Celebrating National Biscuits and Gravy Day – A UK Take on a Classic American Comfort Dish

Every 14th December, the United States marks National Biscuits and Gravy Day, a celebration of one of its most beloved comfort foods. 

For many of us Brits, however, the phrase “biscuits and gravy” still raises an eyebrow. Biscuits… with gravy? At breakfast? What on earth?

Once you get past the linguistic differences, this hearty Southern staple is actually rather delicious. And surprisingly adaptable to a British kitchen. 

Today, let’s explore the dish, its roots, and how you can enjoy a UK-friendly version at home.

What Are American Biscuits, Anyway?

In the UK, a biscuit is a Hobnob, Digestive or custard cream. In the US, a “biscuit” is something entirely different:

Soft, fluffy, and closer to a savoury scone without the sugar

Made with buttermilk, self-raising flour, and cold butter

Served warm, split open, and often soaked in a creamy sauce

Once understood in those terms, biscuits and gravy becomes far less bizarre – and far more tempting.

The Gravy: Creamy, Savoury, and Hugely Comforting

The traditional gravy is sausage gravy: a white, peppery sauce made by frying crumbled breakfast sausage, adding flour, and whisking in milk. It’s thick, rich, mildly spiced, and tailor-made for a cold winter morning.

From a British perspective, it’s somewhere between a béchamel and a sausage casserole sauce — but poured generously over warm scones. Strange? A little. Comforting? Absolutely.

Why Biscuits and Gravy Has Taken Off on Social Media

Food creators love its:

Cosy, wintry look – perfect for December content

Budget-friendly ingredients

Homely nostalgia factor

Brunch crowd appeal

And increasingly, UK foodies are curious to try it themselves.

A UK-Friendly Version You Can Make at Home

Want to celebrate National Biscuits and Gravy Day without hunting down American ingredients? Here’s a simple adaptation:

The “Biscuit”

Use plain scones (not fruit scones!) or make quick drop scones without sugar. Adding a pinch of baking powder and working the dough lightly gives you the soft, fluffy texture needed.

The Gravy

Fry crumbled Lincolnshire or Cumberland sausage meat in a pan.

Add a tablespoon of flour and cook for a minute.

Slowly whisk in whole milk until thick and glossy.

Season generously with black pepper and a pinch of smoked paprika.

Pour over warm scones and enjoy with a fork. Yes, it’s unconventional — but so was salted caramel once!

Where to Find Biscuits and Gravy in the UK

A few places now offer it, especially in larger cities:

American-style diners in London, Manchester and Birmingham

Independent brunch cafés with US-inspired menus

Occasional pop-ups at street food markets

If you're curious, check your nearest brunch spot — it appears on more UK menus each year.

Why It’s Worth Celebrating

National Biscuits and Gravy Day is a gentle reminder that:

Comfort food transcends borders

Breakfast can be playful

Trying something unfamiliar often leads to fantastic discoveries

And with winter firmly settled in, a dish that’s warm, creamy, filling and inexpensive suddenly feels very British indeed.

Biscuits and gravy may never replace a bacon butty or a full English, but as a once-a-year indulgence it’s delightful, especially when given a UK twist. If you’ve never tried it, this is the perfect day to give it a go.

In fact, we think that you should be able to make Christmas-themed versions using Christmas savoury spices to serve with your Christmas dinner.