Travel back to simpler times with Creamed Chipped Beef! A cherished classic, this heartwarming dish is a velvety cream sauce with tender bits of dried chipped beef.
Poured generously over crisp toast, every bite offers a delightful contrast of textures and a rush of comforting flavors. Creamed chipped beef on toast is a breakfast staple for many and a reminiscent treat for others.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Homemade Creamed Chipped Beef
Creamed chipped beef is a vintage recipe and the quintessential comfort food for breakfast or lunch. This is a nostalgic dish that will happily take you back in time.
What Is Chipped Beef?
Chipped beef is beef that has been salted, dried, and pressed into thin slices. During the mid-19th century, it was an important source of shelf-stable protein for travelers.
Creamed chipped beef is chipped beef added to a cream sauce. It's traditionally served over toast and was made popular in the early 20th century by the U.S. military for its ability to literally feed an army!
It also earned the nickname SOS, a rather unpleasant anagram which you can read about SOS here if you are curious!
Why You Should Try This Best Creamed Chipped Beef Recipe
This recipe for creamed chipped beef gives you a hearty, stick-to-your-ribs meal that your whole family will love. If you need a fast, easy, inexpensive, and kid-friendly meal for those busy school nights, this creamed chipped beef recipe fills the bill!
This delicious and satisfying comfort food can be made in minutes. It also goes a long way on a cold day!
Do you have leftover bread, especially the heels no one wants to eat? Turn them into toast and serve your creamed chipped beef over them.
Ingredients You Will Need
Created with common kitchen ingredients, this is an easy recipe anyone can make. Here is your ingredient list:
- Dried beef - you can use the Buddig Beef packages if you desire
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
- Black pepper
- Texas toast or other toast
Ingredient Notes
You can use any dried beef for this recipe. Chipped beef can also be found labeled "dried beef" in small glass jars next to other canned meats.
For extra creaminess, use half and half instead of milk.
How to Make Creamed Chipped Beef
A recipe doesn't get much easier than this one. Here are the basic steps.
- Cut the dried beef into strips, rinse, and pat dry.
- Melt the butter, add the flour, and stir for about 1 minute.
- Add the milk and whisk constantly until the gravy thickens.
- Add the pepper and stir in the meat.
- Serve over toasted Texas Toast.
How to Serve Homemade Creamed Chipped Beef
The traditional way to serve this recipe for creamed chipped beef is over toast. You need sturdy bread that can cope with the heavy topping. Some ideas are Texas Toast, sourdough, brioche, warm buttermilk biscuits, or English muffins.
Homemade creamed chipped beef also pairs well with mashed potatoes, hash browns, or fried eggs.
Try it with peas, carrots, and some sliced mushrooms.
Sauté some tomatoes and onion and add them to the beef
Add some cheese – any cheese that melts well, such as cheddar or smoked gouda.
It tastes great with a cold beer!
How to Store Leftover Cream Chipped Beef
Refrigerating: Leftover creamed chipped beef gravy can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. However, don't store it over toast, or you'll end up with a soggy mush!
Reheating leftovers: To reheat leftovers, add milk and heat on the stovetop over low heat.
Freezing the roux for make ahead: The bechamel sauce, the base for this chipped beef on toast recipe, freezes well. Make up a batch of sauce (minus the meat), pour into an ice cube tray, and freeze. Transfer the frozen cubes to a zip-lock bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating frozen sauce: When ready to use, place the frozen cubes in a skillet over medium heat. Once thawed and thickened, add in the chipped beef along with seasonings.
More Budget Friendly Recipes to Try
Creamed Chipped Beef
Ingredients
- 4 to 6 ounces dried beef cut into strips
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 6 to 8 slices Texas toast
Instructions
- Rinse the meat and pat dry with paper towels. (This meat can be very salty.)
- Melt the butter in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute or until fragrant like pie crust. Add the milk and continue stirring until the sauce thickens. Add the black pepper and dried beef and mix well.
- Toast the Texas toast slices and serve topped with the creamed chipped beef.
Leave a Reply