Southern Tomato Gravy (Easy, Bacon-Rich & Biscuit-Ready)

Bacon-infused Tomato Gravy is a next-level savory Southern breakfast comfort--tangy, smoky, bursting with gorgeous tomato flavor. Made with a skillet full of bacon drippings and thickened just enough to cling to your biscuits, this gravy is rich, silky-smooth, and loaded with real-deal Southern flavor.

Delicious over buttermilk biscuits with a fried egg on the side, it's an irresistible comfort food breakfast.

If my Mississippi-born grandmother taught me anything, it's that comfort food is not just for dinner. Breakfast at her house was packed with so many Southern delights, including grits, bacon, and of course, tomatoes. With decades of home-cooked Southern breakfast experiences, I can assure you, this tomato gravy recipe is about as authentic and delicious as biscuits toppers go.

This breakfast delight is surprisingly easy to make, and all you need are a few ingredients.

Why This Recipe Works

Don't Skip the Bacon (It's Magical) | This tomato gravy recipe comes equipped with hearty, smoky bacon-forward vibes. Not only does this recipe begin with bacon, but it ends with it, too. The bacon grease infuses smoky, salty depth throughout the base of the gravy, but we bring it again at the end to amp up the texture and flavor. Plus, it adds all the breakfast vibes you could possibly want in a tomato gravy. Don't skip it!

Perfectly Balanced | You'll find the flavor perfectly balanced--tomato forward but zero pasta sauce vibes thanks to cream, chicken broth, and a touch of sugar.

Texture On Point | We use canned tomatoes since they are canned at peak season, making this gravy a delicious year-round delight. Crushed San Marzano tomatoes and a proper roux give this gravy the perfect silky consistency that clings to the biscuit just way it's supposed to.

For more gravies to love, try our Sawmill Gravy or Brown Gravy--two more staples every true Southerner has on their regular recipe rotation.

Tomato Gravy Ingredients

Bacon | This ingredient is absolutely essential in separating tomato gravy from an Italian-flavored sauce like marinara or pomodoro from a Southern superstar like tomato gravy. Thick-cut bacon is best!

Flour | Just like in a standard country gravy, all-purpose flour is a key ingredient for the roux. It helps to keep this tomato gravy silky smooth and the perfect consistency.

Tomatoes | This recipe uses crushed canned tomatoes. Crushed tomatoes will give you a smooth consistency without being too watery or overly chunky. If you can find them, go for the San Marzanos. This premium tomato variety is prized for its sweetness and low acidity, and it will make a huge difference in the quality and flavor of your tomato gravy. The only thing better would be a jar full of home-grown canned tomatoes.

For a spicy, Italian tomatoey-egg breakfast, Eggs in Purgatory has similar vibes as this tomato gravy but with a Sicilian spin.

Chicken Broth | This ingredient adds savory depth to the gravy and also mellows out the sauce from becoming too sharp and acidic from the canned tomatoes. Use low-sodium or unsalted chicken broth so you have complete control over the sodium level.

Heavy Cream | Similar to chicken broth, heavy whipping cream mellows out the acidity from the canned tomatoes but also adds deliciously rich vibes to the gravy.

Sugar + Spices | Sugar might seem like a strange ingredient when it comes to tomato gravy, but it doesn't make it sweet. It just helps round out that acidity from the tomatoes. The best recipes are all about balance! And of course, Kosher salt and black pepper are essential flavor enhancers.

Thyme | The thyme is mild, aromatic, and responsible for giving this gravy a subtle touch of garden-fresh flavor without overwhelming the sauce, rounding out its richness perfectly.

How to Make Tomato Gravy

Fry Bacon | Add the bacon to a large skillet over medium heat. Fry for about 4 minutes on each side, or until crispy and cooked to your liking. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.

Make the Gravy | Add the flour to the pan and whisk to combine, about 1 minute. Add the chicken broth, one big splash at a time, whisking well after each addition. Add the canned tomatoes, followed by the heavy cream, sugar, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine.

Simmer | Allow the mixture to come to a simmer. Then, reduce the heat to maintain a low, gentle simmer and stir in the thyme. Cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.

Top with Bacon | Crumble (or chop) the bacon into small pieces and stir to combine.

Serve + Enjoy! | Serve over biscuits and enjoy!

5 Ways to Serve Tomato Gravy

Tomato gravy is best served fresh and hot, and poured generously over your favorite Southern staples. If you have any leftovers, save them for topping off your other Southern favorties. Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to four days.

Classic Biscuits + Eggs | Serve over fluffy biscuits with scrambled eggs on the side. Talk about the perfect comfort breakfast—fluffy, buttery biscuits paired with soft, savory eggs for a hearty start to your day. Simple, satisfying, and Southern to the core!

Over Creamy Grits | Enjoy over cheese grits with a hearty slice of ham steak. Southern comfort on a plate--a warm, hearty classic that never goes out of style!

On White Rice or Cornbread | Some love it over fluffy white rice or homemade cornbread with extra bacon crumbled on top.

Ultimate Brunch Plate | Let it star in your next Southern brunch alongside drop biscuits, baked eggs, and millionaire bacon. Bonus points if you have a mimosa or Bloody Mary bar on the side.