Why is it called “Shit on a Shingle”?

This slang comes from U.S. military tradition. “Shit” refers to the creamy beef mixture, and “shingle” refers to the toast. It may sound crude, but it’s a name full of history and nostalgia.

Can I use regular beef instead of chipped beef?

Yes! You can substitute chipped beef with thinly sliced roast beef, deli meat, or cooked ground beef. Just season it well to mimic the salty flavor of traditional dried beef.

What are the ingredients in Shit on a Shingle?

The classic version includes: Butter Flour Milk Dried chipped beef Toast Pepper (and sometimes parsley or hot sauce for garnish) Some modern versions swap the beef or add extra flavor.

Why does my creamed beef turn out too thick or too runny?

It usually depends on how you cook the roux and add the milk. To fix it: - Too thick? Add a splash of milk and stir. - Too thin? Let it simmer a bit longer or add a tiny bit more flour while whisking well.

Shit on a Shingle – Easy Military-Style Comfort Food

Ingredients

Scale

2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1 jar (2.5 oz) dried chipped beef, chopped
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
4 slices of toasted white or sourdough bread
Optional: chopped parsley or hot sauce for garnish

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Instructions

In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to form a roux.
Slowly whisk in milk until smooth.
Add chopped chipped beef and stir. Cook for 5–7 minutes until thickened.
Season with pepper.
Serve hot over toast. Garnish as desired.

Notes

You can substitute chipped beef with ground beef, deli roast beef, or shredded chicken.
Add hot sauce or a poached egg on top for extra flavor.
Make it lighter with low-fat milk or gluten-free with cornstarch and GF bread.

Author: Larrouy Kary
Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 10 min
Category: Breakfast, Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 slices with sauce
Calories: 380 kcal
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 950 mg
Fat: 21 g
Saturated Fat: 10 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 26 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 18 g
Cholesterol: 60 mg