Old-Fashioned Salisbury Steak is a classic comfort food—tender, flavorful beef patties served with a rich, savory gravy. It’s hearty, filling, and perfect with mashed potatoes, rice, or even steamed veggies. Here’s a simple recipe for making this nostalgic dish:
Old-Fashioned Salisbury Steak
Ingredients:
For the Salisbury Steaks:
- 1 lb ground beef (85% lean works best)
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (you can use panko for extra crispiness)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1-2 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
For the Gravy:
- 1 medium onion, sliced thinly
- 1 cup beef broth (low sodium is fine)
- 1 tbsp flour (for thickening)
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Make the Salisbury Steaks:
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, chopped onion, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together gently until just combined—don’t overmix or the steaks can become tough.
- Form the mixture into 4-6 oval-shaped patties, pressing them down lightly to create even thickness.
2. Cook the Steaks:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the patties and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through. You may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your pan.
- Once the steaks are cooked, remove them from the skillet and set them aside. Keep the skillet on the heat to make the gravy.
3. Make the Gravy:
- In the same skillet, add the sliced onions and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened and slightly caramelized.
- Sprinkle the flour over the onions and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to form a roux. This will help thicken your gravy.
- Slowly pour in the beef broth while stirring to prevent lumps. Add the Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Bring the gravy to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until it thickens to your desired consistency.
4. Combine and Simmer:
- Return the cooked Salisbury steaks to the skillet, nestling them into the gravy. Spoon some gravy over the top of the steaks.
- Cover the skillet, reduce the heat to low, and let everything simmer for about 10-15 minutes. This will allow the steaks to absorb some of the gravy flavors.
5. Serve:
- Serve the Salisbury steaks with plenty of that rich onion gravy spooned over the top. Pair with mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted veggies for a comforting, complete meal.
Tips:
- Make it ahead: You can prepare the meat mixture, shape the patties, and refrigerate them until ready to cook. This can help the flavors meld together before cooking.
- Use ground turkey or chicken: For a leaner version, swap the beef for ground turkey or chicken. Just be mindful of the seasoning, as they can be a bit more delicate.
- Gravy variation: If you want a richer gravy, you can add a splash of heavy cream toward the end of cooking. It makes the gravy extra smooth and creamy!
This classic dish is sure to take you back to home-cooked meals and family dinners. Let me know if you give it a try!