I Made Dolly Parton’s Recipe for Milk Gravy and It’s the Only Way to Eat Biscuits for Breakfast

When it comes to Southern comfort food at breakfast time, you can’t go wrong with the classic combination of biscuits and gravy. And when Southern country music star, philanthropist and all-around living legend Dolly Parton shares a recipe for milk gravy, you know it’ll be good.

Once you’ve tried this milk gravy, you’ll want to come back for more of Dolly’s favorite Southern recipes.

How to Make Milk Gravy Like Dolly Parton

Susan Bronson for Taste of Home, Getty Images

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2-1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• Buttermilk biscuits and sausage patties, to serve

Directions

Step 1: Combine the dry ingredients

Susan Bronson for Taste of Home

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, dried thyme and black pepper.

Step 2: Add the wet ingredients

Susan Bronson for Taste of Home

Whisk in the whole milk and heavy cream. Continue to stir until the mixture is smooth.

Step 3: Cook the gravy

Susan Bronson for Taste of Home

Pour the mixture into a skillet or large sauce pot and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook, whisking continuously, for 2 minutes or until the gravy has thickened. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Step 4: Serve it up

Serve over freshly baked biscuits and sausage patties.

Here’s What I Thought

Susan Bronson for Taste of Home

This Dolly Parton milk gravy recipe is another winner, just like her recipes for chicken and dumplings, cinnamon bread, 5-layer casserole and butterscotch pie. It takes mere minutes to whip up, and it tastes delicious.

I served the savory milk gravy smothered over flaky buttermilk biscuits with a couple of sausage patties on the side, just like Dolly does when making this special breakfast to share with her husband, Carl. Make sure your biscuits are generously sized, as you will want to use them to sop up all the gravy goodness.

Tips for Making Milk Gravy

How to make gravy in advance

When you’re workin’ 9 to 5, making freshly baked biscuits and gravy first thing in the morning isn’t always possible. However, you can make this gravy in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days before using it. When reheating, bring to a simmer over low heat on the stovetop. Whisk in a little milk if the gravy is too thick.

How to store leftover gravy

In addition to refrigerating leftover gravy for a few days, you can also freeze leftover gravy. Once cooled, spoon the gravy into airtight freezer containers. Use the gravy within four to six months of freezing for best results.

How to make gravy without milk

If you can’t tolerate milk, you can use non-dairy milk instead. The most common non-dairy milk substitution in gravy recipes is unsweetened almond milk. It won’t taste quite the same as Dolly’s, but it’ll work.