid
✔ Simmer gently to avoid breaking the gravy

Serving Ideas

Over creamy mashed potatoes
On buttered egg noodles
Over white or brown rice
Inside toasted sandwich buns
Over low-carb mashed cauliflower

Variations

Creamy Beef and Gravy

Add ¼ cup heavy cream at the end.

Mushroom Gravy Version

Add sliced mushrooms when cooking onions.

Low-Carb Version

Skip flour and use:

½ teaspoon xanthan gum
OR
Reduce broth and simmer longer to thicken naturally.

Southern-Style

Serve over biscuits for a comforting twist.

Storage

Refrigerator: 4 days (airtight container)
Freezer: Up to 3 months
Reheat gently on stovetop with splash of broth

Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)

Calories: 320
Protein: 23g
Carbs: 6–8g
Fat: 22g

(Varies depending on fat content and thickener used.)

Final Thoughts

Ground Beef and Gravy is simple comfort food done right — hearty, savory, and satisfying. It’s one of those recipes you can make from memory after the first time.