Skip to content
Afoodrink logo
Creamed Chipped Beef: creamed chipped beef on toast — Breakfast recipe | AfoodrinkBreakfast

Creamed Chipped Beef

Creamed chipped beef is a cozy, old-fashioned dish made with thin slices of dried beef in a simple white gravy. Serve it over toast, biscuits, potatoes, or eggs for a hearty breakfast or quick supper.

Total time
25 min
Yield
4 servings
Difficulty
Easy

Prep 10mCook 15mAmericanBreakfast

Creamed chipped beef is a classic American comfort dish with pantry-friendly roots. It is made by stirring chopped dried beef into a creamy white sauce, then spooning it over toast or another simple base.

You may know it as “SOS,” especially if it was served in a military or diner-style setting. This home version is salty, creamy, and quick, with a few small steps that keep the sauce smooth instead of pasty.

Because dried beef is already cooked and seasoned, the main job is making a good roux. A roux is just butter and flour cooked together to thicken a sauce.

01What you'll need

Ingredients

9 items · 4 servings

  • 4 ounces dried chipped beef, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk, warmed slightly if possible
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder, optional
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper or paprika, optional
  • Toast, biscuits, English muffins, hash browns, or baked potatoes, for serving
  • Chopped parsley or chives, for serving, optional

02How to make it

Step-by-step

  1. 1. Rinse the beef if needed

    Taste a tiny piece of the dried beef. If it is very salty, place the slices in a bowl, cover with warm water for 2 to 3 minutes, then drain and pat dry. This quick soak softens the saltiness without removing all the flavor.

  2. 2. Chop the beef

    Stack the slices and cut them into bite-size strips or small squares. Set them near the stove so they are ready to stir into the sauce.

  3. 3. Melt the butter

    Place a medium skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the butter and let it melt until foamy, but do not let it brown.

  4. 4. Cook the roux

    Sprinkle the flour over the melted butter. Whisk or stir constantly for 1 to 2 minutes, until the mixture looks smooth and slightly bubbly. This cooks off the raw flour taste.

  5. 5. Add the milk slowly

    Pour in the milk a little at a time while whisking. Start with a small splash to loosen the roux, then gradually add the rest. Whisking as you pour helps prevent lumps.

  6. 6. Simmer until thick

    Keep the sauce over medium heat and stir often for 3 to 5 minutes, until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. If it starts to bubble hard, lower the heat so the milk does not scorch.

  7. 7. Stir in the beef

    Add the chopped dried beef, black pepper, and the optional garlic powder and cayenne or paprika. Simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes, until the beef is hot and the sauce has picked up its flavor.

  8. 8. Taste and serve

    Taste the sauce before adding any salt. Most dried beef is salty enough on its own. Spoon the creamed chipped beef over toast, biscuits, potatoes, or eggs, and finish with parsley or chives if you like.

03From our kitchen

Cook's tips

  • Make-ahead: You can make the sauce up to 2 days ahead. Cool it quickly, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and reheat gently on the stove.
  • Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. Because this is a milk-based sauce, do not leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
  • Reheating: Warm over low heat and stir often. Add a splash of milk if the sauce is too thick after chilling.
  • Salt control: Dried beef brands vary a lot. Always taste before salting, and rinse the beef briefly if it tastes too salty straight from the package.
  • Milk swaps: Whole milk gives the creamiest texture, but 2% milk works. Avoid skim milk if you can, because the sauce may taste thin.
  • Meat swaps: If you cannot find dried chipped beef, use finely chopped deli roast beef or ham. The flavor will be different, and you may need to add a small pinch of salt or Worcestershire sauce.

Cook's note

Look for dried beef in small jars or vacuum packs near canned meats, shelf-stable meats, or the deli section. Some versions are very salty, so the quick rinse is not just optional for many home cooks; it can make the dish more balanced.

04Frequently asked

Questions & answers

What is chipped beef?

Chipped beef is dried, salted beef that is sliced very thin. It is fully cooked and has a concentrated savory flavor. In this recipe, it seasons the cream sauce as it heats.

Why is my cream sauce lumpy?

Lumps usually happen when milk is added too fast or the roux is not stirred well. To fix it, whisk firmly while the sauce is hot. For stubborn lumps, strain the sauce before adding the beef.

Can I freeze creamed chipped beef?

Freezing is not ideal because milk-based sauces can separate and turn grainy when thawed. If you do freeze it, reheat gently and whisk in a little fresh milk to bring it back together.

What do you serve with creamed chipped beef?

Toast is the classic choice, but biscuits, English muffins, hash browns, scrambled eggs, rice, or baked potatoes all work well. A simple green salad or fruit on the side helps balance the richness.

Can I make it less rich?

Yes. Use 2% milk and serve a smaller amount over extra toast or potatoes. You can also add sautéed mushrooms or peas to stretch the sauce and lighten each serving.

05Per serving

Nutrition facts

Nutrition Facts

4 servings

Amount per serving

Calories231

% Daily Value*

Total Fat14 g
18%
Saturated Fat7.7 g
39%
Cholesterol53 mg
18%
Sodium107 mg
5%
Total Carbohydrate13 g
5%
Dietary Fiber0.4 g
1%
Total Sugars6.6 g
Protein12 g
25%
Vitamin D1.7 mcg
9%
Calcium154 mg
12%
Iron1.2 mg
7%
Potassium265 mg
6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Values are estimated from the ingredient list; actual amounts vary with brands, portion sizes, and substitutions.

05Keep cooking

You might also like

Simple Muffins: muffin — Breakfast recipeBreakfast

Simple Muffins

These tender, plain muffins are easy to mix by hand and ready in about 30 minutes. Keep them classic with vanilla, or fold in berries, chocolate chips, or chopped nuts.

30m12 muffinsEasy
Baked Donut Recipe: easy baked donuts with glaze — Breakfast recipeBreakfast

Baked Donut Recipe

These soft baked donuts are made in a donut pan, so there is no frying oil to manage. A quick vanilla glaze gives them the classic donut-shop finish at home.

30m12 donutsEasy
Dutch Baby Pancake: oven baked pancake in cast iron skillet — Breakfast recipeBreakfast

Dutch Baby Pancake

This puffed oven pancake is crisp at the edges, tender in the middle, and made from a simple blender batter. Serve it hot with lemon, powdered sugar, berries, or maple syrup for an easy breakfast that feels special.

30mServes 2–4Easy
Sourdough Pancakes: sourdough discard pancakes — Breakfast recipeBreakfast

Sourdough Pancakes

These soft, lightly tangy sourdough pancakes are a smart way to use sourdough discard. The batter comes together in one bowl and cooks into fluffy, golden pancakes with crisp edges.

30m4 servingsEasy