The most iconic of all military meals - Creamed Chipped Beef is a delicious mixture of dried, chipped beef in a creamy sauce served over toasted bread.
Are you looking forward to next weekend? Well, of course you are! It's Memorial Day weekend!
For most of us, this will be a nice long weekend with a break from work and a chance to get together with friends and family to celebrate the start of summer. School's already out in some places and the weather is warm. Perfect time to celebrate, right?
While we're celebrating the change of season, let's all remember what Memorial Day is really about. It's not a holiday to mark the start of summer. It's a time to remember servicemen and women who gave everything for our country.
Memorial Day started out after the Civil War as “Decoration Day” and was designated as a time for citizens to decorate the graves of fallen Civil War soldiers and to honor the sacrifice they gave for their country. The first observance was held in 1868 at Arlington National Cemetery. It became an official holiday much later.
Our Family's Military Members
Military service wasn't something I was very familiar with until I met BeeBop. When we met, he was an active duty member of the U. S. Navy. He served for 10 years as a nuclear reactor operator on a submarine and later as a Navy recruiter.
His service took him from Idaho to Charleston, South Carolina, to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, plus deployments throughout the Mediterranean and even to the North Pole. Not only did he serve, but so did his father and brother.
BeeBop's dad, Charles, was a 24-year U. S. Air Force veteran who served in both Korea and Vietnam and his brother, Jim, did a 4-year stint in the U. S. Army.
BeeBop's uncles also served. His Uncle Bill was in the Army for 4 years serving in Vietnam and his Uncle Larry was a full colonel Army helicopter pilot who retired as base commander at Ft. Rucker.
Military service wasn't really a tradition in my family. However, both my grandmother's brothers, Bud and Toby, served in World War II. I'm not sure what role Uncle Toby played, but I do know that Uncle Bud was a tail gunner.
To each and every one of them and to all the men and women who have served in the past and continue to serve today, I say a humble thank you for your service. This country would not enjoy the freedoms that we daily take for granted without your sacrifices.
An Iconic Military Meal
In honor of those who did and do serve, I wanted to do something a bit different for a Memorial Day recipe. Instead of grilling and barbecuing, I thought I'd share a recipe that is one of the most iconic of all military meals - Creamed Chipped Beef.
Those of you who have served, will know this by its more colorful title of SOS. If you don't know what "SOS" means, well just ask anyone you know who has served in the military!
How to Make Creamed Chipped Beef
Chipped, dried beef is not something I purchase very often, so it took me a minutes to actually find it in my grocery store. I did remember from way back when that it comes in jars but I was looking for it with the sandwich meats. You'll find it where the canned meats are located. It'll be alongside the tuna, potted meat, and Vienna sausages :-)
This is my personal recipe and I've added a few things that Creamed Chipped Beef normally doesn't contain. If you want it strictly traditional, omit the onions, pimiento, and peas. However, I think they add a lot in terms of flavor and especially in appearance.
Briefly rinse the beef under warm water. For a traditional preparation, tear it into strips and let it drain on paper towels.
Chop the green onions.
In a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the green onions and chipped beef. Cook, stirring, until the onions are soft.
Sprinkle the flour over the onions and beef and continue cooking and stirring for an additional 2 or 3 minutes.
Slowly add the milk, stirring constantly.
Stir in the pepper. Bring the mixture to a strong bubble, then reduce the heat and cook until thickened. Taste the mixture and see if you think it needs any salt. It probably won't because the beef is quite salty.
Stir in the pimiento and peas and cook for a few minutes until the peas are heated through.
Serve over toasted bread. I prefer a good sourdough bread for this.
Enjoy!
More Beef Recipes on Never Enough Thyme:
Chipped Beef Recipes from Other Bloggers:
- Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast from For the Love of Cooking
- Dried Beef Dip from My Baking Addiction
- SOS Creamed Beef from Nutmeg Nanny
- Easy Chipped Beef Cheese Ball from The Recipe Critic
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Creamed Chipped Beef
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 green onions sliced
- 2.5 ounces chipped beef torn into strips
- 4 tbsp flour
- 2 cups milk
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp diced pimiento
- ½ cup frozen green peas
- 8 slices bread toasted (sourdough preferred)
Instructions
- Rinse the beef under warm water. Tear into shreds and drain on paper towels.
- In a medium non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter.
- Add the green onions and chipped beef. Cook, stirring, until the onions are soft.
- Sprinkle the flour over the onions and beef and continue cooking and stirring for an additional 2 or 3 minutes.
- Slowly add the milk, stirring constantly. Bring the mixture to a strong bubble, then reduce the heat and cook until thickened.
- Stir in the pimiento and peas and cook for a few minutes until the peas are heated through.
- Serve over toasted bread.
Notes
Nutrition Information
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 health care provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
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Crystal says
My mom used to make it when we were kids. She didn't put in onions or pimento but diced up a hard boiled egg into the mix. I'd forgotten about the stuff but will definitely have to try my hand at it now. THANK YOU!!!
Mark says
I sprnt many years in the Army having creamed beef for breakfast. Loved it and still make it today. I also loved the Stouffers? chipped beef boil in bags. As the cost of chipped beef is rather high, I was wondering how this recipe would be if made with ground beef?
Lana Stuart says
Very good with ground beef! Just brown your beef and drain away the fat then proceed with the recipe.