This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This hamburger gravy recipe is incredibly simple to make using everyday ingredients, inexpensive, and comes together fast! It’s a hearty homestyle meal for your entire family.
For another classic, try my Homemade Shepherd’s Pie or Easy Beef and Noodles next.
Why you’ll love it
I’m the first to admit that creamed hamburger may not be the prettiest dish, but what it lacks in looks, it makes up for in total yumminess. It’s kind of like a pared down, no-fuss version of Ground Beef Stroganoff. It’ll get your nostalgia going if you grew up eating it as a kid!
If you’re wondering what to make with ground beef on a busy weeknight for your family, this is a great recipe. It can be on your table in about half an hour, and it’s an economical choice that’s easy on your wallet! That’s a win for picky eaters, too.
What you’ll need
- Ground beef – I recommend using 90% lean ground beef. It’s still fatty enough you get some flavor, but not so fatty you need to drain the grease.
- Onion – my favorite variety is sweet Vidalia onion, but yellow works too
- Onion powder and garlic powder – for a tasty savory base
- Italian seasoning – it’s a convenient blend of fragrant dried herbs that’s in a single jar
- Beef bouillon paste – a way to add concentrated flavor
- Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard – these two ingredients are ones you don’t want to skip. They’re overall flavor enhancers, and you don’t taste them specifically!
- Flour – for thickening
- Milk – we’re using whole milk for the gravy
- Parsley – optional, but parsley brings a pop of freshness
Tools for this recipe
Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!
- This is my favorite cooking spoon. It doesn’t easily scratch cookware.
- I like keeping flour in this OXO airtight container.
- Store the other half of your onion in this cute onion saver so it lasts longer.
How to make hamburger gravy
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
In a skillet, brown the beef and onion. Leave the fat in the pan for more flavor. Stir in the seasonings, bouillon, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard.
Add in the flour and milk. Let it simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until it has thickened up to your liking. Season generously with salt & pepper, and garnish with chopped parsley if using. That’s it!
Substitutions and variations
- Want it to be even richer? Add in a splash of cream, or use half-and-half instead of milk.
- Change it up by using half ground Italian sausage and half ground beef for more delicious flavor!
- If you want to go a little fancy, add in a splash of sherry.
- For veggies additions, you could add in some mushrooms if you like. I’ve seen similar recipes do this. Chopped frozen mixed vegetables (try peas and carrots) would be good too.
What to serve with hamburger gravy
- Try Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Red Potatoes, rice, or Garlic Butter Noodles.
- Make it a complete meal and pair it with Asparagus or Brussels Sprouts and Bacon.
- A reader on Instagram let me know that she grew up calling this “creamed beef”, and it was her favorite breakfast growing up. She would eat it on generously buttered toast, and I think that sounds delicious too!
Leftovers and storage
- Leftovers will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge in a covered container.
- Reheat in a saucepan over a low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. You could also microwave it in small increments.
- You can freeze hamburger gravy for up to 3 months, but there’s a chance the sauce may separate a bit when reheating. Don’t worry, it’ll still taste good!
More comfort food classics
If you made this easy hamburger gravy recipe, please leave a star rating and review in the comments below! You can also tag me #saltandlavender on Instagram.
Easy Hamburger Gravy
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion chopped finely
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons beef bouillon paste I used Better Than Bouillon
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley optional, to taste
Instructions
- Add the beef and onion to a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook it until browned, breaking up the meat with your spoon as you go along (about 8 minutes). Don't drain the fat unless you're not using lean ground beef (then drain a bit but still leave some in).
- Stir in the onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, bouillon paste, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard.
- Reduce the heat to medium, then stir in the flour.
- Stir in the milk slowly until the flour has dissolved.
- Once it starts to bubble, let it cook until it's thickened up to your liking, stirring occasionally (about 5-10 minutes).
- Season as needed with salt & pepper and adjust other ingredients to taste if needed. Serve with fresh parsley sprinkled over top if you wish.
Notes
- Use a beef bouillon cube or two if you don’t have the paste (but Better Than Bouillon is easy to find in most grocery stores and delicious for enhancing many recipes).
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
© Salt & Lavender Inc. Content and photographs are copyrighted. Sharing this blog post is much appreciated, but copying and pasting full recipes without authorization to social media is strictly prohibited.
Great recipe from my childhood. Used a can of evaporated milk I had and then milk to fulfill the full amount. Delicious! Thanks!
You’re welcome, Valarie!
Can I substitute almond or rice milk for the whole milk?
Hi! I’ve never tried rice milk before, and almond milk tends to be a bit watery and doesn’t taste the same as cow’s milk. You’d have to do a bit of experimenting. You may need to adjust cooking time a bit to ensure it thickens up properly. Let me know how it goes if you try!
I never had this before, but it was delicious. I made it just like the recipe.
That’s so nice to hear, Bev! Thanks for your review!
Super easy and DELICIOUS!! Thank you 😊
You’re very welcome!! 😀
I use this recipe several times a month when I make breakfast for dinner. It’s delicious and easy to serve over hash browns or other breakfast potatoes (or tots), along with eggs, toast and sometimes bacon or sausage. Yum! Thank you so much for this quick and easy recipe!
You’re very welcome, Mindy!! Thrilled it’s a favorite. Appreciate your review!
Love this! Had in smashed potatoes but gonna try on cauliflower rice, toast, whatever.
That’s awesome!! Thanks for your review!
I made this tonight and served it over mashed potatoes. It was so good – total comfort food!!
Fantastic!! I’m so happy to hear that. Thanks for your review!