You Can Taste The Tradition With Our Family Favorite Dried Chipped Beef

written by

Nolan Masser

posted on

May 18, 2022

Our family has been enjoying dried chipped beef for generations, and we are proud to bring it to a wider audience with our very own pasture raised beef. 

Like so many families, we feel especially connected to each other and our heritage when we eat certain foods. Enjoying the same tastes as prior generations is important and allows us to pass down memories. 

Foods like dried chipped beef have always been a part of our lives, and we love sharing them with you. 

What is Dried Chipped Beef?

Dried chipped beef is a treat that originates in the Pennsylvania Dutch community here in Pennsylvania. It consists of a piece of top round that has been salted and dried, then sliced into eighth of an inch thick slices. All dried chipped beef is delicious, but our pasture raised beef makes an extra flavorful version. 

The pieces of dried beef are not quite as dry as beef jerky and have a distinct salty, beefy flavor. Though you could eat dried chipped beef as is, we believe cooked is the best way to enjoy this delicacy. 

How to Cook Dried Chipped Beef 

In our family, we enjoy dried chipped beef in a rich cream sauce. This dish is also known as creamed chipped beef, or, in some households, as “SOS (S**t on a Shingle). It’s a creamy, meaty dish that’s similar to sausage gravy.

Our method to make creamed chipped beef couldn’t be easier. When we get to the kitchen, we begin by frying the pieces of dried beef in butter over medium heat. Then we mix in a quarter cup of flour to form a roux, and finally we add whole milk and heat the mixture to form a thick gravy.

We find that our grass fed beef is flavorful enough on its own to season the dish, but it’s also great with lots of freshly ground pepper, paprika, or other spices. 

Once the mixture has thickened, we like to gather together as a family and serve creamed chipped beef over toast or, better yet, a plain Norwis potato boiled with or without its jacket. It’s farm cooking at its best! 

Why You Should Try Dried Chipped Beef 

Dried chipped beef is the ultimate comfort food. There is something about the combination of creamy gravy, salted beef, and warm potatoes that is irresistible. 

We’ve been eating dried chipped beef since we were kids and now our kids love it as well. No matter how much gets made, there are never leftovers. A dish that can please the whole family is definitely one worth trying. 

Like we said above, food is closely connected to memory and feeling for us. We raise our beef and potatoes like our grandparents did because we value tradition and history. We want to bring back those feelings of community and connection to our food. It’s that same motivation that inspired us to offer dried chipped beef.

Creamed chipped beef may not be part of your family tradition, but there is always time to start a new one! Give it a try and let us know what you think. Better yet, also share one of your favorite family recipes with us. We are always looking to learn about a new culture.

More from the blog

Are Antibiotics in Meat Harming Your Health?

Antibiotics have been used in commercial farming since 1948, but at what cost? While they help animals grow faster, they also raise serious concerns about antibiotic resistance, meat quality, and long-term health effects. Many conventional farms routinely give antibiotics to livestock, leaving trace residues in the meat we eat. But there’s a better way. At Red Hill Harvest, we take a different approach—raising animals on pasture, prioritizing their health naturally, and ensuring our meat is free from unnecessary antibiotics. Learn why choosing antibiotic-free meat matters for your health, the environment, and the quality of your food. Read on to uncover the truth.

February 22, 2025: Price Increase

As you can see from the title, we are raising our prices. This decision was challenging and carefully considered over the past three months. As I’ve mentioned before, one of our core values is transparency, and part of this value involves being upfront about matters we find difficult to share. Here’s what you need to know - Beginning next Saturday, February 22nd, we will implement an average price increase of 23% on all our Grass-fed Beef products. Some cuts of beef will significantly increase, while others will experience minor or no changes. What brings on this price increase? Butchering Cost - As you probably know, most companies' labor costs have increased dramatically over the past few years. Butchering is a very labor-intensive task, and the price of that labor is high, especially for the local, family-owned butcher shops that we choose to support. Packaging - In late spring of 2024, we paid $20 per insulated cooler. In 2025, we are paying almost $23 per insulated cooler, a 14% increase in just 10 months. Cattle Prices -  This is the most significant price change and the largest driver of the price increase. This humongous price leap is primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the summer of 2020, many processing facilities closed for a few months. This simple shutdown risked overloading the delicate system with an unmanageable number of cattle. Ranchers saw this and quickly culled their herds and stopped breeding more animals. Alongside a drought in the West, the US Beef Herd is the smallest it's been since 1951. Since raising a cow from calf to finish weight takes almost three years, we have yet to see the numbers return. The unbalance of supply and demand has caused our replacement cattle prices to skyrocket to record numbers. For instance, in 2020, cattle feeder prices were around $1.08/lb. (These are 500# animals brought to our farm for us to take to finish weight) Now, in 2025, the price is $2.68/lb—quite a significant increase. How you can save There are still plenty of ways to save. First, we will postpone all price increases until next Saturday. This way, you can stock up on our Grass-fed Beef at its current price. Bulk Bundles - We will still offer bulk bundles crafted to save us money because of packing efficiencies and overstocked items. As you are a valued partner of our farm, we will continue to pass these savings on to you. Sales - Stay alert for sales and offerings throughout the year. We have a sale planned for almost every month! Refer a friend - We want you to share our products with the world! Use this link to refer friends and get $20 in-store credit when they place their first order!  We truly do appreciate your support of our farm. If you have any questions about this price increase, please do not hesitate to contact us! We pride ourselves on providing your family with delicious, healthy, and, most importantly, trustworthy food, and we would love to continue to do so for many years to come! Your Farmers, The Red Hill Harvest Family