Bring the warmth of Southern comfort to your kitchen with Mom's Southern Tomato Gravy—a rich and savory classic that's perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even dinner. This flavorful recipe combines crispy bacon, a silky roux made from bacon grease and flour, creamy milk, and tangy canned diced tomatoes to create a luscious gravy that’s brimming with soul. Balanced with just a touch of sugar, salt, and black pepper, this tomato gravy is the epitome of homestyle cooking. Finished with crumbled bacon and optional butter for added indulgence, it's best served ladled generously over fluffy biscuits, steaming rice, or creamy grits. Ready in just 25 minutes, this versatile dish is a nostalgic nod to Southern traditions and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and set it aside on a plate lined with paper towels. Leave about 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease in the skillet.
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the all-purpose flour to the skillet with the bacon grease, whisking constantly to create a smooth roux. Cook the roux for about 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until it turns a light golden color and loses the raw flour taste.
Gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Once the milk is fully incorporated, stir in the canned diced tomatoes (with their juice).
Add the sugar, salt, and black pepper to the mixture. Stir well to combine and bring the gravy to a gentle simmer.
Cook the tomato gravy for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency.
If desired, stir in the optional tablespoon of unsalted butter for extra richness.
Crumble the cooked bacon and either stir it into the gravy or use it as a garnish on top.
Serve the Southern Tomato Gravy warm over freshly baked biscuits, hot rice, or even grits. Enjoy!
Calories |
458 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 30.7 g | 39% | |
| Saturated Fat | 15.7 g | 78% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 92 mg | 31% | |
| Sodium | 1813 mg | 79% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 24.0 g | 9% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.7 g | 2% | |
| Total Sugars | 11.8 g | ||
| Protein | 20.6 g | 41% | |
| Vitamin D | 3.0 mcg | 15% | |
| Calcium | 314 mg | 24% | |
| Iron | 1.3 mg | 7% | |
| Potassium | 559 mg | 12% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.