Do you have any recipes from your childhood that you still crave?
Chipped beef on toast is one of those recipes for me.
I know it’s not fancy nor is it good for me but I still absolutely love it.
My mom and dad made it for us often while we were growing up and it has always been one of my very favorite breakfasts.
Since it’s not good for any of us, I only make this recipe once a year, usually for my birthday.
What Is Chipped Beef?
Chipped beef is beef that’s been salted, dried, and pressed into thin slices. This shelf-stable snack served as an incredible source of protein among emigrants traveling along The Overland Trail during the mid-19th century.
Also called dried beef, chipped beef is typically made from a leaner cut of meat, such as beef round. The meat is brined and left to cure for several days before being drained and air-dried. You can now also find chipped beef that’s been smoked while it dries, adding additional flavor to the meat.
Ingredients
1 jar of dried beef slices rinsed well & chopped
4 tbsp butter
4 tbsp flour
Pinch of cayenne
2 cups milk
Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste
Bread toasted
How To Make Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast
Rinse the slices of dried beef really well – they are VERY salty! Once you have rinsed well, pat dry with a paper towel.
Chop the beef into small bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
Heat the butter in the large saucepan over medium heat.
Add the flour and pinch of cayenne pepper to the melted butter and whisk until well combined and cooked through, about 45 seconds.
Very slowly add the milk while whisking continually.
Once the milk has all been added, add the chopped dried beef.
Cook, stirring occasionally, for a few minutes until thickened.
Taste and season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste, if needed.
Serve on top of dry toast immediately.
To store leftover creamed chipped beef on toast, it’s best to separate the beef mixture from the toast, as the bread can become soggy when stored.
Allow the creamed beef to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container.
Store the beef in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
When reheating, you can add a splash of milk to loosen the sauce, as it may thicken while cooling.
The toast should be stored separately in a sealed bag or container to maintain its crispness.
For the best results, reheat the beef mixture on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to prevent it from burning.
There are several variations and tips you can try to customize your creamed chipped beef on toast to suit your preferences.
For a lighter version, you can substitute the butter with olive oil and use skim or almond milk instead of whole milk.
If you’re looking to add a bit more flavor, try incorporating sautéed onions, garlic, or mushrooms into the sauce before adding the beef.
For extra texture and richness, a sprinkle of shredded cheese, such as cheddar or Parmesan, can be stirred into the sauce.
You can also experiment with different types of bread, like sourdough, rye, or even a whole-grain option, for a unique twist.
For a spicy kick, a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of smoked paprika can be added to the mix.
Lastly, to make the dish feel more like a complete meal, serve it with a side of scrambled eggs or sautéed vegetables.
Creamed chipped beef on toast is a rich and hearty dish, but it’s also high in calories and sodium due to the dried beef and butter.
A typical serving, which includes the beef mixture over one slice of toasted bread, can contain around 300-400 calories, depending on the type of bread and the amount of butter used.
The dish is also high in protein from the dried beef but can be quite high in fat, especially saturated fat, due to the butter and milk in the sauce.
The sodium content can be especially high due to the dried beef, which is heavily salted, so it’s important to rinse it thoroughly to reduce the salt level.
For those looking to lighten the dish, using lower-fat milk, less butter, or opting for a lower-sodium beef can help lower the calorie, fat, and sodium content.