This tasty Hamburger Gravy Recipe brings ground beef together with garlic and onions in a creamy brown gravy seasoned with thyme, parsley, and nutmeg. Serve over homemade mashed potatoes or egg noodles for the ultimate comfort food meal.
This hearty dish comes together in less than 30 minutes and can easily be doubled to feed large families and unexpected dinner guests. Enjoy this hamburger gravy served over homemade biscuits, pasta, rice, oven-baked potatoes, or fried potatoes.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Ground beef: with a little fat in it. Fat is what gives the beef flavor.
- Butter: salted or unsalted
- Flour: all-purpose
- Beef broth: preferably low-sodium
- Heavy cream: For a lighter gravy, use half and half.
- Seasonings: dried thyme, dried parsley, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. You can use fresh thyme or fresh parsley for garnish.
How to Make Hamburger Gravy
This is just the nutshell version. See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and instructions.
Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When it is about halfway through the browning process, add the onions and continue cooking until the ground beef is cooked through and browned and the onions are soft. Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic. Cook the garlic for 1 minute while stirring.
Melt the butter in the skillet with the browned beef. Sprinkle flour over the cooked ground beef mixture. Stir and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the beef broth and heavy cream until smooth. Add the Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, dried parsley, and nutmeg, stirring to combine.
Preparation Tips and Storage
- If the gravy becomes too thick, add more beef broth, 1-2 tablespoons at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.
- For those who like a lot of flavor, add 1-2 teaspoons of creole seasoning. It does not make the gravy overly spicy; it just gives it a lot of flavor. Trust me on this one.
- Experiment with different herbs, such as chopped rosemary, fresh or ground thyme, fresh or dried parsley, dried oregano, dried marjoram, or ground sage.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To freeze, first cool completely. Then add the gravy to a heavy-duty freezer bag or container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stovetop on low or in the microwave at reduced power.
Serving Suggestions for Hamburger Gravy
There are so many great options to serve with this gravy. Serve it over garlic mashed potatoes, potatoes O’Brien, rice, or pasta. Or with butter swim biscuits or Dutch oven bread to sop up all that delicious gravy. Include a vegetable side dish to balance things out, like Southern green beans or roasted parsnips.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can substitute ground pork, chicken, or turkey for the ground beef in this recipe. After browning, drain any excess grease before proceeding.
Yes, you can add cooked carrots, peas, corn, or green beans, or sautéed mushrooms.
More Ground Beef Recipes
Hamburger Gravy
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs. ground beef
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- ½ cup heavy cream or half and half
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- 2 pinches nutmeg
- Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh thyme leaves or chopped fresh Italian parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. When it is about halfway through the browning process add the onions and continue cooking until the ground beef is cooked through and browned and the onions are soft.
- Reduce the heat to medium low and add the garlic. Cook the garlic for 1 minute stirring continuously.
- Melt the butter in the skillet with the browned beef. Sprinkle in the flour and continue cooking for 2 minutes while stirring constantly. Slowly stir in the beef broth and heavy cream until smooth.
- Add the Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, dried parsley, and nutmeg, stirring to combine. Season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves or chopped fresh Italian parsley.
Notes
- If the gravy becomes too thick, add more beef broth, 1-2 tablespoons at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.
- For those who like a lot of flavor, add 1-2 teaspoons of creole seasoning. It does not make the gravy overly spicy; it just gives it a lot of flavor. Trust me on this one.
- Experiment with different herbs, such as chopped rosemary, fresh or ground thyme, fresh or dried parsley, dried oregano, dried marjoram, or ground sage.
Nutrition
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Molly
This was a lot more flavorful than standalone gravy – kind of like a secret sauce.
Christiana
This was absolutely delicious. I served it over you garlic mashed potatoes and I loved every bite!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Christiana! I am so glad that you liked it.
Beeb
Try this over some mashed potatoes! It is so good!
Beth Pierce
I agree, Beeb!
Cecelia
This made me so hungry! Hamburger gravy like this totally reminds me of cozy weeknight dinners growing up. So simple, so comforting. I can already taste it over a big scoop of mashed potatoes — definitely making this soon!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Cecelia! Enjoy!
Catherine Kay
This is a fast, delicious dinner that the whole family enjoys. We have enjoyed it many times and I thought I would jump out here and let you know.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Catherine Kay! I am so happy that you like it.
Angela
This hamburger gravy turned out amazing! The entire family loved it. I can’t wait to make it again…YUM!!!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Angela!
Mimi
My family enjoyed this delicious gravy! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Catalina
So simple, yet so satisfying! I made this for a quick weeknight dinner, and it was hearty and full of flavor!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Catalina! I am so happy that you enjoyed it.
Paula
This gravy was absolutely incredible! Such a good gravy with great depth of flavor. We had it with rice and my kids loved it.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Paula! So glad that you and the kids liked it!
Maria
If this isn’t a plateful of comfort food, I don’t know what is!
Nikki W
I love this simple yet delicious recipe. I like to serve it over your garlic mashed potatoes recipe or white rice with a side of garlic mushrooms. The meal is always delicious!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Nikki!
Ramil Hinolan
Hamburger patties and gravy are a perfect combo. Hamburger gravy makes anything fried taste even more delicious.
Beth Pierce
So true!
Ricardo L
This was an excellent recipe. I amd adding it to my recipe collection. Thanks, Beth!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Ricardo!
Catherine
Hamburger gravy is a comforting and delicious meal that’s perfect for a cozy dinner! It’s simple to make and packed with flavor, and it’s always a hit with the family. Thanks for the great recipe!
Shelley
I made this for my Mom and younger sisters and they loved it. Thanks to you I am becoming a better cook!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Shelley! So glad to hear it!
Shilpa B
Your hamburger gravy is a delicious and comforting dish. It’s a quick and easy way to turn simple ground beef into a hearty and satisfying meal that the whole family will love!