Do Biscuits and Gravy Have a Lot of Sugar? A Nutritional Deep Dive

December 28, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutritional data from sources like Nutritionix, a typical serving of biscuits and gravy can contain as little as 4 to 10 grams of sugar, depending on the specific recipe. This may be surprising, as most people question whether biscuits and gravy have a lot of sugar, assuming its high calorie count is due to sweetness.

Quick Summary

The sugar content in biscuits and gravy is relatively low, especially compared to its high levels of fat, sodium, and calories. The minimal sugar comes mainly from the biscuit and sometimes sweet sausage, rather than the savory gravy itself. Overall, the dish poses more health concerns due to its high saturated fat and sodium.

Key Points

Low Sugar, High Everything Else: While the sugar isn't excessive, biscuits and gravy are very high in calories, saturated fat, and sodium.
Not a Sweet Breakfast: Unlike pancakes with syrup or donuts, the flavor profile is savory, with sugar playing only a minor role for flavor or texture.
Recipe Varies Sugar: The amount of sugar depends heavily on the recipe, particularly if a sweet breakfast sausage or pre-packaged mix is used.
Biscuits Have Minimal Sugar: Traditional biscuits typically contain only a small amount of sugar to aid in browning and to enhance texture.
Gravy is Mostly Savory: The savory gravy itself, made with milk, flour, and sausage drippings, contributes very little sugar.
Healthier Swaps are Possible: Reducing sugar, fat, and sodium can be done by using leaner meats, low-fat milk, and making biscuits from scratch.

Is Biscuits and Gravy Truly a High-Sugar Dish?

Biscuits and gravy is a classic comfort food, and its rich, savory profile often leads people to believe that it must be loaded with sugar. While this dish can be high in calories, the amount of sugar it contains is surprisingly low, especially when compared to other popular breakfast items. The confusion often arises because biscuits and gravy are notoriously unhealthy due to other nutritional factors, not sugar.

Traditional, scratch-made sausage gravy is a savory creation, consisting of cooked sausage, flour, milk, and spices like black pepper. It does not typically call for any added sweeteners. The biscuits themselves may contain a small amount of granulated sugar, but this is used more for browning and texture rather than for significant sweetness.

The Source of Sugar: Where Does It Actually Come From?

If biscuits and gravy do contain some sugar, it can be traced back to a few key ingredients:

The Biscuit: Standard biscuit recipes often include a small amount of sugar to enhance the browning process and provide a touch of flavor complexity. This is usually only a couple of teaspoons in an entire batch.
The Sausage: While most breakfast sausages are savory, some varieties, particularly those labeled 'maple sausage,' include added sugar or syrup for flavor. Using a sweeter sausage will directly increase the overall sugar content of the dish.
Pre-packaged Mixes: Gravy and biscuit mixes found in stores can sometimes contain added sugars as part of the processed ingredients. Cooking from scratch with whole ingredients gives you more control over the nutritional content.

The Bigger Nutritional Concerns: Beyond Just Sugar

When evaluating the health impact of biscuits and gravy, the focus should shift away from sugar and towards the dish's more significant nutritional components: calories, saturated fat, and sodium. A single serving can deliver a substantial portion of your daily recommended intake for these nutrients.

High Calories: The combination of fatty sausage, butter, flour, and milk results in a calorie-dense meal. This makes it a heavy breakfast that can quickly consume a significant portion of your daily caloric budget.
High Saturated Fat: The rendered fat from the sausage, combined with butter and whole milk, means the saturated fat content can be very high. High intake of saturated fat is a known risk factor for heart disease.
High Sodium: Processed sausages, pre-packaged mixes, and added salt all contribute to a very high sodium count. Excess sodium can lead to high blood pressure and other cardiovascular issues.

How to Enjoy Biscuits and Gravy with Less Sugar (and Fat)

For those who love this Southern classic but want a healthier version, several modifications can be made:

Use leaner meat: Opt for turkey or chicken sausage instead of high-fat pork sausage. This significantly reduces saturated fat without sacrificing flavor.
Make biscuits from scratch: Control the ingredients by making your own biscuits and reducing or eliminating the added sugar. Using a whole-wheat flour alternative can also boost fiber content.
Choose low-fat milk: Replace whole milk with low-fat or skim milk for the gravy. For a creamy gravy with even less fat, use unsweetened almond milk and a thickening agent like xanthan gum.
Manage portion sizes: The simplest method is to eat a smaller serving. One biscuit with a conservative amount of gravy is much healthier than a large, oversized portion.
Add vegetables: Incorporate finely chopped onions, peppers, or mushrooms into the gravy for added nutrients and fiber.

Comparison Table: Traditional vs. Low-Sugar Biscuits and Gravy


Feature	Traditional Recipe	Low-Sugar/Healthy Version
Sausage	High-fat pork sausage	Lean ground turkey or chicken sausage
Gravy Base	Full-fat milk, rendered sausage fat	Low-fat milk, low-sodium broth, or unsweetened almond milk
Biscuits	White flour, butter, some sugar	Whole-wheat or almond flour, less butter, no added sugar
Sugar Content	Moderate (mostly from sausage/biscuits)	Very low to none
Saturated Fat	Very high	Significantly reduced
Sodium	Very high (from sausage and salt)	Reduced (using leaner, low-sodium meat)
Fiber	Low	Higher (with whole-wheat flour or added vegetables)

Conclusion

While the question of “do biscuits and gravy have a lot of sugar” is a valid one, the answer is that the sugar content is typically not the primary health concern. While some recipes contain more sugar than others, especially with the use of sweeter sausages, the overall impact of the meal is dominated by its high fat and sodium levels. Enjoying this classic Southern dish is best done in moderation or by making healthier ingredient swaps to significantly reduce its less desirable nutritional aspects without compromising its comforting, savory appeal. For more information on making healthier adjustments to your meals, consult resources from health organizations like the YMCA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, traditional biscuits and gravy can be unhealthy due to high levels of calories, saturated fat, and sodium, not necessarily because of high sugar content.

No, the gravy typically has a very low sugar content, as it's made from savory ingredients like sausage fat, flour, and milk. Sweetness is not part of a traditional gravy recipe.

Most of the sugar comes from the biscuits themselves, which contain a small amount for browning and texture. Some sugar may also come from sweeter varieties of breakfast sausage.

Biscuits and gravy typically contain significantly less sugar than pancakes drenched in maple syrup, which is loaded with sweeteners. The main nutritional issues are different for each dish.

Yes, you can use healthier swaps like lean ground turkey or chicken sausage, low-fat or unsweetened almond milk for the gravy, and make your biscuits from scratch using less or no sugar.

The biggest health concerns are the high amounts of saturated fat and sodium, which can negatively impact heart health and blood pressure.

Restaurant recipes can vary widely, and some may use pre-packaged ingredients or sweeter sausage, potentially increasing the sugar content. However, they are still more likely to be a high-fat and high-sodium item overall.