Craving a comforting and classic dinner idea? Salisbury steak with onion gravy is the answer! This dish features savory ground beef patties simmered in a rich, caramelized onion gravy. It's a family-friendly favorite that's easy to prepare yet delivers on big flavor. My kids love it and just call it hamburger steak & gravy.
I usually consider this one of my winter rotation meals, but I'll be making it in the summer, too. It's just that good. It's one of the few recipes everyone in my family loves. A few other onion flavored favorites on my site include this French onion soup recipe with 3 topping ideas, this onion soup meatloaf, and these sauteed onions and mushrooms that can be a side or put on a Naan pizza.
Table of contents
Why I love this recipe
Easy Weeknight Meal: Don't let the impressive taste fool you! This recipe is a lifesaver for busy weeknights. The ingredients are simple and readily available, and the preparation is straightforward. With minimal effort, you can have a delicious and nourishing meal on the table in no time.
Delicious Flavor: This Salisbury steak with onion gravy is enjoyed by all! The savory ground beef patties go perfectly with the rich, caramelized onion gravy. The sweetness of the onions perfectly balances the savory meat, creating an irresistible flavor combination.
Family-Friendly Favorite: This dish is a crowd-pleaser! The simple flavors of the ground beef and gravy are enjoyed by many, making it a great option for feeding a family. Plus, there's room for customization - picky eaters can enjoy the hamburger steak on its own, while others can devour it smothered in gravy.
Ingredients for the Salisbury steaks
Ground beef: I like using 80% lean. If it's too lean, it tastes dry.
½ cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs (plus ¼ cup water) - The water is added to moisten the breadcrumbs.
Dry mustard for flavor. If you don't have that handy in your spice drawer, just add about 1 ½ teaspoon of your regular family favorite mustard. Or, leave it out.
Worcestershire sauce - for flavor. I always love using this when making a beef dish.
Ingredients for the gravy
A large sweet onion sliced into slivers and a little oil to fry it in.
Beef broth - canned, homemade or made with bullion. Use your family favorite.Worcestershire sauce for flavor
Cornstarch to thicken the gravy. Flour can also be used if you don't have cornstarch on hand.
Instructions
This is a simple recipe to make! Basically little meatloaf patties simmered in an onion gravy. It's so delicious!
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Step 1
Mix breadcrumbs with ¼ cup water. Set aside for 5 minutes to allow water to be absorbed by the breadcrumbs.
Step 2
In a medium-sized bowl, mix breadcrumbs, hamburger, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. I personally, have started using disposable kitchen gloves for these types of jobs. Once everything is well mixed, make 6 patties.
Step 3
Heat frying pan on medium high, and add hamburger patties. Make sure patties are spaced out. You may need to cook in two batches, depending on the size of your pan. Place the cooked steak patties on a plate and set aside.
Step 4
In a clean pan, add about 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil. Add sliced onions and cook until tender and browned. These onions are the catalyst to amazing gravy flavor!
Step 5
Add 2 cups beef stock and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce to the onions. Keep meet on a low/medium heat to keep gravy at a gentle simmer.
Step 6
In a small bowl, add about ¼ cup cold water. Add 1 heaping teaspoon of cornstarch to the cold water and stir vigorously. Add this to the beef stock mixture and stir well. Using the cold water with the cornstarch prevents your gravy from being lumpy—no one likes lumpy gravy!
Simmer for another couple of minutes and your gravy will start to thicken. Add the beef patties back into the pan and simmer a couple of minutes on each side in the gravy. If your kids don't like onions, don't let them see the onions in the gravy!
Serve with your favorite vegetable. Mashed potatoes are wonderful with this. Hint, it's the gravy! Enjoy!
Make ahead Tip
I sometimes make the meat patties the day before and also the gravy. Store them separately and then heat and simmer the patties in the gravy the day you would like to serve them. That makes this a quick meal when you are in a hurry or lets you spend less time in the kitchen when you have guests.
Storage
Salisbury Steak can be stored up to 4 days in the refrigerator. It can also be frozen. I use freezer bags so you can remove the air (to prevent freezer burn) and lay flat to freeze.
FAQs
Yes, but I would leave the patties and the gravy separate. Plan to heat and simmer them together a few minutes before serving.
Yes, ground chicken and ground turkey work well.
Simmer for a few minutes. The water will naturally evaporate and will thicken the gravy. It just may not have the gravy consistency but it will taste good!
Other Delicious Onion Flavored Recipes
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Salisbury Steak (Hamburger steak & gravy)
Ingredients
Ingredients (for the meat mixture)
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef
- ½ cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs plus ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Ingredients (for the gravy)
- 1 to 2 teaspoon veg. oil
- 1 onion thinly sliced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch plus ¼ cup cold water
Instructions
- Mix breadcrumbs with ¼ cup water. In a medium sized bowl, mix breadcrumbs, hamburger, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and beef bouillon. Honestly, you need to get those hands right in there to mix everything thoroughly. I personally, have started using disposable kitchen gloves for these types of jobs. Once everything is well mixed, make 6 patties.
- Heat frying pan on medium high, and add hamburger patties. Unless you have a HUGE pan, like I do, you may have to cook in two batches. I normally under cook meat just a bit because it will finish cooking in the gravy (yummmm!). Place the burger patties on a plate and set aside.
- I take a couple of paper towels and wipe out the meat grease.
- Then add about 2 teaspoons of oil (like a vegetable oil). Add sliced onions and cook until the onions are very tender and browned. Can I tell you I'm not a huge onion fan. And my kids can't stand onions. BUT, in this recipe, you need them. They are the catalyst to amazing gravy flavor!
- Add 2 cups beef stock, and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce to onions. Keep meet on a low/medium heat to keep gravy at a gentle simmer.
- In a small bowl, add about ¼ cup cold water. Add 1 heaping teaspoon corn starch into the cold water and stir vigorously. Add this into the beef stock mixture and stir well. Using the cold water with the corn starch is what prevents your gravy from being lumpy. No one likes lumpy gravy!
- Simmer for another couple of minutes and your gravy will start to thicken. Add the beef patties back into the pan and simmer a couple of minutes on each side in the gravy. If your kids don't like onions, don't let them see the onions in the gravy!
Notes
Can be refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 4 days.
Freezes well, however you need a sealed container and need to make sure there is no air in it (to avoid freezer burn). I usually freeze this in a freezer bag and freeze flat.
Nutrition (I am not a nutritionist. These are estimates only)
Originally published March 13, 2015.
pestep81
Susan, I would call this an oldie but a goodie. That being said I have never made it before. I know, shocking. I'm putting this on my dinner list for the week. I don't know about you but coming up with ideas for dinner is always a chore for me. Thanks for inspiring me.