Classic Chipped Beef on Toast Recipe (S.O.S) (2024)

FAQs

Why is chipped beef on toast called SOS? ›

sh*t on a Shingle might not sound dinner-appropriate, but it's definitely breakfast-appropriate. The unofficial term—abbreviated as “S.O.S.”—became popular slang among American soldiers during World War II. It refers to “cream chipped beef on toast,” a dish that's been featured in Army cookbooks for over 100 years.

Melt butter in the same sauce pan. Add flour and stir until butter/flour mixture is bubbly. Add milk, salt, and pepper. Stir constantly until thick and bubbly.

Dried beef, also called chipped beef, is beef that has been partially dried, salt-cured and thinly sliced. You can easily enjoy this cured meat as an appetizer, snack or meal. Dried beef has a rich past but is a relatively obscure meat product in most parts of the country today.

SKIM MILK, CHIPPED BEEF CHUNKED AND FORMED (BEEF, SALT, SODIUM ERYTHORBATE, SODIUM NITRITE, AND BHT, TBHQ, CITRIC ACID ADDED TO PROTECT FLAVOR), WATER, SOYBEAN OIL, 2% OR LESS OF MODIFIED CORNSTARCH, BLEACHED WHEAT FLOUR, WHEY, POTASSIUM SALT, LACTOSE, SEASONING (MALTODEXTRIN, FLAVOR, ENZYME MODIFIED BUTTERFAT), ...

The gravy is often flavored with black pepper. A variation of the dish served in the US military is sometimes referred to as "SOS" which means "sh*t on a shingle", and is prepared with either biscuits or toast, and has been a military comfort food for over 100 years.

Even on busy mornings, afternoons, and nights, restaurant kitchen staff know that "SOS" isn't a distress signal. Rather, this shorthand is vital in communicating a particular customer's preference regarding condiments. SOS merely indicates that a patron asked for their sauce on the side.

Chipped Beef AKA Dried Beef: Beef that has been salted, pressed, dried, and sliced thin. It's often called dried beef or Buddig beef. (Buddig is one of the most popular brands.) Since it's dried, it is not usually found in the deli section of the grocery store.

In the United States, chipped beef on toast was commonly served to service members of the United States Armed Forces from World War I through Vietnam. It was considered emblematic of the military experience and consequently also served to Boy Scouts of the era.

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.

If you can't find the jarred dried beef, substitute any sliced deli beef (roast or corned beef would be excellent), even using uncured meat if desired. Leftover roast beef, bacon, shredded pork, or even leftover rotisserie chicken would be a great meal here, though with different flavors and depth.

What is creamed chipped beef made of? ›

Chipped beef is pressed, salted, and dried beef. The thin, flexible slices are usually sold in glass jars. Creamed chipped beef (often called SOS) is chipped beef cooked in a cream sauce. A popular meal in the military, the comforting dish is traditionally served over toast.

1 Serving of creamed chipped beef (Signature Classics - Stouffer's) contains 130 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 25% carbs, 50% fat, and 25% protein. This is a good source of protein (14% of your Daily Value).

While the dish's exact origins cannot be determined, some argue that SOS can be traced to a pre-World War I Army “Chipped Beef” recipe that appeared in the 1910 Manual for Army Cooks. Due to its enduring popularity, SOS can now be found in many a Navy cookbook.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat; stir in the ground beef, chicken bouillon, garlic powder, black pepper, and onion powder. Cook and stir until the beef is crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink, about 7 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.

Apparently, it goes back to old London rhyming slang. Londoners used to cry “hot beef!” (rhymes with: “stop thief!”) to raise the alarm in a touch-and-go situation. “Beef” came to be equated with “to shout”, and it evolved from there to represent what we know it as in its modern form.