Shit On A Shingle (Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast)
on Sep 25, 2023, Updated Nov 21, 2023
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Shit On A Shingle is the ultimate comfort meal that’s fast and inexpensive. My mom used to make this for a quick breakfast, lunch or light dinner. Also called SOS, it’s a classic American military dish made with creamed chipped beef, and served over toast. This recipe is a healthier version with lighter creamy white sauce.
SOS shit on a shingle recipe
This “old-school” creamed chipped beef recipe always reminds me of my childhood. To me, it’s the beef equivalent of sausage gravy, filling and comforting, and is one of those dishes that’s so easy to make.
I feel the traditional SOS meal sometimes leaves me feeling completely weighted down, so my version uses less butter to make it healthier.
Pro Tip: Soak the dried beef in hot water for 10 minutes before cooking to remove some salt. As chipped beef is extremely salty, this easy step will make this dish taste much better. You also don’t need to add any salt to the gravy or sauce.
What is shit on a shingle?
It is a classic American army dish that originated around World War II. As it uses only a few ingredients including dried beef, soldiers didn’t have to worry about it spoiling. It’s a popular meal among the veteran community who generally refer to it as “Shit On a Shingle”. The shingle being the toast.
This dish consists of chopped dried beef cooked in a creamy white sauce. The sauce is usually made with butter, flour, and milk. It’s often served over toast, but you can serve it over potatoes or eggs (for breakfast).
Ingredients needed:
- Chipped Beef
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
- Ground Black Pepper
- Bread
Where to buy chipped beef?
The traditional “Shit On a Shingle” recipe uses chipped beef / dried beef. You can find them at your local supermarket, or buy it online at Amazon. Alternatively, you can use ground beef as a substitute.
How to make shit on a shingle
- Chop the beef into bite size pieces.
- Melt butter in a sauce pan or skillet over medium-low heat.
- Once melted, add in the flour. Whisk the butter flour mix (roux) constantly for 2-3 minutes.
- Add ground pepper and milk. Cook until smooth and creamy.
- Add the chopped beef pieces and simmer for 3-5 minutes. Remove from the heat and serve over toast.
What to serve with SOS?
This dish is served on toasts traditionally, but you can serve it on potatoes, or pasta with some veggies such as peas, broccoli, or green beans on the side.
Tips for the best SOS creamed chipped beef
- For the dried beef, most brands are very salty. Taste it after you open the package. If yours is salty, you can soak them in hot water for 10 minutes before cooking.
- After you add in the flour, you’ll need to cook for 2-3 minutes to get rid of the raw flour taste.
- If your white sauce is getting too thick, you can add extra milk (1/4 cup at a time). Cook until it reaches your desired consistency.
More Quick and Easy Breakfast Recipes:
Shit On A Shingle Recipe (Creamed Chipped Beef on toast)
Ingredients
- 8 oz dried beef *
- 4 tablespoons butter, unsalted
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 2 ½ cup milk
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Chop the dried beef into bite size pieces.
- Melt butter in a saucepan or skillet over medium-low heat.
- Once melted, add in the flour. Whisk constantly for 2-3 minutes until completely combined and the flour is cooked.
- Add ground pepper and milk. Cook until smooth and creamy.
- Add the chopped beef pieces and simmer for 3-5 minutes. If your white sauce is getting too thick, you can add extra milk (1/4 cup at a time). Cook until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Remove from the heat and serve over toast.
Notes
- *If your dried beef is very salty, you can soak them in hot water for 10 minutes before cooking.
- This recipe makes enough for 4 people for lunch or light dinner.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
Delicious quick and easy meal we simply love this, ty so much for the added tip on how to remove some of the saltiness from the meat.
Denise, glad that you like the recipe. Thanks for letting me know.
My family loves when I sauté the beef in butter first then add the sauce. I also add a little Worcester sauce.
I guess I messed up. Came out to souppy so I added hamburger and let it cook longer. Hopefully it will come out better.
This was quick and easy and everyone enjoyed it and ate it all.