Creamed Chipped Beef

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Old-fashioned Creamed Chipped Beef on toast, also known as S.O.S, is a hearty budget-friendly meal idea that uses a lot of items you already have in the pantry. If you are looking for an easy dinner idea that the whole family will love, and that works as breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this is one to bookmark.

Old-fashioned Creamed Chipped Beef on toast in a sheet pan

Creamed Chipped Beef is a time-tested old-fashioned recipe whose base starts with a thick and hearty Bechamel type of sauce and is completed with salty pieces of dried beef.

❤Here’s Why This Recipe Works

This recipe works because:

It's easy to make
Budget-friendly
And it's delicious

🥘Ingredients

Unsalted butter - this is an extremely salty dish due to the beef. Make sure the butter is unsalted.
Dried beef - either in the jar or from the deli.
Heavy whipping cream - use this in lieu of regular milk. It really makes the sauce thick and creamy.
Instead of heavy whipping cream or regular milk, feel free to sub half and half.

🔪Instructions

Prepare the sauce - you will be basically making a roux.
Add in the dried beef or leftover meat.
Ladle over toast or biscuits.
Enjoy!

📖Variations

Normally, it's served over toast, however, I suggest using thick toast such as Texas Toast. You can also serve it over biscuits.

Instead of the dried beef, you can also use hamburger or leftover ham.

🥫Storage

You can store it in an airtight container for up to four days in the fridge. But honestly, there probably won't be leftovers.

I don't recommend freezing any leftovers. Since it really doesn't take that long, it's actually really easy and quick to make.

⭐Top Tips

You must have equal parts flour and fat (unsalted butter).
Either cut or tear the dried beef into pieces.
Rinse the dried beef if you get it out of a can or jar.

❔FAQ

When Did Creamed Chipped Beef Originate?

This nostalgic recipe with a creamy, gravy type of sauce, became a staple in the early 20th century. It was originally featured in the 1910 Manual for Army Cooks. It became a hit in the military because "it could feed an army".

How Can I Make Dried Beef Less Salty?

You can make the beef less salty by rinsing it with water. I've also discovered that by using deli meat, like Budding's Beef, it's less salty to being with.

What Is Another Name for Chipped Beef?

The funny thing about this recipe is how people refer to it. Over the years you may have heard it also referred to as S.O.S or Shit on a Shingle. Sorry about that, but that's what it has been called.

Does the Army still Serve SOS?

Yes, it's believed that they still do. Make sure to check out this post about Military Comfort Food for more information.

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📖 Recipe

Four slices of texas toast topped with creamy chipped beef

Creamed Chipped Beef

Old-fashioned Creamed Chipped Beef on toast, also known as S.O.S, is a hearty budget-friendly meal idea that uses a lot of items you already have in the pantry. This classic stick to your ribs dish is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Course Breakfast, Old-Fashioned

Cuisine American

Servings

Equipment

Knife
cutting board
Skillet

Ingredients

½ cup unsalted butter
½ cup all-purpose flour scooped and leveled with a knife
2 ½ cup heavy whipping cream half and half or regular milk
1 ⅓ cup water (Only if you are soaking the dried beef)
2.25 oz jar of dried beef or good deli meat such as Budding's Beef Lunch Meat
½ teaspoon black pepper
8 slices toast, Texas toast, or biscuits

Instructions

If you are using dried beef out of a jar/can, make sure to rinse the beef. That helps with its saltiness of it. To soak, use a small bowl and add in the water and the dried beef. Let it soak in the water for 10 - 15 minutes. Then drain and set aside.
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the unsalted butter. Once the butter has melted, add in the all-purpose flour and let the mixture cook for one minute.
Next, slowly pour in the milk (or half and half or heavy whipping cream. Whisk the ingredients together thoroughly. Whisk continuously until the mixture thickens. It will take about five minutes for the sauce to thicken. Remember, you are basically making a roux.
Cut or chop all of the dried beef and then add it to the bechamel sauce. Stir the dried beef into the sauce and let the mixture cook for 3 to 5 minutes.
While the creamy beef mixture is heating, make the toast.
When the sauce has been heated thoroughly, ladle it over the toast and serve.