Dive into comfort with my Easy Salisbury Steak Recipe, a hearty blend of seasoned ground beef smothered in rich brown gravy. My recipe is based off the old fashioned version and is made in 45 minutes using only 10 ingredients! It's the perfect comfort food for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners!
With just a few simple ingredients (many that are already in your pantry) and easy-to-follow steps, you can whip up a delicious batch of Salisbury steaks with gravy. Whether you're cooking for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this feel-good-food is bound to become a family favorite.
This old fashioned homemade easy dinner recipe, is always requested when someone is wanting comfort food for dinner. Made in one skillet, this Salisbury steak recipe requires little cleanup and is quick to make getting dinner on the table in just 45 minutes!
It's essential to pair these Salisbury steaks with a side that can soak up the savory juices and gravy. Rice and pasta are excellent bases, but on top of Whipped Mashed Potatoes is our favorite...and highly recommended!
Table of Contents
Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Comfort Food Heaven: Salisbury steaks with brown gravy is wholesome and classic comfort food. It's one of those meals that brings back fond childhood memories!
- 10 Ingredient Dinner: This old fashioned recipe requires simple ingredients and basic cooking techniques.
- Budget Friendly: Salisbury steaks are an affordable meal option, as ground beef is often less expensive than other cuts of meat.
- Versatility: This simple salisbury steak can easily be customized. They can be made with different types of ground meat, such as beef, turkey, or chicken, and seasoned with various herbs and spices. They also pair with so many side dishes!
Ingredients
Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below
- Ground Beef: The main protein that provides flavor, texture, and substance.
- Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: Add savory depth and aroma to the hamburger steaks.
- Bell Peppers and Yellow Onion: These add sweetness, crunch, and a hint of bitterness, balancing out the richness of the ground beef.
- Egg: Adds moisture and acts as a binding agent, helping to hold the ingredients together.
- Cracker Crumbs: Serves as a filler and helps to absorb excess moisture from the other ingredients. They also add texture and help bind the hamburger steak mixture together.
- Brown Gravy Mix: Provides the base for the savory beef gravy. It adds depth of flavor, richness, and a velvety texture to the gravy.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds complexity and umami flavor to the hamburger steak mixture.
Tools You'll Need
How to make Easy Salisbury Steaks
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, bell pepper, onion, cracker crumbs, and the egg. Mix until fully incorporated.
- Pat out into 8 even patties (ยฝ-3/4 inch thick).
- Heat a skillet on medium-high heat and add oil. Once hot, add the patties 3-4 at a time (working in batches if needed). Fry 5 minutes on both sides, then transfer patties to a plate. Carefully pour off excess grease into a bowl between cooking batches.
- Once the patties have been cooked, drain all but 1 tablespoon of the pan drippings. Whisk in 2 cups water, scraping up any solid bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add the brown gravy packets and Worcestershire sauce and mix well.
- When the gravy begins to thicken, return the cooked patties and simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until the beef is cooked through.
- Serve the hamburger steaks and brown gravy over mashed potatoes or your favorite variety or noodles or rice.
Expert Tips and Substitutions
- Mixing Technique: Don't overwork the meat when mixing together the ingredients. This can yield a tough hamburger steak. Mix "just" until combined.
- Cook Time: Don't overcook the patties. Set a timer for the flips and measure with an internal meat thermometer to confirm doneness.
- Creamy Gravy: 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 ยฝ cup sour cream. Dijon mustard can add a zippy flavor.
- Homemade Gravy: If youโd rather omit the gravy packets and make the gravy from scratch, you can use this simple recipe:
- Reserve ยผ cup grease or butter in the skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add ยผ cup all purpose flour to the grease and whisk continuously until the mixture turns golden brown and starts to smell nutty, about 2-3 minutes.
- Slowly pour in 2 cups beef broth or beef stock while whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
- Add 1-2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency, stirring occasionally, about 5-7 minutes.
- Mushrooms and Onions: These are an excellent topper for Salisbury steak. After the steaks have cooked, in the same skillet, add 1 sliced onion and 8 ounces sliced mushrooms. Cook until softened and browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the skillet and prepare the gravy as directed.
- Bread Crumbs: You can opt to use panko breadcrumbs or crushed croutons instead of cracker crumbs.
- Gluten Free: Use a gluten-free bread crumb and make the gravy from scratch using a gluten-free flour.
What to Serve with this Easy Salisbury Steak Recipe
Salisbury steaks and gravy pairs well with a variety of sides Whipped Mashed Potatoes are my go-to starch, but rice or egg noodles also excellent! Other vegetable side dishes that add freshness, crunch, and color are my Easy Cooked Vegetables, Crispy Green Beans, or a simple side salad.
Storage and Freezing
For the Fridge: If you have leftover cooked Salisbury steaks or if you've made them in advance, allow them to cool to room temperature. Then, transfer the steaks to an airtight container or wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
For the Freezer: You can freeze them as well. Wrap each individual cooked Salisbury steak tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place them in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Fresh up to 2-3 months. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
To Reheat Salisbury Steaks: Place them in a microwave-safe dish and cover loosely with a damp paper towel. Microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat Salisbury steaks in a skillet over medium heat, adding a bit of beef broth or gravy to prevent them from drying out.
Frequently Asked Questions
For a homemade Salisbury steak recipe, itโsย generally recommended to use ground beef with a higher fat content, such as 80/20 or 85/15. The fat helps keep the patties moist and flavorful during cooking.
Yes, you can substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef if you prefer. However, keep in mind that poultry tends to be leaner than beef, so you may need to add extra moisture or a binding agent to prevent the patties from becoming dry. They will also likely need 3-4 minutes per side followed by 5-10 minutes in the prepared gravy.
To prevent Salisbury steaks from falling apart, make sure to thoroughly mix the ground beef with any binders (such as breadcrumbs or egg) and seasonings. Also, handle the patties gently when forming them, and avoid over-mixing the meat mixture.
Yes, you can prepare Salisbury steaks ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze them until ready to cook. If refrigerating, store the uncooked patties in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. If freezing, wrap each patty individually in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Salisbury steak is named after Dr. James H Salisbury, an American physician and early advocate of a low-carbohydrate diet for health reasons. He created Salisbury steak in the late 19th century as a high-protein dish for his patients. While it's named after him, the concept of minced meat patties predates the version Dr. James Salisbury popularized. Over time, the dish evolved into what we now know as Salisbury steak.
Try these other Gravy Favorites
- Beef Tips and Gravy
- Crockpot Chicken and Gravy
- Easy Hamburger Steak and Gravy
- Crockpot Pork Roast and Gravy
Easy Salisbury Steak Recipe
Ingredients
- 2-2 ยฝ pounds ground beef
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- ยฝ cup chopped bell peppers
- ยฝ cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup cracker crumbs
- 2 0.87 ounce packages brown gravy mix regular or low sodium
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, seasonings, bell pepper, onion, cracker crumbs, and the egg. Mix until fully incorporated.
- Pat out into 8 even patties (ยฝ-3/4 inch thick).ย
- Heat a skillet on medium-high heat and add oil. Once hot, add the patties 3-4 at a time (working in batches if needed). Fry 5 minutes on both sides, then transfer to a plate. Carefully pour off excess grease into a bowl between cooking batches.
- Once the patties have been cooked, drain all but 1 tablespoon of the grease. Whisk in 2 cups water, scraping up any solid bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add the brown gravy packets and Worcestershire sauce and mix well.ย
- When the gravy begins to thicken, return the hamburger steaks and simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until the beef is cooked through.
- Serve the hamburger steaks and brown gravy over mashed potatoes or your favorite variety or noodles or rice.
Kathleen
Delicious! It reminded me of how my Grandma used to make Salisbury steak!
Laura Ashley
Aww! That makes my heart so happy to hear!
Jules
This is one of my family's favorite recipes. Even though it's the perfect comfort dish recipe, I'll be making it all year long.
Laura Ashley
AWESOME!! I hope you get the warm and fuzzies each time!
Mindi
So good! If I could give it ten stars I would!!
Laura Ashley
YAYAY!! That makes my heart so happy!
Brooke
It was very good! My toddler even loved it! I did put fresh mushrooms in the gravy with made it so delicious!
Laura Ashley
Thank you so much!! ๐ I'm so happy it was a hit!
Amanda
Fantastic recipe! I made it gluten-free for my celiac hubby and 2 grown nephews. Used gf breadcrumbs and Pioneer GF gravy packets. Got rave reviews from all!! Winner in my book!!
Laura Ashley
That is AMAZING! Thank you so much!! I love that you made it and that those substitutes worked great too!