If you’re craving a classic diner-style comfort food, this Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast Recipe is an absolute winner. It’s creamy, savory, and one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug on a plate. I remember the first time I whipped this up—it was so easy and quick, but the flavors were rich and totally irresistible. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through the whole process so your creamed chipped beef comes out silky and perfectly seasoned every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple and Quick: You can have this comforting meal on the table in just 30 minutes.
- Classic Comfort Food: It’s nostalgic and familiar, perfect for chilly days or anytime you want a hearty treat.
- Customizable Flavors: You can tweak the seasoning for mild or spicy according to your mood.
- Great for Leftovers: The sauce keeps well, so you can enjoy this dish again the next day with ease.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients here are straightforward, and it’s amazing how these few pantry staples come together to create something so flavorful. The key is using good quality dried beef and fresh milk to get that creamy texture just right.
- Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness in the dish perfectly.
- Dried Beef: Look for a good-quality jar of chipped beef; it’s the star of the dish, providing that salty, savory punch.
- All-purpose Flour: This thickens the gravy to that luscious, creamy consistency we all love.
- Black Pepper: Adds warmth and a subtle kick without overpowering the sauce.
- Salt (Optional): Since dried beef is salty, add salt cautiously to avoid oversalting.
- Cayenne Pepper (Optional): For those who like a bit of heat, a pinch wakes up the flavors nicely.
- Ground Nutmeg: You’ll be surprised how much this little addition enhances the creaminess.
- Milk: Room temperature milk prevents lumps and helps the sauce thicken smoothly.
- Thick Sliced Bread: Choose sturdy bread like sourdough or Texas toast to hold up under that rich sauce.
Variations
I love how flexible this Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast Recipe is. Depending on what’s in your pantry or your taste preferences, there’s room to make it your own. Here are some variations I’ve tried that you might want to explore.
- Extra Meaty: I sometimes double up the dried beef for a richer, meat-forward sauce that my family adores.
- Spicy Kick: Adding a teaspoon of hot sauce or more cayenne pepper gives it just the right heat without overpowering the creaminess.
- Dairy Alternative: If you prefer, you can swap regular milk with unsweetened almond milk, just note it won’t be as thick.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour or cornstarch for thickening, and gluten-free bread to keep it friendly for all diets.
How to Make Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast Recipe
Step 1: Crisp the Chipped Beef in Butter
Start by melting your butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Once it’s melted and slightly bubbling, add the dried, roughly cut beef. Cook it for 2 to 3 minutes until it darkens and begins to crisp. This step develops flavor and gives the sauce that signature meaty depth. Don’t rush it—letting the beef get a little crispy is what makes this dish stand out.
Step 2: Whisk in the Flour and Spices
Sprinkle in the all-purpose flour, black pepper, salt (if using), cayenne pepper, and nutmeg. Stir constantly for about 2 minutes, letting the mixture cook until it turns golden and fragrant. This forms the roux base to thicken your sauce, so don’t skip stirring—it prevents lumps and brings everything together beautifully.
Step 3: Slowly Add Milk and Thicken
Pour in the room temperature milk gradually while whisking continuously. Keep whisking for about 5 minutes until the sauce starts to simmer and thickens so well it coats the back of a spoon. This long whisking helps avoid lumps and makes the sauce creamy and velvety. As you whisk, you’ll see the transformation—it’s pretty satisfying!
Step 4: Toast and Serve
While your sauce is thickening, toast your thick bread slices until golden and sturdy. Spoon generous amounts of that luscious creamed chipped beef on top. You can garnish with freshly minced parsley if you like a pop of color and fresh flavor (I usually do!). Serve hot and get ready to dig in.
Pro Tips for Making Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast Recipe
- Use Room Temperature Milk: Adding cold milk can cause lumps; room temperature helps everything blend smoothly.
- Don’t Skip the Whisking: Constant whisking is the secret to a silky sauce without clumps.
- Toast Thick Bread: Thin bread can get soggy too quickly, so choose sturdy slices for best results.
- Be Cautious with Salt: The dried beef is already salty, so add salt gradually to avoid oversalting your sauce.
How to Serve Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a big fan of fresh parsley sprinkled over the top — it adds just the right touch of freshness and a hint of color that makes this hearty dish look as great as it tastes. Some days I also add a little freshly cracked black pepper for an extra kick.
Side Dishes
Since this is a rich dish, I like to serve it with something light and fresh like a crisp green salad or some steamed green beans. Occasionally, roasted asparagus or a side of pickled vegetables adds a nice contrast to all that creamy goodness.
Creative Ways to Present
For weekend brunches, I’ve served this creamed chipped beef in small ramekins alongside mini toasted crostinis as a fun finger food option. It’s also great served over baked potatoes instead of toast for a hearty twist that your guests will rave about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I always transfer any leftover creamed chipped beef into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It keeps well for up to two days, which is perfect if you want a quick reheat for lunch or dinner. Just give it a good stir before storing to cool evenly and prevent a skin from forming on top.
Freezing
I’ve frozen creamed chipped beef a few times when I made a double batch. It freezes nicely in a freezer-safe container for up to a month. When thawing, I recommend overnight in the fridge to keep the texture smooth and creamy.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm it in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently. You may need to add a splash of milk to loosen the sauce back up. Avoid microwaving straight from frozen as it can cause uneven heating and result in a grainy texture.
FAQs
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What exactly is creamed chipped beef?
Creamed chipped beef is a classic American dish made from dried, salted beef sliced into thin ribbons and served in a creamy white sauce, often over toasted bread. It’s simple, nostalgic, and very comforting.
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Can I use fresh beef instead of dried beef?
Fresh beef won’t give you the same salty, cured flavor that dried chipped beef provides. If you really want to try fresh beef, you’d need to cook it well and season it heavily, but it won’t taste quite like the traditional dish.
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Is this dish gluten-free?
Not as written, since it uses all-purpose flour and bread. However, you can make it gluten-free by substituting gluten-free flour or cornstarch for thickening, and choosing gluten-free bread for serving.
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How spicy is the cayenne pepper in this recipe?
The cayenne pepper is optional and only a small pinch, so it adds just a subtle warmth. You can leave it out entirely or increase it if you want more heat.
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Can I make this recipe vegan or vegetarian?
This dish depends on dried beef, so it’s not vegan or vegetarian. However, you can create a creamy sauce with mushrooms or plant-based meat substitutes to mimic a similar texture and flavor.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast Recipe turns out—it’s one of those comforting dishes that’s easy to make but feels truly special. Whether you’re making it for a nostalgic family meal or just want something hearty and satisfying after a busy day, this recipe won’t disappoint. Give it a try, and I promise it’ll become one of your go-to comfort foods, just like it did for me!
Print
Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
Chipped Beef on Toast is a classic American comfort food featuring tender dried beef ribbons cooked in a creamy white sauce seasoned with black pepper, cayenne, and nutmeg, served over toasted thick-sliced bread. This hearty dish is perfect for a quick and satisfying breakfast or brunch.
Ingredients
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1-2 (2.25-oz) jars dried beef, roughly cut into ribbons
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt (optional)
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Pinch ground nutmeg
- 2 cups milk, at room temperature
To Serve
- 6 slices thick sliced bread, toasted
- Freshly minced parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Melt Butter and Cook Beef: Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the roughly cut dried beef ribbons and cook for 2-3 minutes until they darken in color and become slightly crisp.
- Add Flour and Spices: Stir in the all-purpose flour, black pepper, salt (if using), cayenne pepper, and ground nutmeg. Cook the mixture, stirring constantly, until it turns golden and fragrant, about 2 minutes, to form a roux base for the sauce.
- Add Milk and Thicken Sauce: Gradually stir in the room-temperature milk while whisking continuously. Continue cooking and whisking for about 5 minutes until the sauce begins to simmer and thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, then remove the pan from heat.
- Toast Bread and Serve: Toast the thick slices of bread until golden and crisp. Place 1-2 slices on each serving plate and generously spoon the creamed chipped beef sauce over the top. Garnish with freshly minced parsley if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, stirring occasionally.
- For a meatier sauce, double the amount of dried beef used in the recipe.
- You can adjust the cayenne and black pepper quantities according to your spice preference.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (includes 2 slices toast with sauce)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 65mg