Country Bacon Gravy

This Country Bacon Gravy is a simple milk gravy recipe made with bacon drippings. It is perfect for homemade biscuits and gravy.

If you love homemade flaky biscuits and gravy with traditional sausage gravy for breakfast, you’ll love this bacon country gravy version. Whether you’re a star in the kitchen or this is your first time making homemade white gravy, the simple instructions will walk you through every step.

Why I love this recipe

• Homemade gravy with complex flavor
• Hearty breakfast when served over warm biscuits
• Super easy to make

Ingredients needed

The exact quantities are listed in the printable recipe card below, but here are the simple ingredients you will need:

• bacon grease along with crisp bacon bits
• all-purpose flour
• whole milk 
• salt and black pepper

How to make creamy bacon gravy

Combine the bacon grease and flour

You’ll need about a quarter cup of bacon grease. If you already have rendered bacon fat available, simply measure out the amount needed. If not, you’ll need to cook some bacon and reserve the drippings. See my bacon cooking tips below.

Add the bacon grease to a large skillet over medium-low heat and add the flour.

Develop the roux

Whisk the grease and the flour together regularly. It takes about 5 minutes for the roux to develop to a deep golden brown color.

Make the savory bacon gravy

Add one cup of milk at a time and whisk the mixture together until it’s nice and smooth. It might not seem like it will thicken at first, but if you continue to whisk the mixture over the heat, it will thicken.

Once all the milk has been added and it is heated through, it will be the right consistency.

Add seasonings

Finally, add salt and pepper and give it a good taste. Adjust the seasonings as desired.

Serve and enjoy

Spoon the gravy over warm biscuits. For additional flavor and crunch, crumble bacon and sprinkle on top.

Storage and reheating

Any leftover gravy can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated. It’s best consumed within a few days.

This easy bacon gravy recipe is best reheated in a pan over very low heat. You can, however, reheat it in the microwave in one-minute increments at 50% power.

Recipe tips for best results

• Thick gravy – If you find your gravy is too thick, there are several ways to thin it. You could add additional milk, but I also recommend thinning any kind of gravy with chicken stock or chicken broth. Simply whisk in small amounts until you’ve reached the desired consistency.
• Always save the bacon grease – Any time you have cooked bacon, you’ll have excess grease. Not only can you use it to make a bacon grease gravy recipe, but you can use the rendered fat to make eggs in the morning. Simply store it in a glass mason jar for future use.
• Extra flavor – This recipe is fantastic as-is, but there are a few things you can add to change up the flavor. A dusting of cayenne pepper can make them extra spicy. A drizzle of maple syrup can add a sweetness that compliments the salty rich flavor.

How to cook bacon properly

In order to use the reserved bacon drippings, you must either cook the bacon on the stove or in the oven, not in the microwave.

The amount of bacon needed to get the needed amount of grease will vary depending on the quality and fat content of the bacon, as well as whether you’re using thick cut bacon.

Cooking bacon on the stove

My favorite way to cook bacon pieces or chopped bacon is to use a heavy bottom Dutch oven. Simply start over high heat and when the bacon pieces start to bubble and brown, consistency lower the temperature.

When the bacon is done, use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel lined plate and you should have a significant amount of the reserved grease.

Cooking bacon in the oven

If you like to cook bacon slices in the oven for easy cleanup, you can still use the leftover grease. Just be sure to line the baking sheet with parchment paper and when the bacon is done cooking, the residual grease can easily be transferred to a measuring cup to make the gravy.

Other serving ideas

Although I would argue that a country-style gravy like this is perfect over fluffy biscuits, I’ve also found it delicious with:

• Pork chops
• French fries
• Breakfast casseroles

This recipe was originally published in August 2018 and has been updated with helpful information, ingredient and process photos, as well as recipe tips. Don’t worry – the recipe hasn’t changed!