Biscuits and gravy, main dish from the United States: what it is and how it is eaten

Biscuits and gravy is a breakfast dish from the United States, especially the South. It features soft, doughy biscuits covered in a white gravy made from pork sausage drippings, flour, milk, and often bits of meat. This hearty meal is usually eaten in the morning.

Share on WhatsApp

A classic Southern US breakfast dish
Features soft biscuits and creamy sausage gravy
Originated after the American Revolutionary War
Known as "SOS" in US military slang

What is Biscuits and gravy?

Biscuits and gravy is a dish where soft, flaky biscuits are smothered in a thick, creamy white gravy. The gravy is made by cooking pork sausage, using the fat to blend with flour and milk, and often adding pieces of sausage or other meats like bacon or ground beef. Black pepper is a common seasoning. The biscuits are tender and mild, while the gravy is rich, savory, and peppery. It is a filling, warming meal, especially popular for breakfast.

Where does Biscuits and gravy come from?

This dish developed in the Southern United States after the American Revolutionary War, a time when food supplies were limited and meals needed to be both substantial and affordable. Breakfast was the main meal for many working on plantations, and biscuits and gravy provided a cheap, hearty start to the day. Over time, it became a regional staple, especially in the South.

How is Biscuits and gravy made?

To make biscuits and gravy, soft dough biscuits are baked until fluffy. Separately, pork sausage is cooked, and the drippings are used to make a roux by stirring in flour. Milk is added to create a smooth, white gravy, and bits of sausage or other meats may be mixed in. Black pepper is usually added for flavor. The hot gravy is poured over split biscuits just before serving.

Picture of Biscuits and gravy , with a side order of home fries. Image taken by the author at Daddypop's Tumble Inn Diner in Claremont, NH, USA. — Picture of Biscuits and gravy , with a side order of home fries. Image taken by the author at Daddypop's Tumble Inn Dine. Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Kaszeta assumed (based on copyrig, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

How and when is Biscuits and gravy eaten?

Biscuits and gravy is most often eaten for breakfast in the United States, particularly in the South. It is served hot, usually as a main dish on its own. The meal is popular in homes, diners, and casual restaurants. It is valued for its warmth and ability to satisfy hunger at the start of the day.

Kinds of Biscuits and gravy

A common variation is tomato gravy, where white gravy is combined with crushed or diced tomatoes. In the US military, a similar dish called "SOS" ("shit on a shingle") uses either biscuits or toast and has been a comfort food for over a century. Other meats like bacon or ground beef may be added to the gravy in some versions.

What Biscuits and gravy means

Biscuits and gravy is closely tied to Southern US food traditions and is seen as a symbol of comfort and hospitality. Its origins in making do with limited resources have made it a lasting favorite. The dish is also known in military circles as "SOS," where it has served as a familiar, filling meal for generations.

Questions people ask about Biscuits and gravy

What is biscuits and gravy made of?

It is made of soft dough biscuits topped with a white gravy. The gravy is prepared from pork sausage drippings, flour, milk, and often includes bits of sausage or other meat. Black pepper is usually added for flavor.

Where does biscuits and gravy come from?

Biscuits and gravy comes from the United States, especially the Southern region. It became popular after the American Revolutionary War as a filling and affordable breakfast.

When is biscuits and gravy usually eaten?

It is most commonly eaten for breakfast, especially in the South of the United States. It is served hot and is considered a hearty morning meal.

Are there variations of biscuits and gravy?

Yes, tomato gravy is a version with tomatoes mixed into the white gravy. In the US military, a similar dish called "SOS" uses either biscuits or toast and has been a comfort food for over a century.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Biscuits and gravy", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

Biscuits and gravy