What to Serve with Chipped Beef Gravy: 15 Delicious Side Dishes

Chipped beef gravy is a classic comfort food that brings back nostalgic memories for many. This savory gravy made from dried beef slices makes a hearty, satisfying meal. While chipped beef gravy is often served over toast, there are many other delicious sides that pair wonderfully with this retro dish.

In this article, we’ll suggest 15 of the best side dishes to serve with chipped beef gravy to make it a complete meal. From breakfast staples to lighter sides, these pairings will perfectly complement the rich, salty flavors of the gravy.

Overview of Chipped Beef Gravy

First, let’s go over the basics of chipped beef gravy. This dish starts with dried and cured beef slices, which are chopped or “chipped” into smaller pieces. The chipped beef is cooked into a creamy white gravy along with flour, milk, and seasonings.

Common seasonings include Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, thyme, and onion powder. The gravy takes on a light tan color from the dried beef. It has a smooth, thick texture and salty, savory, slightly tangy beef flavor.

Chipped beef gravy is classically served over buttered toast, particularly for breakfast. But it also works well served over biscuits, mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, and more.

15 Delicious Sides for Chipped Beef Gravy

Here are 15 of my top recommendations for side dishes and pairings that go perfectly with chipped beef gravy:

1. Scrambled Eggs

Fluffy, creamy scrambled eggs are a classic breakfast pairing with chipped beef gravy. The eggs provide protein and the gravy gets sopped up nicely with the eggs.

2. Hash Browns

Crispy, pan-fried hash browns are an ideal partner for chipped beef gravy. The potatoes soak up the rich gravy beautifully.

3. Biscuits

Fresh baked biscuits are a great alternative to toast for serving with chipped beef gravy. The biscuits absorb more gravy and offer a fluffy contrast.

4. Sausage Links

Savory pork sausage links add more meaty flavor to balance the chipped beef gravy. A breakfast classic.

5. Quiche

For a more substantial breakfast, try a veggie or bacon quiche. It allows you to eat the gravy and quiche in one hearty bite.

6. Eggs Benedict

Top a split English muffin with chipped beef gravy, Canadian bacon, and a poached egg for a decadent Eggs Benedict riff.

7. Baked Potato

A fluffy baked potato loaded with chipped beef gravy, bacon, cheese, and scallions makes an indulgent dinner.

8. Mashed Potatoes

For ultimate comfort food, serve chipped beef gravy over a heaping mound of creamy mashed potatoes. Irresistible!

9. Mac and Cheese

Spoon chipped beef gravy over elbow macaroni tossed in an ooey-gooey cheese sauce for a kid-friendly meal.

10. Rice

Steamed white or brown rice soaks up chipped beef gravy nicely. Serve as a savory side dish.

11. Pasta

Any type of pasta – spaghetti, penne, farfalle – pairs well with creamy chipped beef gravy served over top.

12. Biscuits and Gravy Bake

For a fun casserole, place biscuit dough over chipped beef gravy in a baking dish. Bake until the biscuits are cooked through.

13. Green Beans

Some steamed or sautéed green beans add vegetables and color contrast to a chipped beef gravy plate.

14. Dinner Rolls

Warm, soft dinner rolls for dipping into the rich gravy are a satisfying accompaniment.

15. Fruit Salad

A fresh fruit salad of berries, citrus, and melon cuts through the salty gravy with bright sweetness.

With toast, eggs, potatoes, and more, there are so many delicious ways to complete a chipped beef gravy meal. Get creative with different combinations!

Serving Suggestions

For breakfast, stick with toast, biscuits, eggs, hash browns, or a breakfast casserole.
Hearty starches like mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice make it more of a dinner dish.
Add a vegetable like green beans or roasted broccoli for a well-rounded meal.
Balance the rich gravy with something bright and acidic like fruit or a vinaigrette salad.
Leftover chipped beef gravy is great over fried eggs, French fries, or nachos the next day!

Tips for Making Chipped Beef Gravy

Follow these tips for making the perfect chipped beef gravy at home:

Find dried and cured chipped beef at the deli counter or near the hot dogs.
Rinse the beef slices well to remove excess salt before cooking.
Cook the roux of butter and flour thoroughly before adding milk.
Simmer the gravy gently for 10-15 minutes to meld the flavors.
Season with Worcestershire, thyme, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Make plenty – chipped beef gravy reheats very well for leftovers!

The Takeaway

Chipped beef gravy is all about comfort, nostalgia, and simple ingredients coming together to make a satisfying classic. While toast may be the expected pairing, don’t be afraid to get creative with sides like biscuits, eggs, starches, or vegetables. Just about anything can be improved by smothering it with this rich, meaty gravy!

A Meal That Cost Less Than a Gallon of Gas? | Chipped Beef Gravy | Low-Cost Comfort Food | SOS Gravy

FAQ

Why is chipped beef gravy called SOS?

In American military slang it is commonly referred to by the dysphemism “Shit On a Shingle” (SOS). Melt the fat in the pan, and add the flour; when it has cooked a few minutes, add the milk, dissolved in the beef stock, or water.

Is esskay chipped beef discontinued?

“Our organization made the difficult decision to discontinue Esskay hot dogs, and stopped production in December of last year. We will continue to make Esskay deli meat and chipped beef products, which can be found in Baltimore-area grocery stores,” said Chad McFadden, Esskay brand manager, in an email to WJZ.

What cut of meat is chipped beef?

Also called dried beef, chipped beef is typically made from a leaner cut of meat, such as beef round. The meat is brined and left to cure for several days before being drained and air-dried. You can now also find chipped beef that’s been smoked while it dries, adding additional flavor to the meat.

Is chipped beef the same as corned beef?

They are not the same. They both have a high sodium content but the corned beef is brined cured and the dried beef is just salt-cured. Dried beef is sometimes smoked for added flavor whereas corned beef is not. Be sure to try my sous vide corned beef recipe if you wanted to make a homemade corned beef.