Southern Tomato Gravy Recipe (Old-Fashioned Country Tomato Gravy)

Tomato gravy is one of those old-fashioned Southern recipes that proves you don’t need anything fancy to put a memorable meal on the table. Made with canned diced tomatoes, bacon drippings, flour, and water, it’s a simple country gravy that’s been passed down through generations. Spoon it over hot buttermilk biscuits, and you’ve got a comforting breakfast, supper, or “breakfast for supper” that feels like home.

Growing up in the South, recipes like this weren’t written down nearly as often as they were shared across the kitchen table. Every family seemed to make tomato gravy a little differently. Some kept it chunky, others stirred in a little milk for a creamier gravy, and everyone was convinced their mama’s recipe was the best. I reckon they were all right.

If you’ve never had Southern tomato gravy before, don’t let the name fool you. This isn’t pasta sauce or tomato soup. It’s a rich, savory gravy with sweet, tangy tomatoes and just enough richness to make it perfect for soaking into a warm, flaky biscuit. It’s one of those humble recipes that reminds us some of the very best Southern meals come from the simplest pantry staples. My husband loves it over his white rice.

Whether you’re carrying on a family tradition or trying tomato gravy for the very first time, I hope this recipe finds a place at your table. Grab a skillet, save those bacon drippings, and let’s make a little Southern comfort together.

What Is Southern Tomato Gravy?

Southern tomato gravy is an old-fashioned country gravy made by combining bacon drippings, flour, tomatoes, and water into a rich, savory sauce. Some cooks use broth, milk, or cream instead of water, depending on their family’s tradition.

This humble Southern recipe has been a favorite for generations, especially during the summer when gardens are overflowing with fresh tomatoes. Home cooks found a delicious way to stretch simple pantry ingredients into a hearty meal, often serving tomato gravy over hot buttermilk biscuits for breakfast or as an easy supper.

If you’ve never tried it before, don’t expect pasta sauce or tomato soup. Southern tomato gravy is perfectly seasoned with just the right balance of savory richness and fresh tomato flavor. It’s classic comfort food that proves some of the best Southern recipes come from the simplest ingredients.

Is Tomato Gravy A Southern Thing?

It certainly is! Tomato gravy has long been a staple in Southern kitchens, where home cooks have a knack for turning simple ingredients into something downright delicious. While you’ll find different versions across the country, the savory tomato gravy served over hot biscuits is deeply rooted in Southern cooking, with variations found throughout the South and Appalachia.

Like so many beloved Southern recipes, tomato gravy reflects the resourcefulness of generations of home cooks. During the summer months, home gardens often produced more tomatoes than families knew what to do with. Combined with bacon drippings, flour, and water, those tomatoes became a rich, comforting gravy that could stretch a meal and feed a hungry family.

Every Southern cook seems to have their own version. Some recipes call for peeled fresh tomatoes, while others use canned tomatoes when garden tomatoes aren’t in season. A few families even stir in crumbled bacon or a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity. No matter how it’s made, one thing remains the same—it’s a timeless comfort food that’s been bringing families to the table for generations.

One last thought…

One thing you’ll quickly discover if you ask a room full of Southern cooks about tomato gravy is that everyone has an opinion! Some folks will tell you that adding milk or cream has no place in authentic tomato gravy, while others wouldn’t think of making it any other way. My recipe is made the way I enjoy it—with tomatoes, bacon drippings, and water (or chicken stock if I feel inclined)—but honey, if you’d like to stir in a little milk or cream to make it extra creamy, you go right ahead. That’s the beauty of Southern cooking. Every family has their own traditions, and there’s plenty of room for both versions around the table.

Helpful Tools To Prepare This Recipe

• Large skillet
• Whisk
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons

Why You’ll Love This Southern Tomato Gravy Recipe

• A true Southern classic. This old-fashioned tomato gravy recipe has been enjoyed around Southern tables for generations and is just as comforting today as it was decades ago.
• Simple, everyday ingredients. With fresh tomatoes or canned tomatoes, bacon drippings, flour, water, and a few pantry staples, you can create a flavorful meal without a long shopping list.
• Ready in about 30 minutes. It’s an easy recipe that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even a quick weeknight supper.
• Perfect over warm biscuits. There’s nothing quite like spooning savory tomato gravy over a hot, flaky buttermilk biscuit fresh from the oven.
• Easy to customize. Make it a little spicier, add crumbled bacon, use fresh tomatoes when they’re in season, or add a splash of cream if that’s how your family likes it.
• Pure Southern comfort food. Every bite is rich, savory, and full of the nostalgic flavors that make Southern cooking so special.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Bacon – a few slices of bacon to render those delicious drippings, which will add a ton of flavor to the tomato gravy. Sausage is also a popular option if you prefer that.
• Flour – all-purpose flour will work just fine in this gravy recipe.
• Organic Diced Tomatoes – canned diced tomatoes with their juices. You can use fresh, ripe tomatoes if you have them on hand.
• Water – Yes, water! Granny would side-eye anyone using milk, broth, or cream, but you can use those too if you are feeling fancy.
• Kosher Salt
• Cracked Black Pepper

For an optional garnish, add sliced green onion and a couple of small cherry tomatoes to make it pretty, if you like.

Y’all will notice the seasoning is very simple with just salt and pepper, and that is intentional. If you want to add other seasonings to suit your own tastes, then by all means, please do.

How to Make Southern Tomato Gravy

Okay y’all, let’s go step by step through the process for making tomato gravy. It is so easy!

Begin by frying up those bacon slices in a large skillet over medium-low heat. You want to render all of those drippings without burning the bacon. Once the bacon is crispy and has done its job, transfer the bacon slices to a paper towel-lined plate and set them aside.

Next, add some flour to those bacon drippings and stir to combine. This creates a roux, the thickening base for the gravy. Allow the flour mixture to cook a minute or two to get the raw flour taste out.

The next step is to add those diced tomatoes with the juices to the roux and stir to combine. This is gonna become really thick pretty quickly. Add the water to the skillet and stir to combine with the other ingredients.

Simmer the gravy for a few minutes to thicken, then season with the salt and pepper. Continue simmering until the gravy reaches the consistency you like. The gravy will continue to thicken as it cools, so keep that in mind.

Remove the skillet from the heat and allow it to cool a few minutes.

Julia’s Tips for the Best Tomato Gravy

• Start with bacon drippings. They add the rich, smoky flavor that gives Southern tomato gravy its signature taste. If you don’t already have some on hand, fry a few slices of bacon first and save the drippings for the gravy.
• Use good-quality tomatoes. I prefer canned diced tomatoes for this recipe because they’re convenient, consistent, and packed with their flavorful juices. Fresh, ripe tomatoes are certainly an option when they’re in season.
• Don’t rush the roux. Cook the bacon drippings and flour together for a minute or two before adding the tomatoes. This helps remove the raw flour taste and creates a smooth, flavorful gravy.
• Stir frequently. Once you add the tomatoes and water, stir often as the gravy simmers to keep everything smooth and prevent it from sticking to the skillet.
• Season at the end. Tomatoes naturally vary in sweetness and acidity, so wait until the gravy has simmered before tasting and adjusting the salt, pepper, or sugar (if using).
• Aim for biscuit-worthy consistency. The gravy should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but still pour easily over warm buttermilk biscuits. If it gets too thick, simply stir in a splash of water until it reaches the consistency you like.
• Serve it hot. Southern tomato gravy is at its very best fresh from the skillet, ladled generously over hot biscuits while it’s still warm and savory.

Variations

One of the things I love most about Southern cooking is that every family has their own way of making a favorite recipe. Tomato gravy is no exception! Here are a few delicious ways to make it your own.

• Use Fresh or Canned Tomatoes

  Fresh, garden-ripe tomatoes are wonderful during the summer, but I actually prefer canned diced tomatoes for this gravy because they’re convenient, consistent, and packed in flavorful juices. Either will make a delicious tomato gravy.

• Add Crumbled Bacon

  If you’ve cooked bacon for the drippings, save a slice or two to crumble into the gravy before serving for even more smoky flavor.

• Make It Extra Creamy

  If you prefer a creamier tomato gravy, replace some of the water with milk or half-and-half, or stir in a splash of heavy cream toward the end of cooking.

• Turn Up the Heat

  Add a pinch of cayenne pepper, a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce, or a little crushed red pepper for a spicy kick.

• Make It Heartier

  Serve the gravy over homemade buttermilk biscuits with sausage patties, country ham, fried pork chops, or scrambled eggs for a hearty Southern meal any time of day.

What to Serve with Southern Tomato Gravy

• Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits
• Cooked White Rice – this is my husband’s favorite with tomato gravy.
• Fried potatoes
• Eggs
• Country Ham
• Grits
• Meatloaf – skip the glaze and cover with tomato gravy!
• Hamburger Steaks
• Sausage Patties
• Pork Chops

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

If you happen to have any tomato gravy left over, it stores surprisingly well and tastes just as comforting the next day.

Refrigerator

Allow the gravy to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

Freezer

You can freeze Southern tomato gravy. Let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, leaving a little room for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Please note if you add dairy to your tomato gravy, the texture may change slightly after thawing. 

Reheating

For the best texture, reheat the gravy slowly in a skillet or saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. If the gravy has thickened in the refrigerator, simply whisk in a splash of water, milk, or chicken broth until it reaches your desired consistency.

You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until warmed through.

Julia’s Tip: Tomato gravy naturally thickens as it cools, so don’t be surprised if it seems much thicker the next day. A little milk, chicken broth, or water and a gentle stir will bring it right back to its smooth, pourable consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Printable Recipe Card

Below you will find the printable recipe card for Southern Tomato Gravy!

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Southern Tomato Gravy Recipe (Old-Fashioned Country Tomato Gravy)

There’s something special about recipes like Southern tomato gravy. They remind us that some of the most comforting meals don’t come from fancy ingredients or complicated techniques—they come from making the most of what you have and sharing it with the people you love.

Whether you serve this tomato gravy over fluffy buttermilk biscuits for breakfast, alongside eggs and bacon, or even as a simple supper on a busy weeknight, I hope it brings a little taste of Southern comfort to your table. It’s one of those timeless recipes that’s stood the test of time for good reason.

If you give this Southern Tomato Gravy recipe a try, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave me a comment below and let me know if your family has their own special way of making tomato gravy. I always enjoy hearing the stories and traditions that make Southern cooking so special.

Happy Cooking, Friends!

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