Cracker Barrel Sawmill Gravy

This creamy and rich sawmill gravy tastes just like the one from Cracker Barrel! Made with bacon grease, flour, and milk, it’s easy to make and perfect for biscuits or chicken-fried steak.

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Ingredients Needed:

• 4 tablespoons bacon grease
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 3/4 cup whole milk or heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

How To Make Sawmill Gravy?

1. Melt the Bacon Grease: Heat a skillet over medium heat and melt the bacon grease.
2. Cook the Flour: Add the flour and stir for about 1 minute until it smells nutty.
3. Add the Milk: Slowly pour in the milk or cream while whisking to keep it smooth.
4. Thicken the Gravy: Keep stirring until it thickens into a creamy gravy.
5. Season and Serve: Add salt and black pepper to taste, then serve over biscuits or chicken-fried steak.

Recipe Tips:

• Use Fresh Bacon Grease for the Best Flavor: Freshly rendered bacon grease gives the gravy a deep, smoky flavor. If you use old or stored grease, it may taste stale or overpowering.
• Cook the Flour Just Right: Stir the flour in the bacon grease until it smells slightly nutty, but don’t let it turn dark brown. If it burns, the gravy will taste bitter.
• Add Milk Slowly and Whisk Constantly: Pour the milk or cream in small amounts while whisking non-stop. This prevents lumps and makes the gravy smooth and creamy.
• Adjust Thickness as Needed: If the gravy gets too thick, add a splash of warm milk and whisk it in. If it’s too thin, let it simmer for a minute longer until it thickens.
• Season at the End: The flavor of the gravy develops as it cooks, so wait until the end to add salt and pepper. Start with a little, then taste and adjust as needed.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?

• Refrigerate: Let the sawmill gravy cool down before storing. Put it in a sealed container and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Pour the cooled gravy into a freezer-safe container, leaving a little space at the top. Freeze for up to 2 months.
• Reheat: Pour the gravy into a saucepan and warm it over low heat, stirring constantly. If it gets too thick, add a splash of milk and mix well until smooth.

Nutrition Facts:

• Calories: 219 kcal
• Total Fat: 17g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Cholesterol: 26mg
• Sodium: 352mg
• Potassium: 172mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 11g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 5g
• Protein: 4g