What is Red Eye Gravy?

A cherished dish of the South, red eye gravy is crafted by combining ham drippings with black coffee. The name comes from the way the ham fat circles appear like red eyes floating on top of the coffee. It’s also known by other regional names such as poor man's gravy, bottom sop, and red ham gravy.

To make red eye gravy, country ham is fried until golden, and the savory drippings are mixed with strong black coffee to deglaze the pan. The blend is simmered for a few minutes, reducing into a deep brown sauce. Some recipes add a bit of flour to the coffee, creating a roux for a thicker gravy, though this is less common.

Red eye gravy can be enjoyed at any meal, though it’s always paired with country ham. For breakfast, it often accompanies country ham biscuits, either served as a dipping bowl on the side or with each biscuit briefly dipped in the gravy before sandwiching in a slice of ham. For dinner, it’s commonly poured over a generous portion of country ham, with vegetable sides and a biscuit or cornbread to soak up the extra gravy.