Description
Chipped Beef on Toast is a classic comfort food featuring tender ribbons of dried beef in a creamy, savory white sauce, served over toasted thick bread slices. This nostalgic dish combines simple pantry ingredients to create a rich, flavorful meal that’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a quick dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Creamed Chipped Beef
- 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
For Serving
- 6 slices thick sliced bread, toasted
- Freshly minced parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Melt Butter and Cook Beef: Melt the unsalted butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the roughly cut dried beef ribbons and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef darkens in color and begins to crisp, releasing its flavors.
- Add Flour and Spices: Stir in the all-purpose flour, black pepper, salt (if using), cayenne pepper (if using), and ground nutmeg. Cook the mixture while stirring continuously for about 2 minutes until it turns golden and fragrant, helping create the roux base for the sauce.
- Whisk in Milk and Thicken: Gradually pour in the room temperature milk while whisking to avoid lumps. Continue whisking and cooking the mixture for about 5 minutes until it begins to simmer and thickens to a creamy consistency thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat once thickened.
- Toast Bread: While the sauce thickens, toast the thick sliced bread slices until golden and crisp to provide a sturdy base for the sauce.
- Assemble and Serve: Place 1-2 slices of toasted bread on a plate and generously ladle the creamed chipped beef sauce over them. Garnish with freshly minced parsley if desired, and serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Leftovers: Store any leftover creamed chipped beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently to avoid curdling.
- Variations: Double the amount of dried beef for a meatier, heartier sauce.
- Optional Garnish: Fresh parsley adds a bright, fresh note but can be omitted.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximate)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
