Homemade Sourdough Sausage Gravy and Biscuits Recipe (2024)

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Sourdough biscuits, made with a tangy starter, bring a unique twist to the classic buttery and flaky biscuits. The hearty sausage gravy, thickened using sourdough discard, completes the cozy experience, making it the ultimate comfort dish.

Homemade Sourdough Sausage Gravy and Biscuits Recipe (1)

Homemade sourdough biscuits are crafted with simple ingredients and made irresistibly light, buttery, flaky, and tender, earning their place as the best biscuits at the breakfast table. These buttery sourdough biscuits become the perfect vessel to soak up the savory sausage gravy, a family-favorite recipe featuring cooked sausage with ground thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.

But what makes this classic recipe stand out from the rest is how the sausage gravy is thickened. Instead of creating a roux with melted butter and flour, all you need is sourdough discard! With a hint of sourdough tang, this no-waste option is just as delicious as when grandma made it.

Sourdough Biscuits and Sourdough Sausage Gravy are the go-to for big breakfasts and special occasions, like Christmas morning, enhancing the meal with its comforting flavors.

The combination of the best biscuits and a flavorful sausage gravy makes any morning memorable, turning ordinary breakfasts into extraordinary family moments.

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Homemade Sourdough Sausage Gravy and Biscuits Recipe (2)

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Comfort Food

Homemade sausage gravy poured over the most fluffy biscuits, has to be the ultimate comfort food. Then add sourdough starter to the biscuits and gravy. Even better!

Easy Recipe

These tender and buttery Sourdough Biscuits will have you wondering why it took you so long to make them from scratch. Whip up these easy biscuits in no time and enjoy every flaky bite.

Waste Reducer

If you’re like me, I’m always looking for new ways to incorporate mysourdough discardinto any scrumptious baked treat or savory side dish! FromSourdough Graham CrackerstoHomemade Sourdough Corn Dogs,sourdough discard adds a delicious twist, just like with these Sourdough Biscuits and Sausage Gravy.

Homemade Sourdough Sausage Gravy and Biscuits Recipe (3)

Ingredients

Sourdough Biscuits

All-purpose flour

Baking Powder

Salt

Cold Butter

Sourdough Starter

Homemade Sourdough Sausage Gravy and Biscuits Recipe (4)

Sourdough Sausage Gravy

Breakfast Sausage – I stuck with breakfast sausage, but this can be substituted for spicy pork sausage if you’re looking for some kick!

Sourdough Starter Discard

Half and Half –You can substitute whole milk for half and half.

Seasonings– I used a combination of thyme, crushed rosemary, salt, and black pepper to season up this Sourdough Sausage Gravy just right.

Supplies

Large Bowl

Cheese Grater

Biscuit Cutter

Baking Sheet

Parchment Paper

Baking Sheet

10-inch Cast Iron Skillet or Large Skillet

How to Make Sourdough Biscuits and Sourdough Sausage Gravy

Flaky Sourdough Biscuits

Preheat oven to 425 degrees f.

Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.

Grate cold/frozen butter with a cheese grater and mix with the dry ingredients until crumbly. Add starter or sourdough discard and knead until the flour mixture is just incorporated. Don’t overmix or the Sourdough Biscuits will be tough.

Homemade Sourdough Sausage Gravy and Biscuits Recipe (5)
Homemade Sourdough Sausage Gravy and Biscuits Recipe (6)

Form into a large 1-inch thick circle. Use a biscuit cutter to shape 6 biscuits. You may need to re-roll the biscuit dough and shape the final biscuits.

Place the sourdough biscuits on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Chill in the fridge for 15 minutes. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.

Homemade Sourdough Sausage Gravy and Biscuits Recipe (7)

Sourdough Sausage Gravy

Preheat a cast iron skillet to medium heat. Cook the sausage for 5-6 minutes, or until cooked through. Stir frequently and use a wooden spoon to break up the meat into smaller crumbles.

Pour the sourdough discard into the pan with the cooked sausage. Stir until it is evenly distributed. The discard will stick to the sausage.

Slowly pour in the half-and-half or whole milk. Stir continuously until the gravy thickens and begins to bubble. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add the thyme, rosemary, salt, and black pepper and stir. If you prefer a thinner gravy, add a splash of milk until the desired consistency is reached.

Homemade Sourdough Sausage Gravy and Biscuits Recipe (8)

For a little extra kick, add 1/8 teaspoon of red pepper flakes.

Split one of the flaky biscuits in half and spoon the sourdough sausage gravy on top. Serve hot and enjoy!

How to Serve

Buttery Sourdough Biscuits topped with Sourdough Sausage Gravy though certainly delicious served on its own, would be even better when served with Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls, light salad, fresh fruit, and a hot cup of coffee.

How to Store

Though sourdough biscuits are best enjoyed hot and fresh out of the oven, you can store them in an airtight container for 1-2 days. Store leftover sourdough sausage gravy in an airtight container as well in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Quickly reheat both in the microwave until hot.

Homemade Sourdough Sausage Gravy and Biscuits Recipe (9)

FAQs:

Why did my sourdough biscuits turn out flat?

Two possible reasons why the biscuits came out flat. One, the baking powder was expired. Baking powder will help the biscuits rise to their greatest potential, so always double-check that your ingredients are fresh.

Second, improper handling. To achieve those light, flaky layers in your Sourdough Biscuits you can’t overmix or overheat the dough. The cold butter in the dough must remain cold because while the butter melts when it is baked, it releases steam which helps the biscuits become light and fluffy. If the butter is already melted into the dough, the biscuits will remain flat.

What type of sausage should I use?

My favorite sausage to use in Sourdough Sausage Gravy is breakfast sausage, but if you are looking to turn up the heat, swap it with your favorite ground spicy sausage!

Can I make sourdough biscuits and sausage gravy ahead of time?

Absolutely! Prepare the Sourdough Sausage Gravy the night before, cool it to room temperature, and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. The next morning, reheat the sausage gravy in a medium-sized saucepan until heated through.

You can also prepare the Sourdough Biscuits the night before. Place them on a baking sheet, cover them with plastic wrap, and store them in the fridge. Bake them the following morning for fresh, hot Sourdough Biscuits.

Homemade Sourdough Sausage Gravy and Biscuits Recipe (10)

Happy Baking!

Homemade Sourdough Sausage Gravy and Biscuits Recipe (11)

More Sourdough Recipes Like This:

Sourdough Crepes

Breakfast Pizza with a Sourdough Pizza Crust

Easy Quiche with a Sourdough Crust

Homemade Sourdough Sausage Gravy and Biscuits Recipe (12)

Homemade Sourdough Sausage Gravy and Biscuits Recipe

Yield: 6 biscuits & gravy

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Chill Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Sourdough biscuits, made with a tangy starter, bring a unique twist to the classic buttery and flaky biscuits. The hearty sausage gravy, thickened using sourdough discard, completes the cozy experience, making it the ultimate comfort dish.

Ingredients

Sourdough Biscuits

  • 3/4 cup flour (105g)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup COLD unsalted butter, grated
  • 1 cup sourdough starter or discard (200g)

Sourdough Sausage Gravy

  • 1 pound ground sausage
  • 1/2 cup sourdough discard (140g)
  • 3 cups half & half / whole milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon thyme
  • 1/8 teaspoon rosemary, crushed

Instructions

Flaky Sourdough Biscuits

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees f.

2. Mix 3/4 c flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt in a medium bowl.

3. Grate 1 stick of cold/frozen butter with a cheese grater and mix with the dry ingredients until crumbly. Add 1 c (200g) starter or sourdough discard and knead until the flour mixture is just incorporated. Don't overmix or they will be tough.

4. Form into a large 1-inch thick circle. Use a biscuit cutter to shape 6 biscuits. You may need to re-roll the biscuit dough and shape the final biscuits.

5. Place the sourdough biscuits on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Chill in the fridge for 15 minutes. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.

Sourdough Sausage Gravy

6. Preheat a cast iron skillet to medium heat. Cook 1 lb sausage for 5-6 minutes, or until cooked through. Stir frequently and use a wooden spoon to break up the meat into smaller crumbles.

7. Pour 1/2 c (140g) sourdough discard into the pan with the cooked sausage. Stir until it is evenly distributed. The discard will stick to the sausage.

8. Slowly pour in 3 c half-and-half or whole milk. Stir continuously until the gravy thickens and begins to bubble. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add 1/8 tsp thyme, 1/8 tsp rosemary, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper and stir. If you prefer a thinner gravy, add a splash of milk until the desired consistency is reached.

**For a little extra kick, add 1/8 teaspoon of red pepper flakes.


9. Split one of the flaky biscuits in half and spoon the sourdough sausage gravy on top. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

How to Store

Though sourdough biscuits are best enjoyed hot and fresh out of the oven, you can store them in an airtight container for 1-2 days. Store leftover sourdough sausage gravy in an airtight container as well in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Quickly reheat both in the microwave until hot.

FAQs:

Why did my sourdough biscuits turn out flat?

Two possible reasons why the biscuits came out flat. One, the baking powder was expired. Baking powder will help the biscuits rise to their greatest potential, so always double-check that your ingredients are fresh. Second, improper handling. To achieve those light, flaky layers in your Sourdough Biscuits you can't overmix or overheat the dough. The cold butter in the dough must remain cold because while the butter melts when it is baked, it releases steam which helps the biscuits become light and fluffy. If the butter is already melted into the dough, the biscuits will remain flat.

What type of sausage should I use?

My favorite sausage to use in Sourdough Sausage Gravy is breakfast sausage, but if you are looking to turn up the heat, swap it with your favorite ground spicy sausage!

Can I make sourdough biscuits and sausage gravy ahead of time?

Absolutely! Prepare the Sourdough Sausage Gravy the night before, cool it to room temperature, and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. The next morning, reheat the sausage gravy in a medium-sized saucepan until heated through.

You can also prepare the Sourdough Biscuits the night before. Place them on a baking sheet, cover them with plastic wrap, and store them in the fridge. Bake them the following morning for fresh, hot Sourdough Biscuits.

Did you make this recipe?

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Homemade Sourdough Sausage Gravy and Biscuits Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can I use sourdough starter to thicken gravy? ›

Sauces or Gravy.

Your excess sourdough starter can be used as a base or a thickening additive for your favorite sauces or gravies. If the sourdough starter makes the sauce too tart or you feel like the sauce needs to be sweetened up a bit, just add a touch of honey to balance it.

What makes sausage gravy taste better? ›

What makes sausage gravy taste better? Sometimes sausage gravy can taste under-seasoned. This recipe is packed with flavor thanks to the use of chicken broth rather than just milk, as well as thyme, black pepper, salt, garlic, and cayenne in the final gravy. Spend time carefully deepening the color of the roux.

What's the difference between country gravy and sausage gravy? ›

The main difference is that country gravy does not have sausage. Country gravy uses butter to make its roux, while sausage gravy uses the rendered fat from the meat, cooked with flour, to thicken the gravy. Check out Ree Drummond's recipe for country gravy which she serves alongside chicken fried steak.

How do you keep sausage gravy from thickening? ›

Trouble shooting your gravy: If your gravy turns out too thick, simply add more milk, small amounts at a time, continuing to stir, until gravy is the desired consistency.

Can you use sourdough starter in a roux? ›

Traditional Saucepan Method

Add the sourdough starter (or discard) and butter to the saucepan. Whisk together until they form a thick paste (roux). Place the pan on a low heat and gently cook the roux.

Do you have to discard sourdough starter every time you feed it? ›

It would be best if you discarded some portion of your starter each time you feed it unless you want to continue to let it grow. Eventually, you need to discard the used “food” (flour and water) that's been used to sustain your starter during the last fermentation period.

Why does my sausage gravy have no flavor? ›

If the gravy lacks oomph, adjust seasoning as necessary with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. If you used canned stock instead of homemade, the gravy might not be as flavorful. Homemade stock, even made with chicken stock rather than turkey, will produce a superior gravy—so it's worth the effort.

How to add flavor to sausage gravy? ›

Using a lower-fat milk will result in a thinner sausage gravy. Seasoning. Add salt and pepper to taste, and, if you'd like, just a pinch of crushed red pepper. If the flavor of the gravy tastes anything less than amazing once it's finished cooking, you most likely just need a few more shakes of salt!

What is gravy called in the South? ›

Sawmill Gravy

A creamy skillet gravy made with drippings, this staple—known by many now as just "sausage gravy" or "country gravy"—can be said to bolster up the entire Southern breakfast menu, and nobody makes it better than the old-fashioned, country-style breakfast joint in your hometown or your own grandma.

What gravy is KFC? ›

What is the gravy at KFC made of? The restaurant uses a simple combination of gravy powder, water, and – their secret ingredient – chicken crackling. This is a collection of the browned bits and pieces leftover from frying their world famous chicken.

Why is white gravy called sawmill gravy? ›

The term "sawmill gravy" comes from early logging camp food and old-time sawmills. It was originally made with cornmeal, bacon drippings, milk, and seasonings. This resulted in a somewhat gritty gravy; in fact, rumor has it that the loggers would accuse the cooks of putting sawdust in the recipe!

Is it better to make gravy with flour or cornstarch? ›

Browning adds more flavor to the gravy and gets rid of the raw flour taste. You're basically making a roux. We find that a flour-based gravy holds up better and reheats better later, which is why we tend to prefer using flour over cornstarch to make gravy unless we have a guest who is eating gluten-free.

Can I use sour milk for gravy? ›

Add the slurry to just cover the food. Bring to boil while stirring and simmer at low heat for about 10 minutes. Add water if it gets too thick. Add the thick sour milk and let cook for about three minutes, stirring.

How do you make Steve Evans sausage gravy? ›

Steve Evans Sausage Gravy

Brown 1lb. Steve Evans Sausage in a big skillet over medium heat. As the sausage is just turning brown, stir in exactly 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, and coat all the meat. As soon as the Sausage is coated, pour in one can of evaporated milk and 1 1/2 cans of water.

Can you use sourdough starter to thicken soup? ›

I have a new recipe up at my column at the San Francisco Chronicle this week and it's a way for you to use up your sourdough starter to make soup. The acid in the starter will act as a souring agent and the starch in the flour will help the thicken the base of your soup, so its 2 for 1 but an easy way to reduce waste.

Can you use sourdough discard to thicken stew? ›

Sourdough discard can be used to easily thicken sauces, gravies, soups, curries, casseroles or pretty much anything where you would add flour or corn starch to thicken.

How do you convert a stiff sourdough starter to liquid? ›

Want to turn your stiff starter back into a liquid starter? Rip the stiff starter into small pieces and mix it with lukewarm water. The ratio is 3 parts starter to 1 part water, by either weight or volume: e.g., 3/4 cup (6 ounces) stiff starter added to 1/4 cup (2 ounces) water.

Can I bake with runny sourdough starter? ›

It's not a problem if a starter has a loose and runny consistency, as this texture is a byproduct of a starter's hydration and the flour used for feedings.

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