The Simple Ingredient Swap To Take Your Sausage Gravy To The Next Level

There are a few meals that are quintessentially Southern: fried chicken, grits, and biscuits and gravy. The role biscuits and gravy play in the South is so significant that Our Balanced Bowl compares it to pasta in Italy. They indicate that recipes for biscuits and gravy are often passed down through the generations likening the recipes' evolution to an art form.

A classic sausage gravy recipe calls for ground pork, butter, flour, salt, pepper, and whole milk, according to Taste of Home. And of course, warm biscuits, whether homemade or store-bought. One reason that Southerners have such a deep affection for biscuits and gravy is because it is a one-pan meal, claims Taste of Home. It also isn't labor intensive, which is so important when you want to eat a hearty breakfast and get to enjoying your day. Different kinds of pans can be used to make the sausage gravy, but Southern Living recommends using a cast iron skillet because of its versatility. 

However, the next time you make sausage gravy, why not surprise your tastebuds by cooking an updated version of this classic breakfast dish?

Fantabulosity suggests using chorizo sausage instead of ground pork to give the gravy a little more heat. Not only is it suitable for biscuits, but Fantabulosity says the chorizo gravy can be spooned over potatoes, breakfast burritos, scrambled eggs, or country-fried steak. Mexican chorizo is made from raw pork and seasoned with chili powder or pieces of chili peppers, as well as garlic and other seasonings, per AllRecipes. In contrast, chorizo from the Iberian Peninsula is dried and cured like salami, according to The Spruce Eats. 

In addition to livening up the flavor of sausage gravy, chorizo also brightens the color, giving it a red-orange hue thanks to the chili powder it contains. If you find chorizo a little too spicy for your palate, simply cut the amount used to suit your tolerance level. Or, if you want to add even a little more heat, consider making jalapeño biscuits with a chorizo gravy. You may not even need that morning cup of coffee after this spicy, delicious breakfast gets you kickstarted for the day!