Absolutely! Here’s a long, nostalgic, and hearty recipe for the beloved dish often known as:
Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast (aka “S.O.S.”)
A Southern classic with military roots, reimagined for comfort, history, and flavor lovers alike.
📖 Introduction
“Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast” is a legendary recipe. Once a staple in military mess halls during the 20th century, this dish earned the nickname “S.O.S.” – short for “Sht on a Shingle”*, a humorous (if crude) name referencing its ubiquitous presence in Army meals and the look of the creamy beef over toast.
Over time, it found its way into Southern kitchens, loved for its affordability, simplicity, and stick-to-your-ribs heartiness. Today, it’s a nostalgic favorite – both humble and comforting, served during Sunday breakfasts, cold winter dinners, or even at diners.
Let’s dive deep into this hearty hero of a dish – with history, love, and a whole lot of flavor.
🍳 Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 8 oz dried beef (such as Hormel, Armour, or Amish dried beef), sliced into thin strips
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk (warmed)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (freshly cracked preferred)
- 1/4 tsp onion powder (optional)
- 1 pinch of ground nutmeg (optional, for warmth)
- 4–8 slices of thick white toast, Texas toast, or buttermilk biscuits
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional but adds color)
🧑🍳 Instructions & Method
Step 1: Prep the Beef
- If your dried beef is very salty, rinse the slices under cool water briefly and pat dry.
- Slice into thin strips or bite-size pieces.
- Set aside.
Step 2: Make the Roux
- In a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Once the butter foams, whisk in the flour to make a light roux.
- Stir continuously for 1–2 minutes, until it turns slightly golden and no raw flour smell remains.
Step 3: Make the Cream Sauce
- Gradually whisk in the warm milk, about 1/2 cup at a time.
- Keep whisking until smooth.
- Let it simmer for 5–6 minutes, stirring frequently, until it thickens.
Step 4: Add the Beef
- Stir in the chopped dried beef.
- Season with black pepper, onion powder, and a pinch of nutmeg if using.
- Let the mixture simmer on low for 5 more minutes, until the beef softens and flavor infuses the sauce.
Step 5: Toast the Bread
- Toast your bread slices to golden brown.
- For a Southern spin, butter your toast or swap with hot split buttermilk biscuits.
Step 6: Assemble
- Spoon the creamy chipped beef sauce generously over the toast.
- Garnish with parsley or serve with a fried egg on top if you’re feeling fancy.
🕰️ History & Formation
- Origin: Military rations during World War I and II – quick, filling, and preserved. Dried beef was lightweight and shelf-stable, making it perfect for troops.
- Formation: “Creamed chipped beef” became a menu mainstay in barracks across the U.S. It was served over toast (the “shingle”), and though soldiers often mocked it, it became an icon of comfort.
- Southern Love: When soldiers returned home, especially in the South, they re-created this dish with butter, milk, and a little love. Over time, it was embraced as a family breakfast or hearty supper.
💕 Lovers of This Dish
This dish has many devoted fans:
- Veterans & Military Families: It sparks deep nostalgia.
- Southern Grandmas: Who serve it on iron skillets with biscuits.
- Diner Cooks: Who sling it hot with coffee and grits on the side.
- Home Chefs: Who cherish comfort food that’s both budget-friendly and soul-filling.
🎯 Conclusion
Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast is not just food. It’s history. It’s memory. It’s a simple act of comfort.
From humble mess halls to warm Southern kitchens, it remains a classic – creamy, salty, and oh-so-satisfying.
Whether you’re trying it for the first time or revisiting a beloved childhood breakfast, this dish is a time capsule of resilience, love, and buttery toast.
📝 Bonus Tips:
- Add a dash of hot sauce for spice.
- Use half-and-half for extra richness.
- For a twist, swap beef with country ham, smoked turkey, or mushrooms for a vegetarian version.
If you’d like me to format this into a printable recipe card or create a Southern-style illustrated version, just let me know!