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Creamed Chipped Beef and Toast

 

Creamed chipped beef and Toast or S.O.S. is a recipe originating in our nation’s military. It became popular outside the military as those who had served craved the dish once home and considered a comfort food by many.

Although not all former servicemen remembered it with fondness considering how much they had to eat the very economical meal. Those original recipe variations could have been as much as 3 times a day for those away on ships having to ration food.

Officially called creamed chipped beef, it is also more commonly referred to as S.O.S. (excuse the language…shit on a shingle) and remains a popular dish today.

This popular military dish of sos gravy may have been prepared differently depending on which branch of the military it was being served. The navy found the dried beef essential because a canned meat was shelf stable.

The army cooks might used ground beef instead mixed with the creamy white gravy since they had easier access to fresh supplies.

There are some who also consider sausage gravy to be called creamed chipped beef. Anyways, from mess halls to home cooks, let’s talk about how to make the best creamed chipped beef.

How to make Chipped Beef

Creamed Chipped Beef gravy over toasted bread slices. Shit on a shingle. What to serve with chipped beef on toast? BEST chipped beef recipe!

What is creamed chipped beef made of? Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 4 tablespoons of Butter (half a stick)
  • 1/3 cup of Flour (all purpose flour)
  • 3 cups of Whole Milk
  • Cracked Black Pepper, to taste
  • Dried Beef, sliced
  • Toasted Texas Toast Bread Slices ( regular white bread slices or biscuits or mashed potatoes)

I get a lot of questions asking if you can use Buddig beef (like you get in the refrigerated deli section) and of course the answer is yes, if that is what you want to use.

I like to use the class dried beef that comes in the little glass jar that you find in the canned meats section of your local grocery store.

Optional ingredients from comments that I’ve received that you might like: mushrooms, peas, a dash of Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, or whatever you might like to add for an easy meal.

Shit on a Shingle meal

Favorite Comfort Foods

Jar of dried beef to add to a cream sauce

Chipped Beef

Dried Beef Slices

The dried beef slices are small rounds before chopping into smaller pieces. Some folks like to soak the slices in warm water prior to chopping to remove some of the excess salt.

Personally, I do not soak the beef and think it adds the required salt needed for the creamy white gravy so no additional salt is need in the recipe.

If you decide to soak it, use a paper towel to blot dry before slicing.

Creamy Beef Gravy

chopped beef

Give the dried beef a rough chop into bite sized small pieces or thin slices and set aside until needed for the cream sauce.

Melting butter in a sauce pan
Heat a large skillet or medium saucepan over medium heat and add the butter to the pan to melt butter.
Roux
When the butter is melted and begins to bubble, add the flour and mix to combine. This makes a roux. Raise the cooking heat to medium-high heat and simmer the roux for two to three minutes to cook away the raw flour taste.
 
Be sure to incorporate the flour well into the melted butter so that there aren’t any lumps in your creamy white sauce for your creamed beef gravy.

Dried Beef Gravy

homemade chipped beef gravy
Next, add the milk and stir or whisk to combine. This makes a white sauce known as Béchamel. Continue to stir the creamy white gravy until it begins to bubble slightly and thickens.
 
Add the cracked black pepper, however much you like, and the chipped beef to the white sauce and simmer three to five minutes more, stirring constantly, until thickened and the beef is heated through. The creamy sauce is ready to serve.

SOS Gravy

Beef gravy and toast - favorite breakfasts foods
Serve the creamy beef gravy over toasted bread (the shingles). I like to use slices of Texas Toast, which really makes this a hearty meal. If preferred, serve your creamed chipped beef gravy over mashed potatoes, biscuits, noodles or hashbrowns (hash browns).
 
Creamed Chipped Beef & Toast - S.O.S.

Above is one of the original photos when I first published this post. I decided to give it a makeover and had a new photoshoot to get better pictures to share in this recipe that is so loved by many.

Creamed Chipped Beef with Dried Beef

Where do you buy dried beef? Dried beef can typically be found at your local grocery store in small glass jars where you find other canned meats.

Cooks Note: No salt was added to the recipe because the dried beef contains enough salt to flavor the dish.

Let’s make a batch of Creamed Chipped Beef & Toast – S.O.S.

Yield: 6 Servings

Homemade Creamed Chipped Beef & Toast Recipe

Simple creamed chipped beef over toasted bread

Classic creamed chipped beef and toast is a hearty gravy made with dried beef. It is often referred to as SOS. This vintage recipe may be served over toast, biscuits, potatoes and sometimes pasta.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons Butter
  • 1/3 cup All Purpose Flour
  • 3 cups Whole Milk
  • Cracked Black Pepper, to taste
  • 4.5 ounce Dried Beef, sliced
  • Toasted Texas Toast Bread Slices

Instructions

  1. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the butter.
  2. When the butter is melted and begins to bubble add the flour and mix to combine.
  3. Simmer the roux for 2-3 minutes to cook away the raw flour taste.
  4. Next, add the milk and stir or whisk to combine.
  5. Add cracked black pepper and the chipped beef to the white sauce and simmer 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened.
  6. Serve over toasted bread (shingles) , biscuits, or hashbrowns.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 237Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 768mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 1gSugar: 7gProtein: 12g
 

Q & A with Tips for making Creamed Chipped Beef and Toast

What to serve with creamed chipped beef and toast? The creamed chipped beef is usually served on toasted bread as a meal. You could also serve it along with fresh fruit, fruit salad, bacon, sausage, or eggs prepared to your liking.

How long does creamed chipped beef last in the refrigerator? Up to 4 days or you can freeze the meat gravy to re-heat another time.

Why is dried beef so expensive? I’m not really sure but I’ve heard from many that the cost is much higher than it used to be. I would think that might have something to do with the way that it is cured. The cost of dried beef is also why some folks opt for using hamburger, which is cheaper, and humbly nicknamed “poor man’s chipped beef”.

Be sure to serve the creamed chipped beef while it is hot and delicious. You can still find this old timey meal at favorite breakfasts places in South Carolina beach towns. This has always been one of the best recipes to fill hungry tummies on a tight grocery budget.

Other variations that have been shared with me for making chipped beef gravy: 

  • Some use cream of mushroom rather than making a white sauce from scratch
  • Other meats that folks use also include chopped bologna, ground poultry (chicken or turkey), venison and Vienna sausages.
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Thank you so much for stopping by! I am so happy that you did. I hope that you make a batch of this nostalgic creamy beef gravy soon to enjoy as a delicious meal. It was one of my late mother in laws favorite meals for an easy supper.

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Until next time, Friend, love and happy cooking!

Simple creamed chipped beef over toasted bread
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Ronda

Sunday 10th of March 2024

It's absolutely not SOS, but, that being said, it looks delicious and great directions. This one's a keeper!!

Cindee

Tuesday 5th of March 2024

My Mom made it for lunch with my kids only see just used a can of peas.mine never tasted as good as hers maybe because she made it!!!!

Mary myers

Saturday 10th of February 2024

I grew up with this sauce made even more economical … just eggs. My parents called it “Creamed eggs on toast”. As an adult I now add tuna and put it over biscuits. One of my favorite meals!

Debbie

Thursday 8th of February 2024

Easy and delicious! Thank you for the recipe!

Diane

Wednesday 24th of January 2024

Love this!! Can I make it the night before and then reheat, will it be just as good? Thank You

Julia Jordan

Saturday 27th of January 2024

Hi, thank you! Yes, you can re-heat it no problem. Enjoy!

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