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READY IN 1 hr

Grandpa's Tomato Gravy

Read Reviews (16)

"Handed down from my Grandpa who was born and reared in south Georgia. It is really a sauce (because there is no flour in it) but you can eat it for breakfast over biscuits, eat it at room temperature like a soup at lunch or the way we ate it at his house over rice with hoe cakes for dinner. It is simple to make but tastes so good. It keeps in the refrigerator for several days and I think it tastes better the next day." — Bud W

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Original recipe makes 10 servings Change Servings

8 slices bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 large onion, chopped
2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce

1 teaspoon white sugar, or more to taste
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
1 tablespoon butter

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Directions

Place the bacon in a Dutch oven, and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the fat starts to cook out, about 2 minutes. Add the onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce to the pan. Season with sugar and black pepper. Simmer until the sauce is reduced by at least 1/4 and up to 1/3, 30 to 45 minutes. Stir in the butter just before serving.

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PREP 15 mins
COOK 45 mins
READY IN 1 hr

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Reviews More Reviews

Most Helpful Positive Review

Aug 07, 2009

This is a very good recipe! I had all I could do to keep my spoon out of it while it was cooking. I thought the texture was very smooth on the tongue. M”Lady gave it a definite large 5 stars, and I concur wholeheartedly. I’m thinking of adding some oregano and garlic, and trying it as a spaghetti sauce. It’s definitely a recipe to keep.

—cliff4d

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Most Helpful Critical Review

Feb 10, 2011

I did not like it, I make tomato graving with flour and water. other wise it's too strong

—Joycegl

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18 Ratings

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Jul 15, 2010

Thank you for posting this, Bud. My father in law actually made this for me when my husband and I started dating (and he made it for my husband growing up) and I didn't ask him how he made it before he passed. My husband asks about this quite often but I didn't know how to make it. This is EXACTLY how he made it, only he added a little "green" spice I didn't catch. I did add a half tsp. each of basil and oregano and that was it exactly. I only had a small taste but my husband and kids ate almost all of it over parmesan noodles. You made our day. And sometimes, it's really the simplest things that get you every time. Thank you.

—Sarah Jo

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Jul 29, 2009

I made half the recipe and put it over almost stale Italian bread. The only thing I did was add a bit of basil. Great red gravy or sauce or whatever you want to call it. Will make this again. Thanks for sharing.

—BigShotsMom

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Jul 29, 2009

What a great recipe!I made it this evening and served it over rice and meatloaf.Wow what a great way to jazz up rice.I loved it!I will make this again.Thanks for sharing.

—Fable37

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Jan 16, 2012

Absolutely delicious! My husband kept talking about this "tomato gravy" (which I had never heard of) that he had ate once. So i found this recipe and he said it tasted almost exactly how he remembered it! Thanks for this!

—knb15

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Aug 03, 2009

This is terrific! I made it tonight along with meatloaf, rice, and biscuits and it was wonderful with all of them. I asked my hubby how he would rate it and he said 10 stars (: Thank you so much for sharing this recipe with us Bud, I will definitely be making this again and again!!

—Julie

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May 19, 2013

good over meatballs served with mashed potatoes. very similar my grandmas tomato gravy only she just used a little bacon grease instead of pieces of bacon.

—soupisgoodfood33

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Nutrition

Calories
163 kcal
8%

Carbohydrates
9.4 g
3%

Cholesterol
18 mg
6%

Fat
11.3 g
17%

Fiber
2.1 g
9%

Protein
4.6 g
9%

Sodium
650 mg
26%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Grandpa's Tomato Gravy

Serving Size: 1/10 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 10
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 163
Calories from Fat: 102

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 11.3g 17 %
Saturated Fat 4.1g 21 %
Cholesterol 18mg 6 %
Sodium 650mg 26 %
Potassium 396mg 11 %
Total Carbohydrates 9.4g 3 %
Dietary Fiber 2.1g 9 %
Protein 4.6g 9 %
Sugars 6.5g
Vitamin A 30 %
Vitamin C 26 %
Calcium 8 %
Iron 41 %
** Thiamin 12 %
** Niacin 13 %
** Vitamin B6 6 %
** Magnesium 4 %
** Folate 4 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.