Description

Southern Tomato Gravy is a savory, comforting sauce made by combining a rich roux with tender tomatoes and flavorful chicken broth. This classic Southern recipe is perfect for pouring over biscuits, grits, or fried chicken, offering a deliciously tangy and creamy texture with a mild kick of black pepper.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

3 tablespoons fat (vegetable oil, shortening, bacon grease, or rendered sausage fat)
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Liquid and Seasoning

1 1/3 cups chicken broth or stock
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Prepare the roux: In a skillet over medium heat, whisk the flour into the warm fat. Continue stirring constantly until the flour starts to brown slightly and emits a nutty aroma, which usually takes a few minutes.
Add broth and tomatoes: Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, stirring continuously to maintain a smooth consistency. Then add the undrained diced tomatoes, mixing well to combine.
Season and thicken: Add salt and black pepper to taste. Cook the mixture, stirring very frequently, until it thickens nicely, about 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve: Serve the hot tomato gravy over warm biscuits, creamy grits, or your favorite Southern dishes for a comforting meal.

Notes

You can use any fat available such as bacon grease or sausage fat for extra flavor.
For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth and use vegetable oil as the fat.
Cook the roux carefully to avoid burning, as this will affect the gravy’s taste.
Adjust the thickness by cooking longer for thicker gravy or adding more broth for a thinner consistency.
Best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Sauce/Gravy
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Southern American

Keywords: Southern tomato gravy, tomato gravy recipe, gravy for biscuits, Southern sauce, tomato sauce, easy gravy, chicken broth gravy