Hot flaky biscuits with creamy turkey gravy are ready in no time. You only need five ingredients and 15 minutes to make this family friendly southern staple.
We grew up on biscuits and gravy here in the south. It was the traditional weekend breakfast. It’s truly our favorite breakfast to eat and make because of its simplicity. Only a few simple ingredients are needed and we had them in our pantry at all times.
Recently I wanted to try something new and make this with turkey sausage instead of regular sausage. I had some reservations in mind. I wondered if it would be just as flavorful or taste the same. Turns out, it was just as good if not better! Im confident this is the best turkey sausage gravy recipe.
The turkey biscuits and gravy recipe can be made ahead and reheated before school or work on a week day. On the other hand, if you’re into breakfast for dinner this is a great idea for a cozy night in.[feast_advanced_jump_to]
Biscuits and gravy is a comforting breakfast dish that is beloved across America While traditionally made with fatty pork sausage, biscuits and gravy can easily be lightened up by using leaner turkey sausage instead This simple swap transforms biscuits and gravy into a healthier, yet still totally delicious, meal.
An Overview of Turkey Biscuits and Gravy
Turkey biscuits and gravy consists of a few key components:
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Fluffy biscuits – The base of the dish is baking powder biscuits, which can be made from scratch or store-bought. Homemade tastes best, but refrigerated canned biscuits work fine in a pinch.
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Turkey sausage gravy – A simple white gravy is made by cooking turkey sausage, then building a roux with the drippings, flour, and milk. Spices like black pepper add flavor.
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Optional toppings – You can serve turkey biscuits and gravy as-is, or dress it up with extras like chopped green onion, shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, or a fried egg.
This satisfying breakfast or brunch comes together in about 30 minutes. It’s easy enough for a weekday morning yet special enough for company. Keep reading for tips on how to make foolproof turkey biscuits and gravy at home.
Why Choose Turkey Sausage?
Using turkey sausage instead of pork sausage imparts some excellent health benefits:
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Less fat and calories – Turkey sausage contains significantly less total fat, saturated fat, and calories compared to fattier pork sausage. This lightens up the overall dish.
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More protein – Turkey sausage packs in more protein per serving compared to pork varieties. Protein keeps you fuller longer.
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Fewer preservatives – Turkey sausage often contains less sodium and artificial preservatives than highly processed pork sausage.
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More options – Turkey sausage comes in different flavors, like maple, apple, and hot Italian. You can customize your gravy.
So by choosing turkey sausage over pork, you get all the comforting flavors and textures of classic biscuits and gravy, just in a version that’s better for you. It’s a simple, tasty way to lighten up a hearty breakfast favorite.
How to Make Fluffy Biscuits
The biscuits are a hugely important component of biscuits and gravy. You want them to be tall, fluffy, and tender on the inside. Here are some tips:
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Use self-rising flour: Self-rising flour contains baking powder and salt already mixed in, making your biscuit prep easier. If you don’t have it, use all-purpose flour plus 1 1/2 tsp baking powder and 1/4 tsp salt per cup of flour.
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Work the dough minimally: Overworking the dough will result in dense, tough biscuits. Mix it just until a shaggy dough forms, then pat out and shape.
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Cut straight down: When cutting the biscuits, press straight down. Twisting the cutter seals the edges and prevents rising.
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Bake hot: Baking at a high temp (425°F) gives you the rise you want.
With these tips, your biscuits will be light and fluffy every time.
Step-By-Step Instructions for Turkey Sausage Gravy
Making the gravy for turkey biscuits and gravy takes just 10 minutes. Follow these simple steps:
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Cook 1 lb turkey sausage in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks.
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Drain excess grease if needed. Leave about 2 Tbsp drippings.
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Whisk in 3 Tbsp flour and cook 1 minute.
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Gradually whisk in 2-3 cups milk and stir constantly as it thickens.
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Add salt, pepper, and other seasonings like garlic powder or thyme to taste.
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Simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes.
That’s it – an easy, creamy turkey gravy ready to top those homemade biscuits!
Serving Suggestions
Turkey biscuits and gravy is delicious as-is, but you can also dress it up in lots of tasty ways:
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Add cheese: Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack all melt deliciously over gravy.
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Top with an egg: A fried egg adds protein and the runny yolk mixes with the gravy.
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Mix in veggies: Sauteed mushrooms or onions, blanched asparagus, or fresh spinach add nutrition.
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Include some meat: Crumbled bacon, diced ham, or cooked breakfast sausage add even more flavor.
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Drizzle with hot sauce: A dash of Tabasco, Cholula, or your favorite hot sauce brings a spicy kick.
Get creative and make this classic dish your own!
Storing and Freezing Leftovers
Since this recipe yields a decent amount, you’ll likely have leftovers. Here are some storage tips:
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Store biscuits and gravy separately, so biscuits don’t get soggy.
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Refrigerate for 3-4 days or freeze gravy for up to 3 months.
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Reheat gravy on the stovetop, adding milk to thin if needed.
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Microwave biscuits 10-20 seconds to warm before serving.
With proper storage, you’ll be able to enjoy leftover turkey biscuits and gravy all week long!
Satisfying and Simple
Biscuits and gravy is easy to customize to your tastes. Switching to turkey sausage instead of pork keeps all the satisfying flavor but in a lighter, healthier package. In about 30 minutes, you can have an incredible homemade breakfast using simple ingredients. Wake up to turkey biscuits and gravy for a warm, comforting start to any day.
Where did Biscuits and Gravy Come From?
Many sources say biscuits and gravy may go back as far as the Revolutionary War. Others believe it originated in southern Appalachia in the late 1800’s. Biscuits and gravy were cheap and calorie packed for the laborers in the area. This made for an ideal way to start the day.
Around this time biscuits were a lot different than they are now. We’re used to the light, fluffy, buttery biscuits we can either make homemade or buy from the store for easy prep. Toward the beginning of the 1800’s biscuits were more dense since baking powder and baking soda were not readily available. It took vigorous beating and folding to get a desirable texture. Over time this got easier with the help from technology and baking ingredients being more available to homes.
How is Turkey Sausage Different Than Pork Sausage?
Turkey sausage is a great alternative to pork sausage. The flavors are similar and turkey sausage is wonderful in this turkey gravy and biscuits recipe. However, there are some key differences to note.
Turkey sausage is lower in saturated fat and salt compared to pork sausage. This is appealing to those on a heart-conscious diet who still want to enjoy sausage with their biscuits and gravy. It’s also lower on calories and still packs a lot of protein making it a great choice for this turkey gravy and biscuits recipe.
Consequently, the sausage is slightly different in texture, it’s a little less juicy and has a more mild flavor. I don’t find this to be a problem in the gravy at all. Because, turkey is a more lean meat, enough fat is added to get a nice roux to form when you’re cooking. Because it can be a little more dry, I recommend that you break the meat apart earlier. As the turkey cooks it can be a little more challenging to break apart.
You can find turkey sausage raw or pre-cooked. The pre-cooked options will not work well for this recipe at all. Choose raw so you can cook the lean ground sausage from scratch.
Sausage Gravy | Biscuits And Gravy Made w/Ground Turkey
FAQ
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