Salisbury Steak with Onion Gravy

My easy Salisbury steak is my family’s favorite. The tender juicy beef patties are simmered in a rich and flavorful homemade brown onion gravy. Make this recipe your no fuss anytime meal! Perfect a side of mashed potatoes!WHAT IS SALISBURY STEAK?

Salisbury steak isn’t a steak, it’s basically fancy version of a bun-less hamburger that is simmered in gravy and traditionally served with mashed potatoes. I hated it as a kid, but now I can’t get enough of it.

Brown foods scared me back then. The tv dinner version scared me even more. However, I loved the teeny brownie that came with it. That sure was a good brownie.  I make Salisbury steak at least a couple times a month. It’s one of our favorite classic meals. It’s the best comfort food ever! 

WHAT ARE SALISBURY STEAKS MADE OF?

This recipe uses everyday staple ingredients which include, ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, garlic powder, onions, Worcestershire sauce a pinch of celery salt and chopped parsley. 

You can’t have salisbury steak without a rich and flavorful gravy. You need a gravy that comes together quickly with big flavor. The rich gravy ingredients include my trusty, Better than Bouillon beef base, flour, heavy whipping cream and butter, salt and pepper is all you need to make it. Oh and A pinch or two of seasonings.  

Quick Rundown of  Salisbury Steak Recipe

This is just a quick overview of the steps to make this delicious Salisbury steak. Be sure to check out the full recipe card below for all the details, measurements, and tips!

1. Prepare the Onions: Steps 1-2
   Sauté diced onions and onion rings in butter until softened, then set aside.
2. The diced onions will go into the patties, and the onion rings will be added back to the gravy later.
3. Make the Breadcrumbs:
   Process a couple of slices of bread in a food processor to create fresh breadcrumbs.
4. Make the Beef Patties:
   Combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, seasonings, and half of the sautéed diced onions. Form into oval patties.
5. Sear the Patties:
   Cook the patties in a hot skillet to create a flavorful crust, then remove and set aside.
6. Make the Gravy:
   Whisk beef broth and flour to create a slurry. Add it to the skillet with Worcestershire sauce, butter, and seasonings. Cook for a few minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
7. Combine and Simmer:
   Return the patties to the skillet along with the sautéed onion rings. Let everything simmer until the patties are cooked through and the gravy thickens.
8. Serve:
   Spoon the rich gravy over the patties and serve with mashed potatoes or your favorite side.

Tips for Perfect Homemade Salisbury Steak

• Gravy Galore:
  This recipe makes a generous amount of gravy. If you prefer less, feel free to halve the recipe, or make the full batch and store leftovers for later.
• Ground Beef Matters:
  For flavorful and juicy patties, use 80% lean ground beef (20% fat). The higher fat content adds richness and moisture to the steak.
• Best Broth Substitute:
  Better Than Bouillon Roasted Beef Base is a game-changer for this recipe. Made from real meat, it adds a homemade depth of flavor that elevates the dish.
• Don’t Over-Mix:
  Be gentle when combining the beef mixture. Over-mixing can make the patties tough.
• Sear for Flavor:
  Let the patties cook undisturbed until they develop a deep brown crust. Avoid moving them around while searing to lock in flavor.

Easy Salisbury Steak Recipe

April Boller Wright

My easy Salisbury steak is made with ground beef and simmered in a rich and so flavorful homemade brown onion gravy. This recipe is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner! 

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Beef

Cuisine American

Servings 6 people

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

To make the beef patties

• 1 1/2 lb ground beef
• 2-4 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 3 red onions 1 onion diced the other two sliced into rings
• 2 eggs
• 1 Pinch of celery salt
• 1 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1 1/4 tsp onion powder
• salt for taste I used 1 1/4 tsp
• pepper for taste I used 1 tsp

Beef Gravy

• 4 cups beef broth I use Better Than Bouillon Roasted Beef Base
• 6 tbsp flour
• 2 tsp heavy whipping cream optional
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• Salt for taste
• Pepper for taste
• pinch onion powder 1-2 small pinches
• pinch garlic powder 1-2 small pinches
• pinch crushed red pepper 1 small pinch of crushed red peppers

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

 

Sauté the onions

• Melt 1–2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.Add the diced onions to one side and the sliced onions to the other.Sauté for about 3 minutes, until softened and fragrant.Transfer them to two separate bowls — you’ll use the diced onions for the patties and the sliced ones for the gravy later

Make the breadcrumbs

• In a food processor, pulse two slices of bread until fine crumbs form.(Or use store-bought breadcrumbs if you prefer.)

Prepare the patties

• In a large bowl, combine:Ground beef, half of the sautéed diced onions, eggs, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, celery salt, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands or a fork until combined, don’t overwork it. Form into oval-shaped patties, about ¾ inch thick.

Brown the patties

• Add another 1–2 tbsp butter to the same skillet over medium-high heat.Sear the patties for 1–2 minutes per side until nicely browned.Remove them from the skillet and drain off any excess grease.

Make the gravy

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the beef broth and flour until smooth. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat, then add the remaining diced onions and cook for about one minute to release their flavor. Slowly pour in the broth-and-flour mixture while whisking constantly. Stir in the heavy cream, if using, along with the Worcestershire sauce. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring often, to remove the raw flour taste. Reduce the heat to low and let the gravy simmer until thickened.

Combine everything

• Return the browned patties and the sliced onion rings to the skillet with the gravy. Add a pinch of onion powder, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper if desired. Simmer for 5–15 minutes, spooning the gravy over the patties as they cook, until the meat is cooked through and tender. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, then serve hot over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles.

Notes

Tips for Perfect Salisbury Steak

Ground Beef Matters:

• Use 80% lean ground beef (20% fat) for flavorful, juicy Salisbury steak. The fat content helps keep the patties moist and adds flavor.
• Best Broth Substitute:
  Better Than Bouillon Roasted Beef Base is a standout ingredient in this recipe. It’s rich, full of flavor, and tastes homemade. It’s an excellent substitute for regular broth.

• Don’t Over-Mix:

  • Mix the beef mixture just until combined. Overworking the meat will make the patties tough instead of tender.

  Get the Perfect Sear:

  • To develop a flavorful brown crust, let the patties cook undisturbed during searing. Avoid moving or flipping them until the bottom is browned. A great sear adds depth to the flavor.

  Gravy Galore:

  • This recipe makes a generous amount of gravy. If you prefer less, you can halve the gravy recipe or store leftovers for later. 

Tools used to make this recipe: Cast iron skillet, Nordic Ware Sheet Pan, Hamilton 8 Cup Food Processor, Mixing Bowl Set & Pyrex 4 Measuring Cup 

 

Keyword classic dinner food, comfort food, vintage food

Like this? Leave a comment below!Let us know how it was!

You may also like:

• Meatloaf
• Southern Sweet Cornbread 
• Lemon Parmesan and Herb Crispy Tuna Patties 
• Juicy Dry rub roast chicken
• Southern Pan Fried whiting
• Sour cream mashed potatoes
• Stove-top mac and cheese 
• Southern Candied yams

Make sure to save this PIN to your Pinterest board for later and don’t forget to follow me!😊