Hot flaky biscuits with creamy turkey gravy are ready in no time. You only need five ingredients and 15 minutes to make this family friendly southern staple.
Jump to RecipeWe grew up on biscuits and gravy here in the south. It was the traditional weekend breakfast. It’s truly our favorite breakfast to eat and make because of its simplicity. Only a few simple ingredients are needed and we had them in our pantry at all times.
Recently I wanted to try something new and make this with turkey sausage instead of regular sausage. I had some reservations in mind. I wondered if it would be just as flavorful or taste the same. Turns out, it was just as good if not better! I'm confident this is the best turkey sausage gravy recipe.
The turkey biscuits and gravy recipe can be made ahead and reheated before school or work on a week day. On the other hand, if you’re into breakfast for dinner this is a great idea for a cozy night in.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love Ground Turkey Gravy and Biscuits
- Where did Biscuits and Gravy Come From?
- What You Need to Make Turkey Gravy and Biscuits
- How is Turkey Sausage Different Than Pork Sausage?
- What Are The Best Biscuits To Use?
- Is There a Dairy Free Option?
- How The Turkey Sausage Gravy and Biscuits Are Made
- What to Eat with Turkey Gravy and Biscuits
- Tips and Tricks to Making The BEST Turkey Gravy and Biscuits
- Best EVER Turkey Gravy and Biscuits
Why You'll Love Ground Turkey Gravy and Biscuits
- Very few ingredients are required to make this tasty ground turkey gravy recipe with biscuits
- You only need 15 minutes total time to make everything, there is almost no prep time
- Make ahead of time for a busy work week or freeze for long term storage
- It's family friendly, everyone is going to love this cozy breakfast
- Turkey sausage is used instead of regular sausage which means lower fat content for those heart-conscious readers
Where did Biscuits and Gravy Come From?
Many sources say biscuits and gravy may go back as far as the Revolutionary War. Others believe it originated in southern Appalachia in the late 1800’s. Biscuits and gravy were cheap and calorie packed for the laborers in the area. This made for an ideal way to start the day.
Around this time biscuits were a lot different than they are now. We’re used to the light, fluffy, buttery biscuits we can either make homemade or buy from the store for easy prep. Toward the beginning of the 1800’s biscuits were more dense since baking powder and baking soda were not readily available. It took vigorous beating and folding to get a desirable texture. Over time this got easier with the help from technology and baking ingredients being more available to homes.
What You Need to Make Turkey Gravy and Biscuits
- Ground Turkey Breakfast Sausage - make sure to get ground turkey sausage, the fat content in the turkey sausage is what helps create the roux to get a thick delicious gravy. Stay away from lean ground turkey that doesn't say sausage on it. You'll miss out on flavor and the fat it takes to make a nice gravy.
- 1 16oz can refrigerated biscuits - you can make your own but I find that prepared biscuits are the most convenient option for busy weekday mornings or making ahead on the weekends
- All Purpose Flour - used to thicken the gravy and create a roux with the fat from the turkey sausage
- 2 cups Milk - regular or dairy free will work fine in this recipe
- Salt and Ground Black Pepper - the staple seasoning ingredients for the turkey gravy and biscuits
How is Turkey Sausage Different Than Pork Sausage?
Turkey sausage is a great alternative to pork sausage. The flavors are similar and turkey sausage is wonderful in this turkey gravy and biscuits recipe. However, there are some key differences to note.
Turkey sausage is lower in saturated fat and salt compared to pork sausage. This is appealing to those on a heart-conscious diet who still want to enjoy sausage with their biscuits and gravy. It’s also lower on calories and still packs a lot of protein making it a great choice for this turkey gravy and biscuits recipe.
Consequently, the sausage is slightly different in texture, it’s a little less juicy and has a more mild flavor. I don’t find this to be a problem in the gravy at all. Because, turkey is a more lean meat, enough fat is added to get a nice roux to form when you’re cooking. Because it can be a little more dry, I recommend that you break the meat apart earlier. As the turkey cooks it can be a little more challenging to break apart.
You can find turkey sausage raw or pre-cooked. The pre-cooked options will not work well for this recipe at all. Choose raw so you can cook the lean ground sausage from scratch.
What Are The Best Biscuits To Use?
This turkey sausage biscuits and gravy recipe calls for a can of refrigerated biscuits. More specifically, I suggest you use flaky biscuits because they’re my favorite and this is the variety we would eat most often. However, when it comes to the best biscuits to use for this recipe, I suggest using your favorite. If that means your grandma’s homemade recipe, go for it! If it consists of a can of southern homestyle, you should use those instead.
I tend to gravitate more toward refrigerated canned biscuits because they can sit in your refrigerator for a while. Some sources even say they can be kept a few weeks to a month after the expiration date. Plus they can be used for a variety of different things like chicken pot pie for example. You can even stock up and throw the canned biscuits in the freezer for long term storage. Plus they’re so easy to make and are done in just minutes.
Homemade buttermilk biscuits are a great option if you have the time. When you make homemade biscuits you don't have to worry about all the extra added and artificial ingredients. Plus nothing tastes the same as the homemade version. You may have everything to make these in your pantry already. These will bring comfort food to a whole new level.
Is There a Dairy Free Option?
If you're looking for a dairy free version of this turkey gravy and biscuits recipe, I have one for you. We have made this with regular milk and with dairy free milk before and it tastes great either way. We personally love the turkey sausage gravy with almond milk. You can hardly tell the difference between the two. Again, this is a great option if you're looking for creative ways to lower calories, fat, and cholesterol in your diet. It’s also perfect for those who are lactose intolerant.
To make the turkey gravy and biscuits dairy free simply substitute the 2 cups of milk for 2 cups of non-dairy milk. Make sure the non-dairy milk you’re using is unsweetened and doesn’t have any added flavors before using. You can try this with almond, oat, soy, cashew, rice, quinoa milk and more. If you try a non-dairy version of this let me know how it is!
How The Turkey Sausage Gravy and Biscuits Are Made
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place biscuits on an un-greased baking sheet 1-2 inches apart. Bake for 13-16 minutes or until golden brown. When done, remove from the oven and set aside.
- While the biscuits are baking heat a skillet over medium heat and add the turkey sausage. Break apart the sausage using a spatula, flip and cook until all is cooked and there is no more pink.
- Stir in 1/4 cup flour and mix until the flour is coating the sausage and the pan juices are soaked up. Stir around for a couple of minutes until the flour smells nutty and begins to turn light brown. Slowly stir in 2 cups of milk and season with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring frequently, for about 3-5 minutes or until the milk thickens into a gravy. Remove from heat.
- Place the cooked biscuit(s) onto a plate, break in half and pour the turkey gravy over biscuits. Serve warm.
What to Eat with Turkey Gravy and Biscuits
Ground turkey gravy and biscuits is the ultimate breakfast, it is perfect served on its own. However, with holidays right around the corner, family may be coming into town and you may find yourself hosting a breakfast. If that's you, I highly recommend the following delicious breakfast recipes to serve alongside this turkey gravy and biscuits recipe!
Refreshing Watermelon Smoothie
Multi-Colored Watermelon Salad
The Best Waffles Without Milk
Avocado Toast with Egg and Bacon
Tips and Tricks to Making The BEST Turkey Gravy and Biscuits
While this ground turkey biscuits and gravy is super easy to make, it’s almost fail proof but I have a few tips and tricks you can implement to make sure your healthy breakfast gravy and biscuits come out looking and tasting delicious!
When you're cooking the turkey sausage, be sure to break the sausage into small pieces. Start breaking apart while the sausage is still pink. Because turkey can be more dry than pork this gets a little more difficult to do than with pork.
Make sure your flour is completely mixed with the sausage before adding the milk. In other words you want to make sure you don’t still see white flour in the pan. It should also absorb the remaining oil in the pan. Doing this will keep your gravy from clumping and ensure you have a nice, smooth, but thick gravy!
Avoid doughy or chalky flour by letting it cook for a couple minutes in the pan after it’s been stirred in. You're looking for a nutty smell. Once you get this you’re ready to add in the milk.
Best EVER Turkey Gravy and Biscuits
Ingredients
- 16 oz ground turkey breakfast sausage
- 1 16 oz can refrigerated flaky biscuits
- 1/4 cup Flour
- 2 cups Milk
- Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place biscuits on an un-greased baking sheet 1-2 inches apart. Bake for 13-16 minutes or until golden brown. When done, remove from the oven and set aside.
- While the biscuits are baking heat a skillet over medium heat and add the turkey sausage. Break apart the sausage using a spatula, flip and cook until all is cooked and there is no more pink.
- Stir in 1/4 cup flour and mix until the flour is coating the sausage and the pan juices are soaked up. Stir around for a couple of minutes until the flour smells nutty. Slowly stir in 2 cups of milk and season with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring frequently, for about 3-5 minutes or until the milk thickens into a gravy. Remove from heat.
- Place the cooked biscuit(s) onto a plate, break in half and pour the turkey sausage gravy over top. Serve warm.
Leave a Reply