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Country Ham with Red Eye Gravy

Country Ham with Red Eye Gravy is a Southern staple breakfast recipe that starts with salty, dry-cured ham. The gravy is flavored with strong black coffee and served over grits.

I’m putting my southern roots in full view today and reaching way back into the past with this recipe. Back to something that was an ordinary, everyday part of life when I was a child – Country Ham with Red Eye Gravy.

A plate filled with country ham, cheese grits, and red eye gravy.

When I was growing up, people didn’t let anything go to waste, even leftover coffee. And while it might sound strange to make gravy with coffee, it’s really quite good!

I would be willing to bet that there’s no one who grew up in a rural area of the southeastern U.S. who doesn’t know what country ham and red-eye gravy are. This was one of the most common breakfasts served in southern households for a very long time.

Recipe Quick View

Cuisine: Southern, Southern Vintage
Cooking Method: Stovetop
Total Time: 40 Minutes (plus overnight in the refrigerator)

Servings: 4
Primary Ingredient(s): Cured country ham, milk, coffee
Skill Level: Easy

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING …

“Brings back memories of childhood mornings with all the family and the big southern breakfasts!”
— Cheryl

You’ll also find this recipe in my cookbook!

You can see this recipe on page 51 of my cookbook, My Southern Table! Get your signed copy today.

What is Country Ham?

I suppose the best known country hams are the Smithfield brand. They make really good hams. Country hams are made from the shank portion, which is covered in salt and processed by dry-curing it over a long period of time.

The end result has a strong salty, porky taste, a deep red color, and a chewy texture. That texture is quite similar to prosciutto, but country ham has its own very unique flavor.

Back before Smithfield became a household word, Southern families cured their own hams. The time for butchering hogs was always the first frost in the fall.

I have very vague childhood memories of the adults doing the fall butchering. The most persistent of those memories is the smell of my grandparents’ smokehouse.

The smokehouse was a tiny little building set away from the back of their home. I can just barely remember the meats hanging up in there and a steady, very slow smoke filling the whole place. There was always that pungent, smoky smell that got into your clothes and your hair but which made the meats coming from that smokehouse so delicious!

Country ham was one of my daddy’s favorite things. Second only to a good t-bone steak. After he had a major heart attack, however, those were two of the long list of things that he had to give up.

Even so, mama would always make country ham for him once a year on Christmas morning. I think he looked forward to Christmas breakfast as much as he did any other part of the day!

Why Is It Called Red Eye Gravy?

Like so many things, the true origin of the name of this southern comfort food recipe is obscure. You can find lots of stories online, but the following is my favorite.

According to legend, Andrew Jackson, who was a general at the time, called his cook in to give him instructions about what to prepare for breakfast. The cook had been drinking liberally the previous evening, and his eyes were bright red as a result. The general asked the cook to bring him some country ham with gravy as red as his eyes. Some of those nearby heard the order, and from then on, ham gravy became “Red Eye Gravy.”

“Red Eye” is not this recipe’s only name, however. It’s also known as coffee gravy, red ham gravy, poor man’s gravy, muddy gravy, bottom sop, and bird-eye gravy, depending on the part of the South from which you come. And, unlike other gravies, there is no butter, oil, or flour used in the recipe.

Ingredient and Equipment Notes

Ingredients needed to make this recipe.
Cured country ham, milk, oil, strong black coffee, water, cornstarch.

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This recipe doesn’t call for any fancy cooking equipment. All you’ll need is a skillet for both frying the ham and making the gravy, along with a saucepan for the grits!

  • Cured country ham thinly sliced – For country ham, you can’t beat Smithfield. We can purchase their country ham slices in grocery stores in the South, but you can also order online if you like.
  • Milk – Used for removing some of the ham’s saltiness.
  • Strong black coffee – The stronger the coffee, the more flavorful the gravy.

The complete ingredient list with detailed measurements is included in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How I Make Country Ham with Red Eye Gravy

Ham soaking in milk.
STEP 1.
Drying the ham with a paper towel.
STEP 2.
Browning ham in a skillet.
STEPS 3-4.
  1. Now, country ham is salty. Actually, that’s an understatement. Country ham is super salty. Some people cook it right out of the package, salt and all, but I like to let it soak overnight in a milk bath. It takes away a lot of the salt, making it a bit more mellow, and begins breaking down the chewiness of the ham just a bit, I think.
  2. When you’re ready to cook, remove the ham from its milk bath and dry it with paper towels. Discard the milk.
  3. Then, heat a skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of oil.
  4. To keep the ham from curling when it cooks, slash the edges of the fat in a few places. Cook the ham according to the brand’s package directions or until the surface temperature is about 160 degrees.

👉 PRO TIP: I gauge whether the ham is done by appearance. When the fat is just translucent, and the ham has a bit of golden color on it, it’s done.

Finished ham removed to a plate.
STEP 5.
Adding coffee, water, and cornstarch to the pan.
STEP 6.
  1. Remove the ham from the pan and keep it warm. Keep the skillet over medium-high heat.

Now, admittedly your pan is probably looking pretty dismal at this point. It’s going to have a lot of very dark brown stuff on the bottom, but that’s okay! Those ham drippings are going to make your gravy just that much better. Also, be aware that you won’t have much moisture in the pan at this point. Country hams are usually too dry to give off much liquid.

  1. Mix together the water, coffee, and cornstarch, and whisk that mixture into the pan. Make sure you have a nice, strong coffee for your gravy. Its flavor is important to the finished product.
  2. Cook while you stir constantly to dislodge all the drippings from the bottom of the pan. Reduce the heat and let the gravy simmer briefly to finish cooking. Some cooks add a touch of black pepper at this point.
  3. Serve over plain or cheese grits, split buttermilk biscuits, or over the cooked ham.

Now, here’s where some of you who are familiar with the traditional red-eye gravy recipe are going to disagree with me, and that’s on the use of cornstarch. I know, I know…it traditionally does not have any thickening agent added. It’s a thin sauce. But I like mine with just a little body so I add a touch of cornstarch. If you want to stay true to authentic recipes, just leave it out. We’ll still be friends.

If you find that the coffee has made your gravy just a bit too bitter, add a little water and the tiniest pinch of sugar to mellow the flavors.

A side view of a plate filled with country ham, cheese grits, and red eye gravy.

How To Serve?

Serve over plain grits or cheese grits; cut a biscuit open and drizzle it on; or spoon it over country ham. Or do all three. Some fried eggs alongside make a nearly perfect breakfast or dinner on a cold winter night.

If you want a real, old-fashioned country treat, cut open a biscuit and dip the cut sides quickly into the gravy. Put a piece of country ham and a spoonful of Mayhaw jelly inside.

How Do I Store the Leftovers?

Leftovers? You have leftovers? Just kidding. The leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to three days and reheated in the microwave or over low heat on the stove. Unlike other gravies that are heavy with cream and flour, this gravy does actually freeze well.

Can I Use a Different Kind of Ham for Red Eye Gravy?

👉 Notes About the Ham: There is no red eye gravy without cured country ham. Other kinds of ham, like city hams or ham “steaks,” don’t have the correct flavor for this recipe. You’ll need a very good quality Smithfield or genuine Virginia ham with a good amount of fat around the edges.

A bite of grits with red eye gravy suspended on a fork.

Questions About Red Eye Gravy

Can red eye gravy be made without coffee?

Now, I know some of y’all are wondering if you can substitute something else for the coffee in this recipe. Bless your heart… the answer to that is just no. Red Eye Gravy is the combination of coffee and the drippings from cooking country ham; one without the other just makes it … well, I don’t know, but definitely not Red Eye Gravy!

Can you buy a red eye gravy mix in the store?

No. There are no packets of Red Eye Gravy mix sitting on the supermarket shelves. Even if there was, I would give you another big fat no!

Lana Stuart.

Questions? I’m happy to help!

If you have more questions about the recipe, or if you’ve made it and would like to leave a comment, scroll down to leave your thoughts, questions, and/or rating!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

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A plate filled with country ham, cheese grits, and red eye gravy.

Country Ham with Red Eye Gravy

Try Country Ham with Red Eye Gravy for an authentic southern breakfast! It's made with dry cured ham and the gravy is flavored with coffee.
5 from 14 votes
Print It Rate It Add to Collection
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Southern, Southern, Vintage
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 309kcal
Author: Lana Stuart

Ingredients

  • 1 pound cured country ham thinly sliced
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • ¼ cup strong black coffee
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch

Instructions

  • Place the sliced country ham and the milk in a bag and let it sit overnight in the refrigerator.
  • Remove the ham and wipe dry with paper towels.
  • Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the ham and cook briefly until the fat is cooked through and the ham has reached a surface temperature of 160 degrees (or follow the package directions for cooking).
  • Remove the ham from the skillet and set aside. Keep the skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Mix the coffee, water and cornstarch together and pour into the pan.
  • Cook while stirring to dislodge all the drippings from the bottom of the pan. Reduce the heat and let the gravy simmer briefly to finish cooking.
  • Serve over plain or cheese grits, split biscuits, or over the cooked ham.

Notes

  • Choose slices from a good quality dry-cured Smithfield or genuine Virginia ham with a good amount of fat around the edges.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to three days and reheated in the microwave or over low heat on the stove.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 | Calories 309kcal | Carbohydrates 1g | Protein 24g | Fat 23g | Saturated Fat 7g | Cholesterol 70mg | Sodium 1347mg | Potassium 324mg | Calcium 8mg | Iron 1mg

Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.

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— This post was originally published on September 9, 2011. It has been updated with new photos and additional information.

A serving of red eye gravy and ham on a plate with cheese grits.
5 from 14 votes (11 ratings without comment)

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43 Comments

  1. Diane Shuler says:

    So many memories! My mom did not use cornstarch or water, just drippings and coffee. So good on her biscuits and grits!

    1. That’s definitely the traditional way with no cornstarch. And, I agree, it’s so delicious on biscuits and gravy!

  2. 5 stars
    Brings back memories of childhood mornings with all the family and the big southern breakfasts! Delicious and thank you for including the soak part of the prep, I had forgotten and this is what makes the dish spot on for me. Thanks for sharing all your great recipes.

  3. I’ve been enjoying a rendition of this recipe since I was a child. I like to whisk a bit of ketchup in it instead of corn starch for a tomato flavor that works exceptionally well with the coffee. Try this in a bowl of grits with a couple of fried eggs.

  4. john wheeler says:

    do you have a recommendation to replace smithfield country ham slices i can no longer find. (in the city) We always bought the cryo package with about 12 oz or so to make this recipe. thank you
    John ( Ft Lauderdale.

    1. There are a few brands that you can purchase online from Amazon. However, I haven’t tried any of them so can’t recommend one way or another.

    2. 5 stars
      I always buy my country ham & bacon from Bentonโ€™s smokehouse in Cleveland, Tennessee not sure of website but always call & place order for country ham & bacon
      The Best , take it from old Tennessee boy

      1. I’ve bought Benton’s bacon in the past and it was a treat! I’m sure their hams are also delicious.

  5. My second time with this recipe was great both times. I miss granny making this and her great biscuits. Thanks for sharing all your recipes.

  6. Mama Donna says:

    My grandmother always served this with biscuits and apples fried in bacon grease with a pinch of sugar. Mmm good.

  7. Tamara Harris says:

    5 stars
    Without the cornstarch or water, this is very close to true red-eye gravy. Your recipe is closer to the real thing than a lot of other crap recipes that is absolutely Not red-eye gravy. Very good.

    1. Yes. I did mention in the post that it was true to the original but my own addition. To be really authentic, you’d add coffee instead of water and no cornstarch.

  8. Oooooooh. That makes me want a cool crisp fall morning, with this for breakfast. Looks divine.
    Miss P

  9. Thank you so much for the tip about making the country ham more tender. I bought some and it is chewy like you mentioned so I am going to try this milk bath for the first time. I just love red-eyed gravy. I can’t wait to have some on my grits with my ham later today! :)

  10. Country ham is at the top of my list
    of home cooked breakfasts.
    When the Red Eye gravy is right it tops the country ham for flavor and taste.
    My only problem is that I only hit the red eye, bulls eye, about twenty percent of the time.
    My attempts end up eighty percent of the time tasting like motor oil!
    Any help Please!

  11. Karen Bove says:

    Mmmmm, memories that make my mouth water. Thanks for reminding me to put this on my to-do list SOON! My kids really need to experience red eye gravy.

  12. Zesty Cook says:

    I’m not even from the US, much less the south, so I have definitely never heard of this before. Gosh, it looks pretty amazing! My mom always used to say, “I never met a pig I didn’t like.” That’s what I think when I see this recipe! Thanks Lana!

  13. DessertForTwo says:

    One of my favorite breakfasts! I should really take the time to make it more often!

    1. You should! It’s actually a pretty quick breakfast. I think I had it on the table in under 20 minutes – biscuits included.

  14. Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says:

    This is something my little pork-aholics would go nuts over.:)

    1. Ha! We’re pretty much pork-aholics here, too :-)

  15. Becki's Whole Life says:

    Country ham is one of my favorite things to eat and I probably only get it about once or twice a year when we go to visit my in-laws. Grandma cooks a whole country ham and it’s out of this world. I would love to find a place that has good sliced country ham like hers. The stuff in our supermarket is not the same thing as we are used to. Your red eye gravy looks great – I would add the cornstarch, too!

    1. Becki – you can actually order good country ham online from a little place in south Georgia called Stripling’s. They’re famous for their sausage and their ham is wonderful, too. If you interested they’re at http://www.striplings.com

  16. How ironic.
    I just happen to have a slice of country ham and some grits that were given to me by a very special lady (big thank you)
    Guess what’s on our menu for breakfast?

    1. I want to hear how you liked it!

  17. Rachel Willen says:

    I have Red Eye Gravy on my list of things I’ve wanted to try to make. Thanks for pushing it to the top of the list with this recipe!

    Rachel

    1. You’re welcome, Rachel! Hope you enjoy it.

  18. It’s funny, I thought I might be the only person around who uses milk to soak ham, or liver, or smoked black cod, in milk before cooking. My mother & Grandmother, both now long gone, alway did, so naturally I do the same.
    Its good to see I’m not alone on such a great way of de-salting & tenderizing. I’m sure your ham & gravy recipe will revitalize that!

    I have to admit I’ve never made gravy with ham, our traditional condiment is homemade raisin sauce & hot mustard for the daring eaters, but will definately try your gravy with our next ham dinner. A nice change is always welcome when it comes to serving food, especially if its gravy!

    Thanks again for sharing Lana

    1. Jocelyn, some people soak in water but I do use milk. You just need something to draw out as much of the salt as possible from country ham. For me, it’s really not edible until some of the salt is reduced.

  19. Mari @ Mari's Cakes says:

    It looks delicious! Thank you for sharing the milk bath tip. I usually do that with liver to make it tender, but didn’t know I could do it with ham. The coffee in the gravy is new to me, I have taste it soon. Thanks :)

  20. have not seen a recipe for red-eye gravy in a long time – sho do look good… my daddy’s folks had a smokehouse that even years after it became a shed, still had the smell of smoked hams…wonderful aroma
    coffee in the gravy, only a few do that…

    1. Yes, and I’ve heard people talk about the spots where smokehouses stood not being able to ever grow anything, even grass, after the smokehouse was torn down. Too much salt in the dirt in that spot :-)

      That little bit of coffee sure does enhance the flavor.

  21. Liz @ Microwave Goddess says:

    I’ve never made this, but always been interested in it-thank you for sharing!!

  22. Margie Wilson says:

    I have never made Red Eye Gravy, I am going to try your recipes. I wish I could do what you have done with your recipes on my blog, the option to print them. I just started with my blogs, so still a lot to learn. Thanks for sharing this recipe.

  23. Jennifer @ Jane Deere says:

    Oooh…now I’m a gravy girl! My mouth is watering and I’m full from supper! This looks delicious…thanks for the tips on red eye gravy!

    1. You’re welcome Jennifer. Hope you’ll try it and like it.

  24. Alison @ ingredients, Inc. says:

    looks delish!

  25. Move. Really, get out of the way. I am elbow deep in memories. If you really think back, you will remember that Gama liked country ham as much as anyone. And, despite the fact that she could not cook much of anything, she excelled at both country ham and biscuits.

    I always order country ham if we have breakfast out. I dare not cook it at home, or risk consuming the entire package.

    Thanks for the memory.

    Miss P

    1. She did enjoy it, didn’t she? I’m sure it was a breakfast staple in their house. Do you remember the little smokehouse at all? I thought it was the most mysterious place. Meat went in there and came out months later as ham, bacon, etc. Almost wish I had one myself :-)