Easy Keto Sausage Gravy Recipe

If you’re on the Keto journey, you know the biggest challenge is giving up those heavy, flour-based comfort foods. Traditional Southern sausage gravy is thickened with a flour roux, making it strictly off-limits. Until now! Here is my Easy Keto Sausage Gravy Recipe!

This Keto Sausage Gravy recipe uses a magical low-carb alternative—cream cheese and heavy cream—to create a thick, velvety texture that’s even richer and more satisfying than the original. It’s the perfect, high-fat, low-carb way to start your day.

Why This Is The Best Keto Sausage Gravy!

• Zero Flour: The classic roux (butter and flour) is completely eliminated, slashing the carb count to near zero.
• Ultimate Creaminess: By using a blend of heavy cream and cream cheese, this gravy achieves a luxurious, velvety consistency that flour can’t match.
• Fast & Easy: This recipe is ready in about 15 minutes, making it the perfect easy keto breakfast for busy mornings or a satisfying weekend brunch.
• High-Fat, Low-Carb: It fits perfectly into your macro goals, giving you the healthy fats and protein needed for sustained energy.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Keto Sausage Gravy

• Breakfast Sausage (Ground Pork): Choose a sugar-free, high-quality ground pork sausage.
• Butter (Optional): Adds richness, but often unnecessary if your sausage has enough fat.
• Cream Cheese: Use full-fat. This is our essential low-carb thickener!
• Heavy Cream: The foundation for a rich, creamy gravy.
• Water or Broth: Thins the gravy and adds flavor. Chicken or beef broth works great.
• Black Pepper: Don’t be shy! Classic gravy needs plenty of pepper.
• Salt: Depends on the saltiness of your sausage.
• Garlic Powder: Adds an extra layer of savory flavor.

Step-by-Step: Making the Perfect Low-Carb Gravy

Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a hearty, comforting Keto breakfast in under 20 minutes!

Step 1: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground sausage, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks. Cook until no pink remains. If your sausage is very lean (like turkey sausage), add 1 tablespoon of butter or bacon fat before the meat.

Step 2: Reduce the heat to medium-low. If there is a lot of excess grease, you may drain off a little, but leave some for flavor. Add the cubes of cream cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder (if using). Stir constantly until the cream cheese is fully melted and incorporated into the sausage and fat.

Step 3: Pour in the heavy cream and the water (or broth). Stir constantly, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan—this adds great flavor!

Step 4: Bring the gravy to a gentle simmer over low heat. Continue to stir occasionally. It will take about 5–8 minutes for the mixture to fully thicken. As the heavy cream heats and the cream cheese fully dissolves, the gravy will reach that perfect “country gravy” consistency. Taste the gravy and adjust the seasoning. You will likely need to add more black pepper! Remove from heat, as the gravy will continue to thicken slightly as it cools. Serve immediately.

Keto Sausage Gravy Recipe Tips

• Choose the Right Sausage (No Sugar!): Check the Label: The biggest hidden carb offender in sausage is sugar (often listed as dextrose, corn syrup, or plain sugar). Look for high-quality, sugar-free breakfast sausage to keep your net carbs low. Use hot sausage for a kick, or mild sausage if you prefer a less spicy flavor profile.
• Don’t Drain All the Fat! Traditional gravy fat (often combined with flour) is crucial for flavor. In keto gravy, the sausage fat (or rendered lard) provides the richness that the heavy cream and cream cheese absorb. If there’s more than about 2 tablespoons of rendered fat after browning, you can drain the excess, but leaving some behind is essential for that signature taste.
• The Cream Cheese Method is Key: Always use full-fat cream cheese. The fat content is necessary for the smooth, luxurious texture and aligns with keto macros. For the smoothest gravy, let your cream cheese soften to room temperature before adding it to the skillet. This helps it melt and integrate with the sausage and fat much faster, preventing lumps.
• Season Heavily with Pepper: The defining flavor of Southern sausage gravy (aside from the sausage) is a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper. Start with the recipe amount, but don’t be afraid to add more right before serving. The flavor deepens as the gravy simmers.
• Control the Consistency: If your gravy gets too thick after simmering (which can happen when the cream cheese cools slightly), simply whisk in an extra 1/4 cup of heavy cream or broth until it reaches your desired consistency.

Storing, Freezing & Reheating Instructions

• Storing (Refrigeration): Transfer the cooled gravy to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Be aware that the gravy will thicken considerably as it chills, but the consistency is easily fixed during reheating.
• Freezing: While dairy-based gravies may have slight texture changes upon thawing, you can freeze cooled gravy in a sealed, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To prevent large ice crystals and separation, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface before sealing the container.
• Reheating: To reheat, transfer the thickened gravy to a saucepan and whisk in 2–4 tablespoons of fresh heavy cream or broth over low heat. Continue stirring gently until the gravy is smooth, warm throughout, and returns to its desired creamy consistency.

Easy Keto Sausage Gravy Recipe Faqs

Why is my Keto Sausage Gravy thin? The most common reasons are using too much liquid or not simmering long enough. Make sure to reduce the heat and let the gravy simmer gently for at least 5-8 minutes after adding the cream and cream cheese; this allows the dairy to reduce and thicken the mixture naturally.

Can I use almond milk instead of heavy cream? You can, but it is not recommended as the gravy will be much thinner and lose a lot of its richness. If you must use a non-dairy option, use full-fat canned coconut milk (not from a carton) and be prepared to thicken the gravy with a small amount of Xanthan Gum.

Can I make this with ground beef or turkey? Yes, you can! Substitute the ground pork with the same amount of ground beef or turkey. If using very lean meat, add 1-2 tablespoons of butter or bacon grease to the skillet before adding the cream cheese to ensure you have enough fat for a rich, creamy base.

How can I make this gravy even thicker without using flour? The best way to increase thickness is by stirring in an extra ounce or two of softened full-fat cream cheese until it’s fully melted. Alternatively, you can mix a tiny pinch (1/4 teaspoon) of Xanthan Gum into a small amount of cold heavy cream before whisking it into the hot gravy.

Is this Keto Sausage Gravy dairy-free? No, this traditional recipe is heavy on dairy (heavy cream and cream cheese). To make a dairy-free Keto gravy, you would need to substitute with full-fat canned coconut milk and use an unsweetened dairy-free butter substitute, likely requiring Xanthan Gum for thickening.

More Easy Keto Recipes

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