Oh my goodness, let me tell you about this Keto Sausage Gravy that’s going to rock your low-carb world! I remember the first time I thought I’d have to give up my beloved biscuits and gravy after starting keto—I nearly cried! But this recipe? It’s a game-changer, friends. Rich, creamy, peppery sausage gravy that tastes just like the classic but without all those pesky carbs. The first time I served this to my husband, he couldn’t believe it was keto-friendly! This gravy is so velvety and flavorful, you’ll want to put it on everything (and I won’t judge if you do!). Trust me, this is going to become your new Sunday morning tradition.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- All the comfort, none of the carbs – satisfies those comfort food cravings without kicking you out of ketosis
- Quick and easy – ready in just 15 minutes for those mornings when you need something hearty and delicious FAST
- Incredibly versatile – perfect over keto biscuits, eggs, chicken, or even cauliflower mash
- Family-approved – even non-keto family members will be asking for seconds (you might want to make a double batch!)
Ingredients
For the Gravy Base:
- Ground breakfast sausage – the star of the show! Choose a high-quality one with plenty of sage and spices for the best flavor.
- Butter – adds richness and helps create that silky texture we’re after.
- Heavy cream – the perfect keto-friendly liquid base that creates incredible richness.
- Cream cheese – our secret weapon for thickening without flour or starches.
- Chicken broth – adds depth of flavor and helps create the perfect consistency.
- Xanthan gum – just a tiny pinch works magic to thicken our gravy without adding carbs.
For Seasonings:
- Black pepper – and plenty of it! Good sausage gravy should have a noticeable pepper kick.
- Garlic powder – adds depth and savory notes that complement the sausage.
- Onion powder – provides subtle sweetness and rounds out the flavor profile.
- Salt – you might need less than you think, as sausage often brings plenty of salt to the party.
- Dried sage – optional but wonderful for boosting that classic breakfast sausage flavor.
The full ingredient list with measurements will be available in the recipe card below.
How to Make keto sausage gravy.
Brown the Sausage:
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat – no need to add oil, as the sausage will release its own fat.
- Crumble the sausage into the pan and cook until nicely browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks – those little browned bits are flavor gold!
- If there’s excess grease, you can drain some off, but leave about 2 tablespoons in the pan – that’s where so much flavor lives!
Create the Gravy Base:
- Reduce heat to medium-low and add butter to the pan with the cooked sausage, letting it melt completely.
- Add the cream cheese in small chunks, stirring until it melts and combines with the sausage – be patient here!
- Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring constantly – this prevents any lumps from forming.
- Add the chicken broth, continuing to stir as the mixture comes together.
- Sprinkle in the xanthan gum very lightly while whisking vigorously – a little goes a long way!
Season and Simmer:
- Add black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and sage if using – don’t be shy with that pepper!
- Let the gravy simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired thickness.
- Taste and adjust seasonings, adding salt only if needed.
- If the gravy becomes too thick, simply add a splash more broth or cream to thin it out.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Don’t rush the cream cheese melting process – lower heat and patience creates a smoother gravy without lumps.
- Sprinkle xanthan gum with a very light hand – it’s incredibly powerful and continues to thicken as the gravy sits.
- Season gradually and taste often – you can always add more, but you can’t take it away!
- For a smoother gravy, blend half the cooked sausage with the liquid ingredients before returning to the pan with the remaining sausage crumbles.
- Let the gravy sit for 5 minutes before serving – it will thicken slightly and the flavors will deepen beautifully.
How to Serve
This luscious keto gravy is absolute perfection poured over keto biscuits for a classic comfort food breakfast. Don’t have keto biscuits on hand? No problem! It’s equally delicious over a bed of scrambled eggs or used as a sauce for chicken.
For a complete keto breakfast feast, serve your sausage gravy with scrambled eggs and avocado slices on the side. If you’re feeding a family with mixed dietary needs, the non-keto folks can enjoy it over regular biscuits while you stick to your low-carb options – everyone wins!
For an easy weeknight dinner, try this gravy over pan-fried chicken breasts or cauliflower mash for a keto-friendly take on comfort food classics. A sprinkle of fresh chives or parsley on top adds a pop of color and freshness to this rich dish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Make Ahead:
This gravy reheats beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep! You can make it up to 3 days ahead and store in the refrigerator. Just know that it will thicken considerably when chilled – that’s completely normal!
Storage:
Store leftover gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The gravy will solidify when cold due to the high fat content, but will loosen up beautifully when reheated.
Reheating:
Reheat gently over low heat on the stovetop, adding a splash of heavy cream or broth to reach desired consistency. Stir frequently while reheating to ensure smooth, creamy results. You can also microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until heated through.
Freezing:
While cream-based gravies aren’t typically ideal for freezing, this one actually does freeze relatively well for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, and be prepared to add a bit of cream to restore the texture.
FAQs
What can I use instead of xanthan gum if I don’t have any?
Great question! While xanthan gum is the most common keto thickener, you’ve got options if you don’t have it on hand. Guar gum works as a 1:1 substitute, though it can be a bit trickier to work with. Another excellent alternative is to use 1-2 tablespoons of cream cheese powder, which adds thickness while keeping carbs in check. For a more traditional approach that adds minimal carbs, try 1 tablespoon of coconut flour – it absorbs liquid and thickens beautifully, though you’ll need to simmer a bit longer. Just remember that coconut flour will add about 2g net carbs to the entire recipe, which is still fairly minimal when divided into servings!
Can I make this dairy-free while keeping it keto?
Absolutely! While traditional keto often relies heavily on dairy, you can adapt this recipe for dairy sensitivities. Replace the heavy cream with canned coconut cream (not coconut milk) for richness. Instead of cream cheese, use dairy-free cream cheese made from nuts. The butter can be swapped for ghee (if you can tolerate it) or a high-quality dairy-free butter like Miyoko’s. You might need to adjust the thickening agent slightly – sometimes an extra pinch of xanthan gum helps when using dairy alternatives. The flavor profile will shift slightly toward coconut, but with all those savory sausage spices, it still creates a delicious gravy that works beautifully in a dairy-free keto lifestyle!
What type of sausage works best for this recipe?
The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility! For the most traditional flavor, a pork breakfast sausage with sage, thyme, and a touch of maple (no sugar added for keto) creates that classic country gravy taste we all love. Italian sausage works wonderfully too, giving you a slightly different but equally delicious flavor profile. Turkey or chicken sausage can be used for a lighter option, though you might want to add a bit more butter since these leaner meats release less fat. For those who like heat, a spicy breakfast sausage with red pepper flakes creates amazing depth. The most important thing is choosing high-quality sausage with good fat content and checking the label to ensure there are no hidden sugars or fillers that might add unnecessary carbs!
My gravy turned out too thick. How can I fix it?
Don’t worry, this is one of the easiest problems to solve! Keto gravy thickens quite a bit more than traditional flour-based gravy, especially as it sits. To thin it out, simply add warm liquid – either more heavy cream for extra richness, or chicken broth for a lighter touch – one tablespoon at a time while whisking constantly. Keep adding liquid gradually until you reach your desired consistency. If you find your gravy routinely gets too thick, next time use about half the amount of xanthan gum – remember, it’s incredibly powerful and a little goes a very long way! Also, note that the gravy will continue to thicken as it cools, so serving it immediately after preparing helps maintain the perfect texture.
Keto Sausage Gravy
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Wooden spoon
- Whisk
- Measuring Cups & Spoons
Ingredients
Gravy Base
- 1 lb ground breakfast sausage with sage or spices
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 oz cream cheese cubed
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- salt as needed
- 1/2 teaspoon dried sage optional
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until fully browned.
- If needed, drain excess fat, leaving about 2 tablespoons in the skillet.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add butter and stir until melted.
- Add cream cheese cubes and stir until melted and fully incorporated.
- Slowly whisk in heavy cream, then add chicken broth. Stir until smooth.
- Sprinkle in xanthan gum while whisking constantly to prevent clumping. Simmer gently for 3–5 minutes.
- Add black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and sage if using. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Let sit off heat for 5 minutes to thicken slightly before serving.