One of my favorite comfort foods is creamed chip beef. And you won’t believe how easy it is to make it keto-friendly—all you have to do is change one ingredient! The flavor is the same as the regular version made with flour, and I serve it over scrambled eggs. It would also be great over keto biscuits.
Keto Chipped Beef Gravy is easy to make and only needs a few ingredients. It’s quick, so it’s great for busy mornings or when you want breakfast for dinner! You can also use the same method to make sausage gravy or hamburger gravy.
Yes, you can. I like to make it fresh because it only takes a few minutes, but you can freeze individual-sized portions if you want to make a lot at once for meal prep. You can use the microwave’s low setting to warm it up, but I like to let it thaw overnight in the fridge and then heat it up in a skillet. I can add more heavy cream if I need to and heat it slowly enough so the gravy doesn’t separate.
Yes, you can! I only used one package of chipped beef, but you can add more of everything and make as much as you want. If you are making it for a lot of people, you could brown the beef chips in butter and then put them in a slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients. Cook on low heat until you are ready to serve.
I purchase chipped beef in a bag that is found in the refrigerator section at the grocery store. That’s the brand I always buy, but make sure you only get the beef and not the beef with gravy that comes in a package.
I can’t find it in Tennessee, but they do have dried beef in a can. Even though I bought some while I was in Maryland, I haven’t tried that yet. I think it will work the same. You could taste it to see if it’s too salty. If it is, soak it in water for 10 minutes to get rid of the salt.
Creamed chipped beef is a comforting breakfast dish that many of us grew up eating. Also known as SOS (creamed beef on toast), it’s made by simmering chipped or dried beef in a creamy white gravy. But if you find yourself with leftovers, you may be wondering – can you freeze creamed chipped beef?
Yes, creamed chipped beef can be frozen and used later. It’s easy to make meals ahead of time, save time, and keep food from going to waste by freezing it. This whole guide will tell you everything you need to know about how to freeze creamed chipped beef, such as:
- Why freeze creamed chipped beef
- How to freeze creamed chipped beef
- Thawing and reheating creamed chipped beef
- How long it lasts in the freezer
- Tips for freezing creamed chipped beef successfully
So if you love creamed chipped beef, but don’t want to waste a single bite keep reading!
Why Freeze Creamed Chipped Beef?
There are a few good reasons why freezing creamed chipped beef can be useful
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Saves time. Making creamed chipped beef from scratch takes time. Freezing a batch means you can quickly reheat it for a fast breakfast later.
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Prevents waste. Leftover creamed chipped beef only keeps for 3-4 days in the fridge. Freezing it allows you to enjoy it weeks later.
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Meal preps. Making a double batch and freezing half means you’ll have ready-to-reheat portions handy all week long.
Freezing creamed chipped beef means you can enjoy this classic comfort food anytime without all the work.
How to Freeze Creamed Chipped Beef
Freezing creamed chipped beef is simple:
- Allow it to fully cool after cooking.
- Transfer to airtight containers or freezer bags.
- Remove as much air as possible.
- Label with contents and date.
- Freeze for up to 2 months.
The key is using proper freezer-safe storage to prevent freezer burn. Sturdy plastic containers or freezer bags designed for long-term storage work best.
Portioning the creamed chipped beef into single servings makes it easier to thaw just what you need later on.
Thawing and Reheating
To thaw frozen creamed chipped beef properly:
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Avoid thawing at room temperature or in the microwave.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Add a splash of cream or milk if needed to restore creaminess.
Microwaving can cause the sauce to curdle or separate. Low, gentle stovetop heat is best. Stir frequently and add a little extra cream as needed.
Thawed creamed chipped beef will keep for 3-4 days refrigerated. Reheat portions as needed during that time.
How Long Does it Last in the Freezer?
Properly stored, creamed chipped beef can last in the freezer for:
- 2-3 months in airtight packaging
- 1 month in freezer bags or less durable containers
For best quality and taste, aim to eat it within 2 months. Portioning into single servings prevents re-freezing and will extend its shelf life.
No matter what, don’t freeze creamed chipped beef for longer than 3 months. At that point, the texture and flavor really start to degrade.
Tips for Freezing Creamed Chipped Beef
Follow these tips for freezing creamed chipped beef successfully:
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Use heavy-duty freezer bags or plastic containers. This prevents freezer burn.
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Portion into single servings in bags or containers before freezing. This makes thawing easier.
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Allow to fully cool before freezing. Freezing when hot can cause texture issues.
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Press out all excess air from bags or containers. Air causes freezer burn.
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Label everything with contents and date before freezing. This prevents mystery blobs down the road.
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Store flat in freezer. This prevents damage from stacking.
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Once thawed, use within 3-4 days. Don’t refreeze thawed creamed chipped beef.
What’s the Best Way to Serve Frozen Creamed Chipped Beef?
There are a few good options for serving thawed frozen creamed chipped beef:
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On toast. The classic! Creamed chipped beef served over buttered toast is simple and delicious.
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With eggs. Spoon creamed chipped beef over a plate of scrambled or fried eggs. The runny yolks mix deliciously with the rich gravy.
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Over biscuits or muffins. For an easy breakfast sandwich, top halved biscuits or English muffins with creamed chipped beef.
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With vegetables. Creamed chipped beef makes a tasty sauce for cooked veggies like broccoli, cauliflower or Brussels sprouts.
Get creative with how you serve thawed creamed chipped beef! It’s extremely versatile and pairs well with eggs, biscuits, veggies and more.
Make Ahead and Freeze for Quick Breakfasts
Making a batch or two of creamed chipped beef on the weekend means easy breakfasts all week long. Simply thaw a portion overnight in the fridge and gently reheat in the morning.
Or for make-ahead freezer meal prep, assemble uncooked biscuits or English muffins along with a portion of creamed chipped beef in a freezer bag. When ready to eat, thaw overnight and bake the biscuits in the morning according to package directions. Then smother with the ready-to-eat creamed chipped beef.
With a freezer stash of creamed chipped beef, you’ll never have to scramble for breakfast again!
As you can see, freezing creamed chipped beef is simple and has some great advantages. It saves time, reduces waste, and allows you to enjoy this hearty classic anytime.
Use proper freezer bags or containers, portion into servings, remove excess air, and don’t freeze for more than 2-3 months for best quality and taste. Thaw gently in the fridge before reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave.
With a bit of planning, you can keep your freezer stocked with ready-to-heat creamed chipped beef. No more breakfast scrambling required!
Heavy Cream & Butter
Heavy Cream
To make this recipe work, I mixed heavy cream and water together. Heavy cream is the dairy milk that works best with ketones. You can, however, use any mix of heavy cream and whole milk, half-and-half, or low-fat milk you like. It’s important to remember that the cream makes it rich, so if you only use skim milk, it will taste and feel different. You also may need more thickening agent.
Some of the heavy cream can be swapped out for Greek yogurt, sour cream, or cream cheese, but the taste will be different.
If you are dairy-free, I would use a soy-based cream or milk. While you certainly could use coconut cream, it will change the flavor quite a bit.
Butter
I use salted butter to sauté the beef in, but you can use unsalted, if you prefer. You can also use bacon grease or olive oil or avocado oil if you are dairy free.
I use black pepper and some Worcestershire sauce to season the creamed chipped beef. The amount of Worcestershire sauce is so minimal, I dont worry about it not being fully keto. However, you can skip it if you want.
The chipped beef is already very salty, so I don’t add any salt to this dish. But if you think it needs it, feel free to add some. You can also add some onion powder or garlic powder if desired.
You can also add onion, green onions, or green bell pepper, cut into small pieces, to the chipped beef gravy. If you want it spicy, add a few slices of jalapeno peppers.
Since we arent using flour like in traditional creamed chip beef, we do have to thicken the gravy. To thicken the creamed chipped beef, I like to use xanthan gum, but there are many other ways to do it. You can simply use cream cheese, but the flavor will change. You can also use arrowroot or whatever thickening agent you like.
I like how simple xanthan gum is and how I can thicken things while they are cooking or afterward if I need to. Xanthan gum doesnt need to be heated to activate.
You can use a cornstarch slurry instead if you are not on the ketogenic diet but still need gluten-free options. You will probably need 1-2 Tablespoons of cornstarch mixed with 1 Tablespoon of warm water. Add it right after you add the cream and begin to warm everything up. You will have to heat the mixture to a nice simmer for it to thicken. You could try adding half of the slurry first to see if that works. If it’s not thick enough, you could add the other half.
What to Serve with Creamed Chip Beef
How you serve the creamed chip beef will depend on whether you are on a keto, gluten-free, or other diet.
Scrambled egg bowls is a great way to serve keto creamed chip beef. Whip up 1 egg and pour it into a preheated skillet with some butter. Let it sit on low heat covered while you make your keto chipped beef gravy.
Once the egg has set completely, flip it and remove from the heat. Keep covered to keep it warm.
Take the egg out of the fridge and put it in a bowl or ramikin. Then add the chipped beef gravy.
Many people pour their chipped beef over a chaffle. I have never made chaffles, but if you want to learn how to make them then here is a recipe by the Pioneer Woman: How to Make Chaffles I am sure she has an easy chaffle recipe.
You can also serve the chipped beef with these keto pancakes: The BEST Keto Pancakes Recipe
Personally, my favorite way to serve creamed chipped beef is over a toasted English Muffins or toast. Although the white sauce and beef are smooth, the crunch of the toasted bread goes so well with them.
Creamed Chipped Beef & Toast | Southern Living
FAQ
Can sos be frozen?
How long can you keep chipped beef in the fridge?
What’s the difference between dried beef and chipped beef?
Can you freeze SOS?
Can you use dried beef in creamed chipped beef?
Dried beef: The key ingredient to creamed chipped beef on toast is, of course, beef. While you can use any dried beef, even the canned varieties, we recommend Buddig beef—it’s cooked, comes chopped, and is not as salty as other brands of dried beef. Seasonings: Freshly ground black pepper is the only seasoning used in this recipe.
How do you store leftover cream chip beef?
Storage tips: Keep leftover cream chip beef in an airtight container for up to four days chilled in the refrigerator. Reheating tips: Reheat in a glass or porcelain container in the microwave, covered, starting at 30 seconds on high for ½ cup of leftover gravy.
How do you eat creamed chipped beef?
Creamed chipped beef is a classic meal of dried beef cooked in a roux of flour, butter, milk, salt, and pepper. It is generally served over toast. Rinse the dried beef in cold water and pat it dry. (Skip this step if using deli lunchmeat.) Roughly chop the beef into bite-size pieces. Set aside. Add the butter to a skillet over medium-high heat.
How do you reheat creamed chipped beef?
To reheat creamed chipped beef, you have a couple of options: Stovetop method: Transfer the creamed chipped beef to a saucepan or skillet. Heat it over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it is heated through. Be cautious not to let it boil, as it can cause the cream sauce to separate.