Chipped beef on toast

Sh*t on a Shingle (Chipped Beef on Toast)


Sh#t on a Shingle or SOS 

Chipped Beef on Toast

Sh*t on a Shingle- What a name?  The good news:  there is no actual sh*t or shingles in this Chipped Beef on toast recipe!  Even better news:  Delicious!  

Maybe not the most appetizing name- but it’s time-tested and nostalgic.   Definitely a taste memory for so many people- and lovingly called SOS.

Why is Chipped Beef on Toast called Sh#t on a Shingle?

Creamed Chipped beef recipes, also called ‘SOS’ go back to the early 1900s as a staple for military troops.  It doesn’t sound fancy- but actually not that different than the French BÉCHAMEL SAUCE  .   The “Shit on a Shingle recipe first appeared in the 1910 Manual for Army Cooks, which listed it as “stewed, chipped beef”. 

Chipped Beef on Toast became a staple in all of the branches of the service because the jarred Chipped beef had been dried, salted, pressed, and thinly sliced, making it a practical, compact, and shelf-stable food that’s an ideal source of protein for soldiers.  Of course, so many veterans remember and still enjoy dried beef in a creamy gravy.

Is Corned Beef the same as dried beef?

Corned beef and dried beef are different. They both have a high sodium content but the corned beef is brined cured and the dried beef is salt-cured. The flavors and textures are not similar.   Dried beef is sometimes smoked for added flavor.

 

Why do SOS recipes look so different?

Over the years families adapted SOS recipes to what they had available in the cupboard- especially during WWII, when supplies were scarce.  

Some chipped beef on toast recipes feature ground beef or other meats.  Some recipes feature a creamy white sauce, while some are more like a meat gravy, sometimes even with a dash of cayenne pepper.  

Use our Bechamel style cream sauce with Buddig chopped dried beef and amp it up with spinach, hard boiled eggs and fresh ground black pepper.

Why will you love Chipped Beef on Toast – SOS?

While the name may sound off-putting, you will love it.  Prepare SOS as a great family meal, or for anyone who loves comfort food.  You will appreciate the simplicity of the ingredients and the flavors that blend together in this dish.
 
One reason why you may love Shit on a shingle is the nostalgic feeling it evokes. Many people who have grown up in military families or have heard stories from their grandparents about the dishes served during war time have a special connection to this dish.  It reminds them of a time when food was simple, yet delicious and comforting.
 
The creamy sauce and dried beef  with the crunch of the toasted bread create a texture that is warm, hearty, and satisfying.
 

What else will you love about Chipped Beef on Toast?

 
You will love this dish for its versatility. The sauce can also be customized with different spices or herbs to suit your tastes.  It can be served on different types of bread such as white, wheat, sourdough, or biscuits instead. 
 
Lastly, Shit on a shingle is an easy dish to prepare, which makes it perfect for busy weeknights or when you need to feed a crowd.
 
The ingredients are affordable and readily available in most grocery stores, and the recipe can be made in less than thirty minutes with items that are easy to have on hand.
 
This dish has stood the test of time because of its simplicity, versatility, and comforting flavors that remind us of a time when food was a way of bringing people together.
 
 

Make Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast –  SOS

Make the Cuss Kitchen SOS, a modern take on a beautiful comfort food. This is a creamed Chipped Beef gravy, with egg, and spinach served over toast or biscuits.  Feed a crowd, create a breakfast, brunch, or lunch tradition.

Easy meal to reheat.  Have a few jars of the Buddig beef on a shelf, and it’s a easy to whip up a meal.  Additionally, it’s a great recipe to upcycle your left over Easter Eggs!

Chipped Beef is a classic, and still a family & military favorite -No Sh#t!

 

 

Chipped beef on toast
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5 from 33 votes

Sh#t on a Shingle

Delicious creamed beef, egg, and spinach over toast
Prep Time15 minutes
Active Time30 minutes
Course: Brunch
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chipped Beef, Creamed Beef, Gravy and toast, Shit on a Shingle
Yield: 12
Author: Bo Nussman

Materials

  • 1 4.5oz Armour Sliced Dried Beef
  • 1 stick Butter
  • ¾ cup Flour
  • cup Milk
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 tsp Pepper
  • 2 oz Frozen spinach, defrosted and pressed
  • 6 Hard-boiled Eggs
  • Favorite Bread, toasted

Instructions

Hard Boil Eggs

  • Fill a saucepan ⅓ full of cold water
  • Place eggs in the saucepan, being sure the eggs are covered by 1-2 inches of water
  • Turn the burner to high, and bring the water to a full rolling boil
  • Turn off the heat, cover the pan, and keep it on the burner for 12 minutes
  • Drain the eggs and allow them to cool
  • Peel, and dice the eggs and then set the eggs aside

Prepare the Spinach

  • Thaw Spinach in the microwave for 2-3 minutes
  • Drain and press the water out of the Spinach
  • Set the Spinach aside

Breakfast Gravy

  • Melt the Butter in a large pot at a low temperature
  • Chop Dried beef into small squares, and add to pot
  • Cook the Dried beef in the butter until the edges curl, and keep stirring for 3-4 minutes
  • Stir the Flour into the Dried Beef Mixture
  • Add the Milk and continue stirring as the gravy thickens
  • Cook and stir until thick and bubbly
  • Add Worcestershire sauce, and Pepper, and stir
  • Add the Hard-boiled eggs and the Spinach, and stir the mixture
  • Remove the pot from the heat

Prepare your Breakfast Plate

  • Prepare your favorite slice of toast
  • Pour a generous ladle of our breakfast gravy over the toast and serve

Brunch Cocktails


4 Responses

  1. 5 stars
    I love this and make it for my family often. Fast, easy, budget-friendly- and the leftovers are fought for the next day. I especially love the hard boiled eggs and Spinach in it- nice touch

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