This easy, keto sausage gravy recipe is a healthy spin on classic comfort food. I made healthier changes to make my version paleo, low-carb, keto, gluten-free, dairy-free, and it even has a nut-free option! This recipe is very easy to follow and only takes 15 minutes to go from pan to biscuit. Simple ingredients, minimal prep, and full of absolutely delicious flavor.
Keto sausage gravy is the ultimate low carb comfort food that will satisfy your cravings. This creamy and savory breakfast gravy can be made in just 15 minutes with simple pantry staples. I’ll walk you through step-by-step how to make easy keto sausage gravy from scratch that’s gluten free and dairy free.
As someone who loves southern cuisine, sausage gravy and biscuits was one of the foods I missed most when starting a low carb or keto diet. Traditional sausage gravy contains wheat flour and milk both of which are too high in carbs for keto.
But with a few simple substitutions, we can transform this carb-heavy comfort classic into a keto-friendly version that’s just as tasty. The best part is how quick and easy this recipe comes together. You likely have most of the ingredients on hand already.
Benefits of Keto Sausage Gravy
Here’s why you should add this recipe to your low carb breakfast rotation:
- It’s fast – ready in 15 minutes start to finish
- Contains just 5g net carbs per serving
- Rich, creamy and delicious flavor
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Naturally gluten free and dairy free
- High in fat and protein to keep you full
This keto gravy recipe is perfect for
- Biscuits and gravy
- Topping cauliflower mash
- Drizzling over scrambled eggs
- Dipping low carb bread or bagels
- Adding flavor to roasted veggies or keto bowls
So if you love gravy but avoid it on a low carb or keto diet, this easy recipe will be a game changer! Let’s get started.
Ingredients Needed
The great thing about this recipe is that it uses basic ingredients you likely have on hand:
- Breakfast sausage
- Heavy cream
- Cream cheese
- Chicken broth
- Seasonings like garlic powder, sage, pepper
That’s it! No weird flours or obscure ingredients needed.
I like to use a mild breakfast sausage for the most versatility. Spicy or maple flavored sausage would work too if you prefer those flavors.
For the thickener, we use cream cheese instead of flour. It gives the gravy a rich, creamy texture without any carbs.
Heavy whipping cream adds even more luxurious fat and creaminess. Plus it contains less carbs than regular dairy milk.
And chicken broth helps thin out the gravy to the perfect consistency. Feel free to use vegetable or beef broth instead if you prefer.
That’s all you need for easy keto sausage gravy! Now let’s go over the simple steps.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here is the basic process for how to make keto sausage gravy:
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Brown the sausage: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add your breakfast sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once browned, remove sausage to a plate.
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Make the roux: Leave about 1 Tbsp grease in the pan and add butter or oil. Whisk in cream cheese and spices until smooth.
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Thin the gravy: Pour in heavy cream and broth while whisking constantly until it thickens up.
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Simmer: Add cooked sausage back to the gravy and let simmer 2-3 minutes.
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Season to taste: Add any extra salt, pepper or spices as desired.
And that’s it! As you can see, this comes together really fast. Now let’s go over some tips and tricks for perfect gravy every time.
Tips for Making the Best Keto Sausage Gravy
Here are some helpful tips to ensure your keto gravy turns out thick, creamy and full of flavor:
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Use a heavy-bottomed skillet for even cooking. Cast iron works great.
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Break up the sausage thoroughly as it cooks so there are no big chunks.
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Whisk the cream cheese aggressively at first to prevent lumps.
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Add broth gradually until desired consistency is reached.
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Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes at the end to meld the flavors.
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Add extra spices to taste. Sage, garlic, thyme all complement sausage well.
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For thicker gravy, whisk in an extra spoonful of cream cheese.
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For thinner gravy, add more broth or heavy cream.
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Salt and pepper to taste at the end. Sausage is usually seasoned already.
And that’s all it takes to make flavorful keto sausage gravy you’ll want to drizzle on everything!
Serving Suggestions
While this keto gravy is commonly served over biscuits, here are some other delicious ways to eat it:
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Biscuits or keto bread – Get that classic biscuits and gravy flavor!
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Cauliflower mash – An easy low carb stand-in for mashed potatoes.
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Scrambled eggs – Takes boring old eggs to the next level.
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Omelets – Stuff your omelet with sausage gravy for a killer breakfast.
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Veggies – Delicious drizzled over roasted broccoli, Brussels sprouts, etc.
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Keto bowls – Add some richness to meal prep bowls and lettuce wraps.
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Pork chops or chicken – Smother pork chops or baked chicken for an easy dinner.
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Low carb bagels or English muffins – Another great biscuit alternative.
The possibilities are endless! This gravy is so versatile and can turn any boring meal into a delicious low carb comfort food.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re new to making keto gravy, here are answers to some common questions:
Is keto gravy thick?
Yes, this recipe produces a nice thick gravy similar to the traditional version. The cream cheese helps give it that rich, creamy texture.
Do you need xanthan gum?
No, xanthan gum is not required as the cream cheese acts as the thickener. But you can add a pinch to make it even thicker.
Can I use almond milk instead?
I don’t recommend it – almond milk is too thin and won’t thicken up properly like heavy cream does. Stick with heavy cream or half and half for best results.
How long does it last in the fridge?
Leftover gravy will keep in an airtight container for 5-7 days. The texture may thicken up, so you can thin it with broth when reheating.
Can I freeze the gravy?
Yes, it freezes well for 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating on the stove or in the microwave.
Can I use turkey or chicken sausage?
Absolutely! Any ground sausage will work great in this recipe. Turkey and chicken are lower fat options.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If your gravy doesn’t turn out quite right, here are some tips to troubleshoot:
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Too thin? Whisk in a bit more cream cheese or xanthan gum to thicken.
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Too thick? Add more broth or cream to thin it to desired consistency.
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Lumpy? Use a whisk and vigorously stir out any lumps. Make sure cream cheese is fully incorporated.
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Bland flavor? Season with more salt, pepper, sage or other spices to boost flavor.
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Greasy on top? This is normal, you can skim off any grease before serving if desired.
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Curdled? If the cream curdles from overheating, try immersing the bottom of the pan in cold water while whisking vigorously.
Just remember that gravy takes some practice! Don’t get discouraged if your first batch isn’t perfect. Tweak it to your preferences and you’ll get the hang of it.
Conclusion
Now you know how easy it is to transform traditional sausage gravy into a keto-friendly version that’s low in carbs but still packed with flavor.
The simple swaps of cream cheese for flour and heavy cream for milk keep the carbs low without sacrificing that creamy, savory gravy flavor.
This recipe comes together in just 15 minutes with pantry staple ingredients. It’s a satisfying low carb comfort food that will become a breakfast favorite.
Whisk up a batch on the weekend to smother biscuits, top cauliflower mash or dress up any plain protein. The possibilities are endless!
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Recipe Step by Step
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Put in the sausage, sage, and fennel seeds. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring often with a wooden spoon, until the sausage is fully cooked. Remove from the pan using a slotted spoon.
- Add 2 tablespoons of ghee to the pan and leave 1 tablespoon of grease in it.
- Add the cassava flour and mix it in quickly with a whisk until a smooth paste forms.
- Add the milk and chicken broth right away, and keep whisking over medium-low heat until it starts to thicken.
- Add in the thyme and garlic powder. It might look lumpy at first, but I promise that if you keep whisking it, it will get smooth!
- After you add the sausage back to the pan, stir it around for a few minutes to let the flavors blend.
- Serve right away with gluten-free biscuits, crispy air-fried potatoes, home fries, or keto biscuits. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Ways to Serve Low-Carb Sausage Gravy
There are endless ways to eat this amazing gravy. Try one of these below or let me know in the comments how you enjoyed yours!.
- Keto Biscuits and Gravy
- Eggs
- Omelettes
- Gluten-Free Biscuits and Gravy
- Air-Fried Potatoes
- Keto-Friendly veggies like broccoli, riced cauliflower, etc.
- You can keep extra keto sausage gravy in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container. If you store it, it will get thicker, so heat it up and stir it well before serving.
In the traditional recipe, the answer is yes. Regular flour and milk are high in carbs. In this keto version, there are just 4 grams of net carbs per serving.
Cornstarch has a ton of carbs and is not keto-friendly. I like using tapioca starch, arrowroot, and xanthan gum instead of cornstarch because they are healthier and lower in carbs. In this recipe, the cassava flour thickens the sauce on its own. No need for a thickening agent!.