Ultimately cozy and comforting Salisbury Steak comes together in under 35 minutes making it a classic weeknight meal. These hamburger steaks drenched in mushroom gravy are best served over mashed potatoes. It’s a classic family-friendly meal.
Salisbury Steak
Since it first gained TV dinner popularity back in the 1950s this dish has only gained comfort food momentum. With its easy-to-prepare instructions and pantry and refrigerator staple ingredients, you might just fall in love with it too.
What is Salisbury Steak?
A version of hamburger steak, Salisbury steak is made of ground beef and breadcrumbs as well as other pantry ingredients that make it into more of a meatloaf-like texture. Typically served with mushroom gravy or brown sauce, this now-classic dinner originated in the United States.
What is the difference between Salisbury steak and hamburger steak?
Though they are both similar the hamburger steak traditionally contains only ground beef and seasonings, whereas the Salisbury steak contains breadcrumbs, egg, ketchup, and seasoning. Many recipes are very similar though and the terms can be used almost interchangeably since both are cooked in a gravy-like sauce.
Ingredients in Salisbury Steak
This recipe is broken down into two components with the first being the steak and the second the mushroom gravy. One of the best features of this recipe is the common combination of ingredients. Most of the items below are pantry staples or standard refrigerator ingredients.
Salisbury Steak
- Ground Beef
- Onion
- Breadcrumbs
- Garlic
- Egg
- Ketchup
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Dijon Mustard
- Olive Oil
Gravy
- Olive Oil
- Mushrooms
- Onion
- Beef Broth
- Ketchup
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Cornstarch
- Water
How to Make Salisbury Steak
- Prepare the Steaks: combine the ingredients for the steaks and use your hand to form round patties. Cook the patties over melted butter in a skillet. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Mushrooms and Onions: sauté the mushrooms and onions in olive oil and use a slotted spoon to remove.
- Make the Gravy: mix a slurry by combining the cornstarch and warm water and then add to the skillet along with the other gravy ingredients. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low.
- Simmer: add the steaks and mushrooms and onions back to the skillet and simmer until the gravy thickens. Serve over mashed potatoes.
What to Serve with Salisbury Steak?
The most common way to serve Salisbury steak is over mashed potatoes, but there are some other options listed below.
- Mashed Potatoes
- Egg Noodles
- Sweet Potatoes
- Peas
- Mashed Cauliflower
Can you bake Salisbury steak in the oven?
Yes, but it will take just a little longer to prepare.
To bake Salisbury steak in the oven prepare the steaks as directed and then sear the steaks with butter over medium heat in an oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven for 3 minutes on each side.
Add the remaining olive oil, mushrooms, and diced onions to the skillet as well as the beef broth, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Make the cornstarch slurry by combining the cornstarch and water in a small bowl and then stir into the skillet as well.
Bake in an oven preheated to 350ºF for about 45 minutes or until the center of each steak reads 160ºF.
Can I use mustard instead of mustard powder?
Yes, and in fact, I often swap the mustard powder for dijon mustard, which adds a bit of a spicy kick. If you don’t have the mustard powder you can easily swap it out for any version of mustard you like.
Can I use French onion soup or mushroom soup for the gravy?
Yes! I prefer to make my own gravy, however, you can easily use either a French onion soup or mushroom soup in place of the beef broth.
Try these easy dinner recipes next:
- Ground Beef Stroganoff
- Beef Burrito Skillet
- Traditional Meatloaf
- Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
- Easy Swedish Meatballs
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Small Whisk
- Cast Iron Skillet
- Spatula
- Slotted Spoon
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs Ground Beef
- 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs
- 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 2 tablespoons Ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Mustard Powder
- 1 Egg
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt and Pepper (each)
- 2 tablespoons Butter
Mushroom Gravy
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 6 ounces Mushrooms
- 1/2 Onion diced
- 2 cups Beef Broth
- 1/4 cup Ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon Warm Water
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, 3 tablespoons olive oil, ketchup, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, mustard powder, egg, and salt and pepper. Use your hands to mix the ingredients until evenly combined and then divide into quarters and shape into a round patty (about 1-inch in thickness).
- Place a large heavy-bottomed or cast-iron skillet over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the patties and cook on each side for about 5 to 7 minutes or until the center reaches 160ºF and the sides are slightly crispy and the patty is cooked through.
- Remove patties and set aside on a plate for later.
Mushroom Gravy
- In the same skillet and the remaining olive oil, mushroom, and diced onion. Cook until tender, about 3 to 5 minutes and use a slotted spoon to remove and place on the same plate as the patties.
- Add the beef broth, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce to the skillet and stir to combine.
- Create a slurry in a small bowl by whisking the cornstarch and warm water together until the cornstarch has completely dissolved. Pour into the skillet and stir into the gravy mixture. Bring the gravy to a boil and reduce heat to low.
- Place the patties and the mushroom mixture back into the skillet and let simmer until the gravy thickens, about 5 more minutes.
