This vintage favorite is frugal but delicious. Sometimes the best recipes are born out of necessity and this one is a really quick and comforting dinner. SOS is on the table in less than 15 minutes!

This classic dinner recipe is still a favorite of my grandma’s. I would imagine if your parents or grandparents were from a certain era, they know about it too.
Some people may have their own little twists they like to put on it, mine is the addition of peas. Though mushrooms would be great too.
It is a great cheap and easy meal that is quick to get on the table. Served up some creamed beef on toast for a tasty blast from the past.
The way I came upon this recipe is still cracking me up. Grandma used to ride along with me every once in a while when I would go on a work trip.
It worked out great for both of us. I got somebody to talk to on some of the many drives around the state.
Then I drop her off at a Barnes and Noble (if it is next to a Michael’s all the better!) and I collect her and her purchases when it is time to go home. So she got some fun out of town shopping time at some of her favorite store.
It might not sound like fun to you, but you should know my grandma. She doesn’t know a stranger and will have a half dozen new friends by the time I get her.
Plus they have coffee, food and books. What more do you need?!
Usually she is sad that I am ready to go already. I don’t think she has ever once been anxious for me to come get her.
Usually she has a handful of treasures from Michael’s and a handful of books. One time a couple of years ago she had a couple of handcarts piled up and waiting for me at Barnes and Noble.
No kidding! She had Christmas darn near wrapped up with all the games and books she couldn’t pass up.

It was tradition on these trips to discuss what we were planning to make for dinner on the way home. We both mentally walked through our refrigerators and pantries and decide what we are going to throw together.
One time, she had finally decided on making salmon patties if she had the salmon. I got a phone call later that night saying she did not have the salmon so she ended up making (cover little eyes here!) shit on a shingle.
I thought she was making a joke and told her “oh no! poor grandpa!” It turns out that “SOS” is a real thing and not just her being funny.

Her mom made it for their family when she was growing up. She makes it sometimes still, including one day last week!
My parents were talking about it this weekend. They thought it was funny I didn’t know what she was talking about, because apparently they made it for me when I was little too. Who knew?

SOS is basically just chipped beef in a cream sauce served over toast (the shingle). It seems to normally be served just like that.
My mom and grandma both put peas in theirs. My dad said when he made it in college he would add a can of mixed vegetables.
I don’t remember eating it growing up, but now I am intrigued. Shit on a shingle it is!

Some of those vintage frugal recipes that were born out of need are classic comfort food favorites to this day. Along with SOS, we still enjoy favorites like scalloped corn.
My grandma also gave us our favorite Kelly’s cheese soup and pumpkin bars. What are some of your favorite recipes from grandma?
Grandma's SOS

This vintage favorite is frugal but delicious. Sometimes the best recipes are born out of necessity and this one is a really quick and comforting dinner. SOS is on the table in less than 15 minutes!
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 small package chipped beef, chopped
- 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 4 slices toast
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt butter in a skillet. Stir in flour and cook for a minute or two
- Whisk in milk until smooth. Cook over medium low heat until it starts to thicken
- Stir in peas and beef and cook until just warm
- Serve over toast
Notes
You can use browned ground beef instead of chipped beef if you prefer.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 187Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 482mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 8g
All nutritional information is estimated and will depend on the exact ingredients you use.

Twirly Girly
Saturday 18th of June 2022
This is my comfort food! If you want to elevate it a bit, serve it in a savory Dutch Baby (a.k.a. German pancake). I have two 6.5" cast iron skillets that are the perfect size for making individual Dutch Babies. These smaller Dutch Babies cook in a 425° oven in 12-15 minutes:about the same amount of time it will take to make the creamed chipped beef with peas!
Carlee
Saturday 18th of June 2022
That sounds perfect!
Caroline
Monday 28th of February 2022
SOS, Your Grandmother's recipe made me smile. My dad was in the Air Force so we had SOS a lot. The Enlisted Military should be paid a lot more, sadly they aren't and SOS is a less-costly dinner to make. My dad was the cook in the family and he passed away on active duty in 1966 during the Vietnam War. I was a teenager and sadly I did not get his recipe from him. So I am thrilled to get your grandmother's and try it. We only had it with hamburger meat, so that's what I will use too. Thank you kindly for your Gr. Mother's recipe and for sharing all your other recipes. My family has enjoyed them all. Your son is cute too.
Carlee
Monday 28th of February 2022
I am so service you dad was lost in active duty. I hope this brings a small piece of him back to you. I have seen it done with hamburger as well, I will do it that way next time in your family's honor.
Larry
Sunday 28th of February 2021
Wish you had a link to follow you on Pinterest. i had SOS for 24 years in the Army and still make it with sausage or hamburger, but never had I even heard having peas in it. i will most definitely try it. Thank you
Carlee
Sunday 28th of February 2021
I hope you enjoy the peas in it! You can follow me at Pinterest here: https://www.pinterest.com/CookingwCarlee/_created/ Thank you!
Amy
Saturday 15th of February 2020
I love that you took your grandma on road trips while you were working. I think that that was a win win. What a wonderful way to spend some time together. She does sound like a very fun lady. We had this dish growing up, but we called it chipped beef on toast - a little boring compared to what your grandma calls it, but still a stable classic in the kitchen!
Rue
Thursday 12th of February 2015
Hehehehe..... I knew exactly what it was! I loved that story. Your grandma seems like a really fun lady :)
Carlee
Friday 13th of February 2015
She is! She is the best!