Tomato Gravy Recipe: How to Make Tomato Gravy

Southern tomato gravy is a versatile, simple sauce consisting of a roux (flour toasted in fat), diced tomatoes, a bit of liquid (milk or chicken broth), and bacon drippings for a salty punch. Unlike Italian-American gravy, which is closer to a classic tomato sauce, Southern tomato gravy has a roux base that makes it more like a mushroom or turkey gravy recipe.

There are plenty of famous Southern recipes for sauces, from rich, creamy sausage gravy to runnier, coffee-infused red-eye gravy; use lesser-known tomato gravy just as you would the others in breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Here are some ideas for introducing this condiment into your repertoire:

1. 1. Breakfast sandwiches: Layer tomato gravy onto buttermilk biscuits, then stack them high with fried eggs and sausage for brunch. Learn how to make easy biscuits from scratch.
2. 2. Grits: Creamy grits or polenta benefit from rich sauces like ragù or even the runny yolk of a fried egg. Next time, try adding tomato gravy; the mild-flavored grits will perfectly balance out the gravy’s smoky salinity. Use stone-ground grits for the best texture and flavor.
3. 3. Meatloaf: Meatloaf brushed with a layer of tomato gravy (instead of ketchup) has exquisite savoriness and depth. Serve the meatloaf alongside braised greens for freshness and keep extra gravy on the table; both the greens and the meat taste heavenly dipped into it. Check out Chef Thomas Keller’s recipe and guide to the different types of greens suitable for braising.
4. 4. Picnic sandwiches: Put tomato gravy on thick slices of bread and behold the flavorful boost it lends to cold cuts, shredded chicken or pork, or roast beef, along with cold lettuce and sliced tomato.
5. 5. Potatoes: Mashed potatoes doused in meat jus or brown gravy is classic. Tomato gravy is an equally delicious application here, though. The tangy, salty tomatoes will add extra brightness to the starchy potatoes. Elevate the dish with Chef Gordon Ramsay’s pomme purée (mashed potatoes) recipe.
6. 6. Southern staples: Slather cornbread with tomato gravy for a snack or enjoy it as a side dish for gumbo. Check out this list of popular Southern foods for more inspiration.
7. 7. Vegetarian pairings: Make a vegetarian version of tomato gravy and serve it drizzled over rice (or pasta), roasted vegetables, fried tofu, or french fries.

Tomato gravy is one of those one-pot, easy recipes that comes together simply and quickly—and it’s versatile enough that you can personalize the seasoning to make it your own.

1. 1. Use the tomatoes you have on hand. While fresh tomatoes work beautifully, you can make this dish out of season with canned tomatoes or leftover stewed tomatoes. Swap in green (underripe) tomatoes or acidic and sweet tomatillos for a more tangy flavor.
2. 2. Make it plant-based. Skip the bacon grease and use vegan butter or grapeseed oil for vegan gravy. (Vegetarians can also use unsalted butter.) Instead of the traditional chicken broth, use a flavorful vegetable or mushroom broth. If you like, add smoked paprika or liquid smoke to approximate the meaty smokiness of bacon.
3. 3. Make a thinner, smoother sauce. Use tomato juice in place of tomatoes for a closer consistency to red-eye gravy (a thin sauce consisting of ham fat deglazed with coffee).