The Best Breakfast Gravy: How to Make Shrimp Gravy Like a Pro

A warm plate of biscuits smothered in gravy is a classic southern treat. Have you ever tried shrimp gravy? This Southern-inspired dish combines classic breakfast gravy with plump shrimp for a delicious twist. Serve this shrimp gravy over biscuits, grits or toast, an absolute must try!

Love breakfast and brunch as much as I do? Make these Old Fashioned Buttermilk Biscuits, Maple Candied Bacon or Cajun Fish and Grits.

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WHAT IS BREAKFAST GRAVY?

What is Southern Gravy

Southern gravy is a traditional dish served mostly in the south. This breakfast gravy consists of a flour, butter and milk based "sauce" that is typically cooked with ground pork sausage.

This gravy is served mostly over biscuits but can be served over grits and even toast. There are a few variations of this gravy, some may call it sawmill gravy, sausage gravy or country gravy.

Breakfast Gravy vs. Shrimp Gravy

In this recipe, we will use similar base ingredients to build and cook the roux. To give this traditional gravy a new look, we are adding shrimp (and even crab) for a seafood twist!

The taste will be similar but with slight differences. For instance, the gravy will not be as spicy since we are not using traditional spicy ground pork. Also, we are adding a few veggies (onion and green pepper) to give the gravy a bit more texture.

Same great flavor but with a seafood flair!

INGREDIENTS FOR THE PERFECT BREAKFAST GRAVY

Key Ingredients to Prepare Shrimp Gravy

1. Shallot. Shallot pairs well with this shrimp gravy. You can use yellow or white onion as well.
2. Green Pepper. You can omit this ingredient but it's perfect for this savory dish.
3. Garlic. Garlic paste or fresh minced garlic.
4. Butter. Unsalted works best for this recipe to control the overall sodium/salt flavor in the shrimp gravy.
5. Oil. EVOO will be used to sauté the veggies first before building the breakfast gravy.
6. Flour. All purpose flour works fine to build the thickness of the gravy.
7. White Wine. Pinot Grigio or a mild white wine works best. Will be used to deglaze the pan before building the final stages of the shrimp gravy.
8. Stock. Chicken, vegetable or seafood stock will be used (as needed) to adjust the thickness or thinness of the breakfast gravy.
9. Shrimp. Fresh, medium sized peeled and deveined shrimp.
10. Crab. I had leftover crab from another recipe so decided to use it in this recipe, this ingredient is optional.
11. Cajun Seasoning. Use your favorite cajun seasoning such the one linked here or Old Bay are classic for cajun style recipes.
12. Green Onion. For garnish and to finish the gravy, we are adding a small amount of chopped green onion.
13. Parsley. The final herb and ingredient used to finish the gravy and garnish this delicious recipe.

HOW TO MAKE SHRIMP GRAVY FROM SCRATCH

Prep the Ingredients

First, begin by preparing the ingredients first before preparing this breakfast gravy. This recipe cooks fast so you will not want to chop vegetables and cook at the same time. With that said, roughly chop the shallot, green pepper, garlic, green onion and parsley.

Then, prepare the shrimp by removing the shells, deveining if necessary and roughly chopping the shrimp. It is important to note, I left 2-3 shrimp whole only for plating purposes but it does add a layer of depth and aesthetics to the recipe.

Build the Gravy

Now in a medium sized pan or sauce pot, drizzle the pan with cooking oil. Then, add shallot, green bell pepper and garlic and sauté until soft and slightly translucent. Next, sprinkle in the flour and sliced butter and using a whisk, begin to cook the roux, allowing the flour to cook off.

After the flour has cooked off, pour in the wine to deglaze the pan and allow the wine to cook off, about 20-30 seconds. The gravy will become slightly lumpy so continue to stir being careful not to burn.

At this instance, pour the stock into the pan and continue to whisk. Pour in small amounts at a time (around ¼ cup) until desired consistency is reached. This step will take about 3-5 minutes as the breakfast gravy will begin to form.

Add Shrimp and Finish Shrimp Gravy

Now, add the shrimp to the gravy and add the cajun seasoning. Transition to a wooden spoon (preferably) and carefully fold in the shrimp (and crab if applicable) to begin cooking the shrimp.

The shrimp will take no longer than 3-5 minutes to cook. When the shrimp is cooked through and desired consistency of the gravy is reached, the shrimp gravy is ready to be served.

If you would like to now sauté the whole shrimp that will be added on top of your breakfast gravy with shrimp, turn the gravy temperature to a low simmer and sauté the whole shrimp, seasoning with extra cajun seasoning.

Now that the gravy is complete add the chopped green onion and parsley and give one final stir. Adjust seasonings to your taste and serve immediately over biscuits, gravy or toast and enjoy!

HOW TO SERVE BREAKFAST GRAVY

Shrimp Gravy over Biscuits

As shown in this recipe post, serve this delicious and rich shrimp gravy over biscuits. I have linked my old fashioned buttermilk biscuit recipe throughout this post but pre-made biscuits will work too!

Simply pour the shrimp gravy over the biscuits and serve immediately.

Pair Breakfast Gravy with Grits

This breakfast gravy has many uses. Pair this shrimp gravy over creamy/savory grits. Simply prepare your grits according to package instructions and pour warm gravy over the grits.

Additional Ideas for Serving Breakfast Gravy

For brunch, serve this shrimp gravy with toast, rice, hash-browns or even with a breakfast platter as a side or sauce and let your family and/or guests decide how to pair the gravy.

This gravy is delicious of fluffy scrambled eggs as well!

VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

1. Add sausage. Stay close to traditional sausage gravy and add ground sausage with the shrimp to this gravy.
2. Add bacon drippings. Instead of building the beginning stages of the gravy with olive oil, use bacon dripping for an elevated taste. I will absolutely try this step next time.
3. Mushrooms. Sautéed shiitake mushrooms or portobello mushrooms for extra flavor or substitute for meat protein.
4. Substitue shrimp. Substitute shrimp with other seafood options such as fish, crab, crawfish and also remember crab is a great option!

FAQ's ABOUT BREAKFAST AND SHRIMP GRAVY

1. What is breakfast gravy made of? Southern style breakfast gravy is made with a flour, butter and milk as the base or roux.
2. Can I use frozen shrimp? Yes, be sure to thaw the shrimp first and pat dry before sautéing.
3. Can I make shrimp gravy ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare this gravy ahead of time. Be sure to reheat in a pot and add up to ¼ cup of stock to bring the gravy back to desired consistency.
4. Best practices for perfect gravy consistency.
   • If gravy is too thin, add in a flour and water mixture, also called a slurry. Start with equal parts (around 1 tablespoon each) of flour and milk or water.
   • Gravy is too thick? Simply pour stock to the gravy to make it less thick. Start by adding around one to two tablespoons, no more than ¼ cup.
5. How to store breakfast gravy with shrimp.
   • Store shrimp gravy in an airtight container, being careful to allow the gravy to come to room temperature before storing it in the refrigerator. This gravy will last for up to 3 days.
   • To reheat, simply add stored breakfast gravy into a sauce pot and add a bit of stock to break the gravy apart. Stir constantly as it reheats, serve over desired base!

THANKS FOR TRYING THIS BREAKFAST GRAVY RECIPE, I HOPE YOU ENJOY IT!

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