Tomato Gravy
Don’t be under the misconception that this is a heavy, fat-laden gravy. As my Granny would say, “They ain’t a thing in here that’ll hurt cha.” Well, there is a tablespoon of bacon grease. So, if you eat the whole skilletfull, you will have consumed a tablespoon of unhealthy saturated fat. It is my contention that if you eat a whole skilletfull of Tomato Gravy at one sitting, your problems might extend well beyond the tablespoon of unhealthy fat that you just consumed.
1 tablespoon bacon drippings
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes with their juice or an equal amount of fresh tomatoes.
2 cups water, chicken stock or milk
salt and pepper to taste
honey (or sugar), optional
You start by making a roux. My family didn’t call it a roux. They called it “browning your flour”. Heat one tbsp. bacon drippings and one tablespoon olive oil. Or, go on and use two tablespoons bacon drippings if you’d like. Add two tablespoons flour and stir constantly until floured starts to turn golden brown.
Add one pound diced fresh or canned tomatoes with their juice. Keep stirring until tomatoes and flour mixture are well incorporated.
Add liquid. You can add water , stock or milk. Chicken stock is good to use for folks who have a milk intolerance. Milk makes the gravy richer. Add as much as you need to achieve the desired consistency. I added about 2 cups. Keep stirring until the gravy is smooth. Taste for seasoning and adjust. If the tomatoes are acidic, add a little honey to balance along with salt and fresh ground black pepper. Good over meats or hot biscuits.
Sandy Rodriguez says
We would make ours with homemade tomato juice for a smoother gravy.Either way it is delish………
Jackie Garvin says
Sandy,
Using tomato juice is a great idea for folks who might have an aversion to the chunky texture. Thanks for sharing!
John Kline says
We did too as long as my Daddy had a garden and my Mama put up her own juice. The last few years of her life, she had to get used to bought juice and tomatoes.
Jackie Garvin says
There’s nothing like home grown tomatoes, John. Happy new Year!
heather street says
my aunt tookie made this all the time when we were kids….I always wonder how she made it…we had Ours with biscuits
making some this weekend for sure
Jackie Garvin says
Heather,
I hope you enjoy. Everybody needs an Aunt Tookie! ❤️
Mary says
Love tomato gravy. I’ve even poured it on bread.
Leslie says
my mom makes this and it is sooooo good! We always eat it over rice and serve it with fried chicken…she makes the gravy from some of the leftover fried chicken grease…YUM 🙂
Jackie Garvin says
Leslie,
You described a delicious meal! Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us! 🙂
Jolene Prine says
I made tomato gravy tonight for my Mississippi husband, it was a hit! He said it was as close to his ‘grandma’s’ as he’d ever get. Thank you!!
Jackie Garvin says
Jolene,
What a compliment! Thank you so much. I’m thrilled to know your husband enjoyed it. 🙂
Ellen says
Jackie
I was raised eating tomato gravy made like this. I can even make a meal on a cold winter night off nothing but tomato gravy and crackers.
Jackie Garvin says
Ellen,
There is something comforting about tomato gravy, no doubt. And, when you get right down to it, it just flat tastes good! Thanks for taking the time to read and comment! 🙂
John Kline says
We always had home made biscuits and bacon with it.
Jackie Garvin says
That’s the best way to eat, biscuits! Thanks for stopping by, John. 🙂
Elaine Faircloth says
We always made ours with Cube Steak and Rice or Mashed Potatoes, the way my Othermother taught me also onions…..Cube steak seasoned with S&P then dredge in flour and fry, remove steak and most of oil, saute onions, add flour, brown then add Fresh or Fresh Canned Tomatoes and couple jars of water, bring to boil then add steak back and simmer for 30 minutes and server over rice or mashed pots……….think I’m gonna have to make it soon,,,just made myself hungry..
Thanks for the reminder……..True Northwest Florida Southern Girl…
Jackie Garvin says
Elaine,
That’s very similar to Swiss Steak. I love it! Thanks for stopping by. 😉
Beth Brown says
I’ve been making tomato gravy for over 35 years. I’ve just always used bacon drippings & flour to make the roux and add salt & pepper during the browning process (to me – it makes a difference in the final outcome), diced tomatoes and then thinned it with water to get the right consistency. I will have to try the chicken broth. Our favorite way to eat this is over rice, but grits or biscuits follow it closely! Friends at church love it when I bring it to potluck lunches – never any leftovers!
Jackie Garvin says
Beth,
I like using chicken stock because it adds a little more flavor. Nothing beats good tomato gravy! 🙂
WANDA BAIR says
love tomato gravy, my Granny made it with milk, and buttermilk biscuits
Jackie Garvin says
Wanda,
Tomato gravy is wonderful made with milk! You have some wonderful food memories of your Granny. Thanks so much for sharing.
Welcome home! 🙂
Nancy Wheeler says
I am so happy to find your site!! It’s hard to find people other than family who cook like we do!! We have always made tomato gravy and you make it just like I do!! 🙂
Betty Hunt says
Are you from the same family as me???? 🙂
Jackie Garvin says
Betty,
Aren’t we all kin in the South? 🙂
Vicki Childress says
..and I thought my mom was the only one who knew about how delicious this was and how to make it! She and I also made toad in the hole for my baby sister.Oh hw your posts bring back memories!
Jackie Garvin says
Vicki,
Welcome home!
Gma Rudd says
Never made Tomato Gravy before, but my husband has expressed his desire for it for many years. It’s whats for dinner tonite!!! Making Cubed Steak to simmer in the tomato gravy. Will top over white rice! Thanks for sharing your great recipes!
Jackie Garvin says
Gma Rudd,
Your dinner sounds wonderful! Set a place for me! 🙂
alice ferguson says
so glad this was posted. My grandmother used to make this, on week-ends. I looked forward to to her house on Saturday morning knowing there would be tomatoe gravy it was so good. Im definitely gonna try this week end for my grand children. they love it when i make something from the past. I have 7 grandsons and 6 granddaughters and now 10 great grands. Saturdays are our day to get together for some memory making,
Suzan says
My mom & grandma made this with sliced hot dogs, or smoked sausages..put over mashed potstos or rice …We called it “weenie dish” as a kid..
Jackie Garvin says
Susan,
That’s sounds like a wonderful childhood memory. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Christie Colvin says
For many years we lived all over the country, wherever the Coast Guard sent us. On each visit home I always requested tomato gravy and biscuits. There’s something so comforting about it. We’ve retired and moved home but we still save it for special occasions.
Jackie Garvin says
Christie,
It’s a blessing to have a special dish that evokes a feeling of peace and comfort. For me, it’s fried okra. I always requested that from my grandmother.
Jessica Bittinger says
I’m new to trying to get recipes from your website. This may be the dumbest question ever asked but how do I get to the actual recipe?
Jackie Garvin says
Jessica
This is an old, old post that I need to update. It doesn’t display as well as the newer posts. Click on the button that says “read more” and it takes you to the recipe. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I will get it updated.
Karen Hearne Underwood says
I have never heard of tomato gravy and I live in NC. I was born and raised here. I can’t wait to try it though. It sounds delicious.
Jackie Garvin says
Tomato Gravy is a thing. A very delicious thing. I hope you like it, Karen.
Taris says
My grandmother & my mom made the best tomato gravy ever!
Unfortunately I lost my mom last year & my grandmother last month.
I was going through some of my grandmothers things when I came across this very recipe from your website printed out. My mom had printed it out & gave it to my grandmother years ago & she had saved it. Sadly I don’t have either one of their recipes for tomato gravy because I don’t believe they had one. I think they just whipped it up like they did most things they made.
But I made this recipe for the first time & it was delicious! I just thought I would share that with you. Thank you & God bless.
Jackie Garvin says
Oh my goodness, Taris! You’ve made my day, my week, my month, and possibly my year. God bless your sweet loving heart for telling the story of your Mama and Grandmother. You’ve had significant losses in a short period of time. I pray for peace and grace as you adjust to life without your loved ones. Thank you for letting us know of our connection to your loved ones.
Taris says
You are very welcome. I’m so glad I shared that with you.
Thank you so much for your kind words and your delicious recipes.
God Bless
Maria Glenn says
Always had tomato gravy aka “mator gravy” growing up. My mom would make it with some fried meat, fried tators and buttermilk biscuits. A meal fit for a king. It was always a treat. But I grew up eating it made with cornmeal not flour. I make it for my family now and they love it too.
Just found your blog and love reading your recipes. I can’t wait to try them.
Jackie Garvin says
Hi Maria! Welcome to Syrup and Biscuits. We’re so happy you found us.
Juju says
I have lived in the south all my life. I feel as if I’ve been cheated! I have never heard of tomato gravy, then again, I’ve never had chocolate gravy either!!!!
Jackie Garvin says
Juju,
You’ve got some catching up to do.