By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 14, 2026
Serves 4
122 cal · 35 min
Southern Tomato Gravy
Recipe GLPR00c402b5bcd75a
A creamy, savory Southern staple made with fresh ripe tomatoes, sautéed aromatic vegetables, and a silky milk-based sauce. Perfect served over warm biscuits, toast, or creamy mashed potatoes for a comforting meal.
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Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
3 large ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1 cup milk
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
Directions
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly golden, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Sprinkle the flour over the onion and garlic mixture, stirring constantly to coat evenly and cook out the raw flour taste, about 1 minute.
Add the chopped tomatoes, stirring well to combine with the flour mixture. Simmer over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have broken down slightly and the flavors have melded.
Pour in the milk slowly while stirring constantly to avoid lumps, creating a smooth, creamy sauce.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer gently for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gravy reaches your desired consistency and is heated through.
Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve warm over biscuits, toast, or mashed potatoes.
Comments
Every ingredient is a staple at any Charlotte-area grocery chain, with no special stops required. At roughly $1.50 to $2 per serving, this is genuinely cheap—butter and flour do the work here, with tomatoes as the only variable cost depending on season. The 35-minute stated time is honest for simmering the gravy, though you're looking at closer to 40 minutes if you're dicing the onion and garlic from scratch. This reheats perfectly, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or meal prep, and a family of four gets a proper Southern comfort-food side that works with biscuits, rice, or mashed potatoes.
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