Pan-fried and saucy, this easy Hamburger Steak with Gravy recipe is a go-to comfort food dinner for those busy weeknights. These smothered hamburger steaks take less than one hour to make and will be a family favorite. Serve them over whipped mashed potatoes, it’s heaven!
Hamburger Steaks and Gravy is a true comfort food meal! The combination of tender, juicy patties and savory, luscious gravy, it makes for a family dinner favorite!
I made this smothered hamburger steaks recipe perfect for a busy weeknight dinner recipe that tastes gourmet. Everything is made in one skillet with just 10 ingredients and cooks up in less than one hour. Sounds like a dream, right!
To elevate your hamburger steaks and gravy, consider serving them with Whipped Mashed Potatoes and Crispy Green Beans! They complement the richness of the dish. Fluffy rice, noodles or mashed cauliflower are also great accompaniments.
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Hamburger Steaks and Gravy vs. Salisbury Steak
You may think this is called Salisbury steak, but hamburger steaks with gravy are actually different. Hamburger steaks are just how they sound, a seasoned ground beef patty like a burger (I add extra seasonings to mine for more flavor!).
Salisbury steak is made almost more like meatloaf. The ground beef patty usually includes egg as well as breadcrumbs and ketchup. Plus seasonings like Worcestershire and spices.
A quick fun fact, Salisbury steak is named after Dr. J.H. Salisbury, an American physician who advocated for a minced beef patty as part of a healthful diet in the late 19th century.
Both hamburger steak recipes are served with a similar mushroom and onion gravy that smothers the steaks and keeps them moist. A true comfort food!
Why You’ll like this Recipe
- Comforting and decadent: Smothered and covered in a rich, luscious gravy, it's comfort food heaven!
- Just 10 ingredients: It has simple ingredients and is easy to make!
- Cheap easy meal: At less than $15 (where I live), it's a budget-friendly dinner option!
- Takes less than one hour: From start to finish this recipe will take less than one hour, perfect for a busy weeknight!
Ingredients in Hamburger Steak with Gravy
Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below
- Ground Beef: Adds a rich and savory flavor to these patties. The fat content is depends on the variety of beef chosen. It's affordable and a great source of protein.
- Milk: The calcium-rich properties of milk react with enzymes in the meat to gently soften the proteins of the beef.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Offers a well-balanced blend of umami, sweetness, tanginess, and savory depth of flavor.
- Dried Minced Onion: A convenient ingredient to use, instead of chopping fresh onions. It packs a concentrated onion flavor and rounds out the sharpness that fresh onion can sometimes yield.
- Steak Seasoning: While I prefer a Montreal Steak Seasoning or Buttery Steakhouse blend, there are many on the market. All of them are a blend of herbs, spices, and seasonings that enhance the flavor of beef.
- Garlic Powder: This adds a nuanced savoriness and flavor.
- Butter: Contributes to the rich and savory flavors of caramelizing the beef and mushrooms.
- Mushrooms: Adds another hearty, meat-like component to the dish while being low in calories.
- All-Purpose Flour: Thickens the sauce to the perfect gravy texture.
- Beef Broth: Increases the beefy flavor or the dish and creates an incredible gravy for saucing up mashed potatoes or noodles.
Tools You’ll Need
How to Make Hamburger Steak Recipe
- In a large bowl, combine beef, milk, Worcestershire sauce, onions, steak seasoning, and garlic powder. Mix until combined.
- Shape into 4 round, ¾-inch patties. If desired, season both sides with salt and pepper or steak seasoning.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Once hot, sear the hamburger steaks 5-6 minutes per side, until an internal temperature minimum of 160°F is reached or to desired doneness. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- To the skillet, add remaining butter. Once melted, add sliced mushroom and sauté until tender, about 3 minutes.
- Sprinkle flour over the mushrooms and stir to combine well. After 1 minute, pour in broth, and stir until smooth, scraping up any small bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer 3-4 minutes to thicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Nestle the hamburger steaks in the gravy, and simmer a minute.
- Serve gravy on top of the hamburger steak with your favorite sides.
Tips and Substitutions
- Don't overwork the meat when mixing together the ingredients. This can yield a tough hamburger steak. Mix "just" until combined.
- Don't overcook the patties. Set a timer for the flips and measure with an internal meat thermometer to confirm doneness.
- If you would like to add extra creaminess the gravy, you can add a can of cream of mushroom soup, Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup or ½ cup sour cream.
- Shredded Swiss, gruyere or Monterey Jack cheeses are excellent toppers to this dish!
What to Serve with Hamburger Steak and Gravy
I love to serve this easy hamburger steak recipe with a vegetable side. Some of my side dish recommendations are below:
- Steamed Broccoli
- Pan-Seared Asparagus
- House Salad
- Asparagus with Herbs
- Crispy Green Beans
- Cooked Canned Green Beans
Storage
- After leftovers have completely cooked, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
- Leftover can be stored in a freezer-safe, airtight container up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both names are often used interchangeably but there are a couple of differences:
- The Salisbury steak mixture often contains more binding agents like eggs to hold its shape.
- Hamburger steaks are typically cooked by pan-frying or grilling, whereas Salisbury steaks are often cooked by baking or braising in a skillet or in the oven.
- Hamburger Steak is commonly associated with American cuisine and reminiscent of a hamburger patty without the bun. Salisbury steak is named after Dr. J.H. Salisbury, an American physician who advocated for a minced beef patty as part of a healthful diet in the late 19th century.
No. You can omit the mushrooms or substitute with another vegetable like onions or bell pepper.
Yes! You can sauté sliced onion along with the mushrooms. Adjust the gravy ingredients as necessary.
The main difference is the absence of a bun. Hamburger steaks are often larger in size and shaped into oval or rectangular patties. Additionally, hamburger steaks are typically served with a savory gravy or sauce.
Yes! You can add additional ingredients such as garlic, soy sauce, or herbs like thyme or rosemary to enhance the flavor. Some people also like to add a splash of wine or vinegar for a tangy twist.
While hamburger steaks are traditionally made with ground beef, it is possible to use other ground meats or a combination of meats. The choice of meat can alter the flavor and texture of the hamburger steaks.
More Beef Recipes Like This
- Basic Burgers and Potato Wedges
- 6-Ingredient Beef Tips
- Slow Cooker Pork Roast and Gravy
- Hamburger Steaks with Brown Gravy
Easy Hamburger Steaks and Gravy Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb ground beef
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
- 1 teaspoon steak seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons butter divided
- 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 14 ½ ounces beef broth
- Salt and Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine beef, milk, Worcestershire sauce, onions, steak seasoning, and garlic powder. Mix until combined well then shape into 4 round, ¾-inch patties. If desired, season both sides with salt and pepper or steak seasoning.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Once hot, sear the hamburger steaks 5-6 minutes per side, until an internal temperature minimum of 160°F is reached or to desired doneness. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- To the skillet, add remaining butter. Once melted, add sliced mushroom and sauté until tender, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle flour over the mushrooms and stir to combine well. After 1 minute, pour in broth, and stir until smooth, scraping up any small bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer 3-4 minutes to thicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Nestle the hamburger steaks in the gravy, and simmer a minute.
- Serve gravy on top of the hamburger steak with your favorite sides.
Video
Notes
- Don't overwork the meat when mixing together the ingredients. This can yield a tough hamburger steak. Mix "just" until combined.
- Don't overcook the patties. Set a timer for the flips and measure with an internal meat thermometer to confirm doneness.
- If you would like to add extra creaminess the gravy, you can add a can of cream of mushroom soup, Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup or ½ cup sour cream.
- Shredded Swiss, gruyere or Monterey Jack cheeses are excellent toppers to this dish!
Bessie
your directions are messed up. step 1 and 2 are the same
Laura Ashley
Thank you for letting me know, Bessie. I’ve fixed that and will be remaking/reposting this recipe again soon!
Joan Dutill
So easy and delicious. It turned out exactly as the pictures.
Laura Ashley
YAY!! That makes my heart so happy to hear, Joan! THANK YOU so much!
Elaine Cope
These were so delicious. My hubby can sometimes be fussy about this type of meal, but he raved on about how tasty it was. Very simple and a rather easy meal to make. Yum!
Laura Ashley
That is FANTASTIC!! I'm so excited that you made it and that both of you liked it so much! THANK YOU!!! 🙂
Debra D Nava
People nowadays don't even cook let alone use cast iron! It tickled me to see you using it. Bet your mama or grandma were good cooks!
Laura Ashley
Aww! Thank you so much! I'm so happy you liked it too. Yes, my mom and mamaw are amazing cooks!
Carol
Made this for dinner tonite! It was so good! Thanks for a great recipe!
Laura Ashley
That’s WONDERFUL!! Thank you SO much! I’m so happy you mad it and it was a hit!