Home » Recipes » Dinner » Classic Chipped Beef on Toast Recipe (S.O.S)
Last night I randomly shared a pic of our dinner on Facebook. Wow, I love the interaction that followed! I asked what is it? You answered- Chipped Beef on Toast, Creamed Beef, SOS. YES, you all got it right! (My mom never actually said the words in the acronym- it was “Stuff on a Shingle” ;))
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This meal was a classic from my childhood. And as many of you mentioned it is a popular military meal from way back too. I can just tell from your comments, that this meal holds memories for many of you too. Interesting how food does that!
So here is the “recipe” for classic Chipped Beef on Toast. Now I know that this is not the most healthy meal- but it is fast, frugal and comfort food for sure!
Classic Chipped Beef on Toast Recipe
Classic Chipped Beef on Toast
This Chipped Beef on Toast recipe is classic comfort food. This frugal meal has roots in the military and usually stirs up nostalgia!
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Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Dinner, Frugal Meal
Ingredients
- Butter equal parts butter, flour, milk
- Flour equal parts butter, flour, milk
- Milk equal parts butter, flour, milk
- Pepper to taste
- Garlic Powder optional
- Corned Beef Deli Meat.
Instructions
First, create a simple gravy sauce by using aroux base. This basically means melt down 3-5 tablespoons of butter and add in equal parts flour and milk. Whisk until starts to thicken.
When that begins to thicken, you may need to add a little more milk to get the right consistency. At this point season to taste. I use pepper and a little garlic powder. I would not suggest adding salt since the meat is salty on it's own.
Now add in 3-4 packages of thin sliced Corned Beef cut in small squares. I use Buddig Meat from the packaged meat section of the grocery, very frugal!
Serve over toast!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
I chose to serve this with a powerhouse veggie- brussel sprouts (which are easy peasy in a rice and veggie steamer). But I have also heard that the traditional veggie with this meal is peas. Have you ever eaten SOS? Tell me your memories in the comments below!
Looking for another comfort food meal that is budget-friendly too. Check out another fam fave- Ground Beef Stroganoff.
Ground Beef Stroganoff Recipe
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Comments
Yes we had this, not often, but when mom or dad suggested it or were craving it from their youth (or dad from either youth or military service). I did & do like it, but I like to spruce it up just a bit by adding some finely diced onion to the butter b4 the flour to add a little flavor, then some other spices, either curry powder (not much, just a little for flavor), paprika, or tarragon are the different versions I use.
Also if I have when the craving hits, I slice up a few mushrooms & toss in to cook the last 5 minutes or so.
I also like using the thicker bread if I have some on hand when the mood strikes. (usually an Italian loaf from bakery section, or Sara Lee Artesano Bakery Bread, or even one of the store-brand “Texas garlic toast” pieces.
Yes, most of my ‘upgrades’ = more $ , kinda defeating the original purpose…. still.
We almost always had w/ peas & applesauce.
Thanks for sharing you connection to this recipe and your “upgrades”.
We had this every other Tuesday. A lot of times my dad made it because it was his favorite.
I love the stories behind this recipe. Thanks for sharing yours.
We had chipped beef on toast a lot while I was growing up. I’m over 75 and still love it and make it. Like it both on toast and on a baked potato. For our purposes, to save money, I buy Buddig corned beef (found in most sliced sausage sections) or one of their other sliced meats. Yummy!!
I love how this recipe is so tied to “memories”! And YES I always (and my mom did too) use Buddig meat. So budget friendly!
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FAQs
Chipped beef even found its way into the white gravy mixture with the future doughboys right before World War I. Soldiers and sailors eventually dubbed it “SOS” (“Save Our Souls” or “Same Old Slop” being the PG-rated translations) when served on a piece of toast.
What is the original SOS made of? ›
Made from chipped beef and a simple seasoned roux served over toast, it continues to be a favorite dish for sailors and an easy meal for Navy Culinary Specialists to make. Like other preserved foods, the key ingredient of SOS, chipped (or dried) beef, stored easily and kept well on Navy vessels.
What is SOS gravy made of? ›
Brown ground beef, onion and garlic until beef is cooked. Drain. Put hamburger back in skillet and add flour, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce and milk. Simmer until gravy thickens.
What is the difference between chipped beef and dried beef? ›
Dried beef, also called chipped beef, is beef that has been partially dried, salt-cured and thinly sliced. You can easily enjoy this cured meat as an appetizer, snack or meal. Dried beef has a rich past but is a relatively obscure meat product in most parts of the country today.
Does the military still eat SOS? ›
He said that veteran's groups who tour the base are taken to a mess hall and served creamed beef on toast made using the recipe in the 1944 Army recipe book, TM 10-412. Again, many veterans tell Hanson it their favorite meal while in the Army. And SOS remains popular among soldiers today.
What cut of meat is chipped beef? ›
Also called dried beef, chipped beef is typically made from a leaner cut of meat, such as beef round. The meat is brined and left to cure for several days before being drained and air-dried. You can now also find chipped beef that's been smoked while it dries, adding additional flavor to the meat.
Who invented chipped beef on toast? ›
It seems evident that homemakers invented chipped beef on toast during the depression era, but we actually have our WWII vets to thank for this one. This meal was a traditional army recipe that was super easy to make, cheap, and incredibly filling.
How long does dried chipped beef last? ›
Knauss Dried Beef/Chipped Beef (4 pack, 3oz. Each)
A: They will keep in the refridgerator for 4 - 6 months, the packages are dated with use or freeze by dates. They will keep in the freezer for a year based on my experience. Really good dries beef that holds together well when cooked.
How did SOS get its name? ›
Many think "SOS" stands for "save our souls" or "save our ship," but it actually doesn't stand for anything. SOS is a Morse Code distress signal. Morse Code is a system that uses dots, dashes and spaces to communicate letters and numbers.
What meat is KFC gravy? ›
What is the gravy at KFC made of? The restaurant uses a simple combination of gravy powder, water, and – their secret ingredient – chicken crackling. This is a collection of the browned bits and pieces leftover from frying their world famous chicken.
This classic sauce is made by combining two unusual ingredients. A beloved Southern favorite, red eye gravy is made with the duo of ham drippings and black coffee. The dish gets its unique name from how the round circles of ham fat look like red eyes when floating on top of the coffee.
What is a Southern gravy called? ›
Red-eye gravy is a gravy made from the drippings of ham fried in a skillet or frying pan. The pan is deglazed with coffee, giving the gravy its name, and uses no thickening agent. This gravy is a staple of Southern United States cuisine and is usually served over ham, grits or biscuits.
Who makes chipped beef? ›
Stouffer's Creamed Chipped Beef is excellent served over flaky biscuits, toast points, corn bread, English muffins, or a croissant and garnish with fresh parsley for a classic breakfast or brunch entree. Stouffer's Creamed Chipped Beef Delicious over baked potato, steamed rice or al denté egg noodles.
Is chipped beef like beef jerky? ›
It is not as dry as beef jerky, and doesn't have as much fat. It can be made in different ways.
Is buddig dried beef? ›
Buddig beef is the best dried beef substitute for creamed chipped beef!
What does SOS mean for food? ›
In U.S. military food terms, SOS generally implies some kind of meat in a sauce, served over toast (the toast being the “shingle”), and often served as a breakfast dish.
What is the origin of the SOS recipe? ›
The earliest date I could find was 1910, and its inclusion in The Manual For Army Cooks, where it was called “Stewed, chip beef.” That particular recipe called for 15 pounds of chipped beef to feed 60 men. Around WWII is when it became known as SOS but, it also had many other names…
What does SOS mean on a burger? ›
Even on busy mornings, afternoons, and nights, restaurant kitchen staff know that "SOS" isn't a distress signal. Rather, this shorthand is vital in communicating a particular customer's preference regarding condiments. SOS merely indicates that a patron asked for their sauce on the side.
Why are biscuits and gravy called SOS? ›
Or, as we colloquially called it, “SOS” – “Sh*t On a Shingle.” Back in WWII when SOS was named “SOS,” it was made by serving creamed chipped beef gravy over toast.
