This classic Salisbury steak recipe features juicy beef patties, savory onion and mushroom gravy, and classic comfort food flavor, for a family-friendly dinner that’s anything but bland!
What Is Salisbury Steak?
Despite the name, Salisbury steak is actually a seasoned ground beef patty served with a rich brown gravy. This classic comfort food became popular because it was an affordable way to stretch thrifty ingredients into a hearty meal. It’s usually served with with mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles, so there’s plenty of something to soak up all that delicious gravy.
Salisbury steak sometimes gets a bad rap as being boring or bland, but when made from scratch, it is anything but! The brown gravy is tangy and flavorful, the meat is thick and juicy, and the caramelized onions and mushrooms add a little extra pop. This is NOT the Salisbury steak that you had in the school cafeteria growing up!
We made this dish for the kids earlier this week and they absolutely loved it – even more than I expected! This is definitely going to be a staple on our dinner rotation from now on!
Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner or are craving a taste of a nostalgic home cooked favorite, this easy Salisbury Steak recipe is a winner!
Patty Ingredients
- Protein: Hamburger meat
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, beef bouillon, onion powder, black pepper
- Pantry: Bread crumbs, Worcestershire sauce
Gravy Ingredients
- Produce: Sliced onions, sliced mushrooms
- Dairy: Butter
- Pantry: Cooking oil, flour, Worcestershire sauce, beef bone broth, salt, pepper
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Helpful Kitchen Tools
Instructions
- Prepare the Veggies РSlice and saut̩ two medium onions with 1 TB of oil and 1 TB butter, until caramelized. Scoop the onions into a bowl and set aside. Cook the mushrooms the same way you cooked the onions. Once the mushrooms are soft, scoop them into the holding bowl with the caramelized onions.
- Make the Patties – Combine all of the patty ingredients and divide into 6-8 equal portions; you want them to be about the size of your palm and less than an inch thick. A food scale is helpful for making equal portions, or you can eyeball it.
- Cook the Patties – Add two tablespoons of cooking oil to the skillet over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add 3-4 patties and cook 4-6 minutes on each side. You want them to be crispy on the outside, but not quite cooked through. Do not crowd the pan; you may need to cook in batches. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make the Gravy – Add 2 TB oil and 4 TB butter to the skillet you cooked the patties in (the meat drippings add flavor). Once the butter melts, add 2 TB of flour and stir until the flour starts to brown. Slowly add the broth and keep stirring until the clumps work out. Once smooth, add the Worcestershire sauce and beef bouillon, and salt and pepper.
- Combine – Place the cooked patties in the pan of gravy (it’s ok to crowd the pan now). Add the onions and mushrooms. Simmer over medium low heat for 20-30 minutes until the gravy reduces and the meat is cooked through.
Prep Tips
- Ground Beef: An 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef blend provides the best flavor while still holding together well during cooking. Extra lean beef may dry out during cooking, while high-fat blends may make the gravy too greasy.
- Brown First: Searing the patties before adding the gravy creates extra flavor and helps them hold their shape. Don’t skip this step!
- Mushroom Option: Not a mushroom fan? Leave them out and make a simple onion gravy instead.
- Make Ahead: The patties can be shaped up to 24 hours in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator until ready to cook.
- Gravy Consistency: If the gravy becomes too thick, whisk in a splash of beef broth. If it’s too thin, let it simmer a few minutes longer.
- Serving Ideas: Salisbury steak is delicious served over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles to soak up the rich gravy.
More Ground Beef Recipes To Try
- Old-Fashioned Meatloaf with Oatmeal
- Baked BBQ Meatballs
- Porcupine Meatballs
- Tex-Mex Ground Beef Enchiladas
- Homemade Lasagna
- West Virginia Hot Dog Sauce
Classic Salisbury Steak Recipe (Printable Recipe Card)
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Old Fashioned Salisbury Steak Recipe
Equipment
- Large cast iron skillet
Ingredients
Patty Ingredients
- 2 lbs hamburger meat
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon beef bouillion
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1 TB Worcestershire sauce
Gravy Ingredients
- 2 medium onions sliced
- 8 oz sliced mushrooms
- 2 TB oil
- 4 TB butter
- 2 TB flour
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 quart beef bone broth
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Veggies
- Slice and sauté two medium onions with 1 TB of oil and 1 TB butter, until caramelized. Scoop the onions into a bowl and set aside.
- Cook the mushrooms the same way you cooked the onions. Once the mushrooms are soft, scoop them into the holding bowl with the caramelized onions.
Make the Patties
- Add all of the patty ingredients in a medium bowl and mix until well combined.
- Divide into 6-8 equal portions; you want them to be about the size of your palm and less than an inch thick.
Cook the Patties
- Add two tablespoons of cooking oil to the skillet over medium heat.
- Once the pan is hot, add 3-4 patties and cook 4-6 minutes on each side. You want them to be crispy on the outside, but not quite cooked through. Do not crowd the pan; you may need to cook in batches.
- Remove from skillet and set aside.
Make the Gravy
- Add 2 TB oil and 3 TB butter to the skillet you cooked the patties in (the meat drippings add flavor).
- Once the butter melts, add 2 TB of flour and stir until the flour starts to brown.
- Slowly add the broth and keep stirring until the clumps work out.
- Once smooth, add the Worcestershire sauce and beef bouillon, and salt and pepper.
Combine and Finish Cooking
- Place the cooked patties in the pan of gravy (it's ok to crowd the pan now). Add the onions and mushrooms.
- Simmer over medium low heat for 20-30 minutes until the gravy reduces and the meat is cooked through.
Notes
- Ground Beef: Use 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef for the best flavor and texture.
- Brown First: Searing the patties before adding the gravy creates extra flavor and better texture.
- Mushrooms: Omit the mushrooms if preferred and make a simple onion gravy.
- Make Ahead: Shape the patties up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate until ready to cook.
- Gravy: Add broth if too thick, or simmer longer if too thin.
- Serve With: Mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.
Nutrition
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