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.
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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!
- Prepare the Onions: Steps 1-2
Sauté diced onions and onion rings in butter until softened, then set aside. - The diced onions will go into the patties, and the onion rings will be added back to the gravy later.
- Make the Breadcrumbs:
Process a couple of slices of bread in a food processor to create fresh breadcrumbs. - Make the Beef Patties:
Combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, seasonings, and half of the sautéed diced onions. Form into oval patties. - Sear the Patties:
Cook the patties in a hot skillet to create a flavorful crust, then remove and set aside. - 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. - 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. - 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
Ingredients
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
Instructions
Sauté the onions
- Heat 1-2 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté diced onions on one side and sliced onion rings on the other for about 3 minutes. Set both aside separately.
Make the breadcrumbs
- In a food processor, process two slices of bread into fine crumbs
Prepare the patties
- In a large bowl, mix ground beef, half the sautéed diced onions, eggs, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and celery salt. Shape into oval patties.
Cook the patties
- Heat another 1-2 tbsp of butter in the skillet. Sear patties for 1-2 minutes per side until browned. Remove from the skillet and drain excess fat.
Make the gravy
- In a bowl, whisk together the beef broth and flour until smooth. Pour the mixture into the skillet and add the heavy cream (if using), Worcestershire sauce, and remaining butter. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes to remove the raw flour taste. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and let the gravy thicken, stirring occasionally
Combine everything
- Return patties and onion rings to the skillet. Add remaining seasonings (onion powder, garlic powder, crushed red pepper) and simmer for 5-15 minutes until patties are cooked through. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
Serve
- Spoon gravy over the patties and serve with mashed potatoes or a side of your choice.
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.
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
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My mouth is watering just looking at those pictures!
This looks SO delicious, I’ve saving this to try very soon!
Whoa, these look scrumptious! We ate Salisbury steak when I was a kid, but it was the nasty frozen kind! Want these!!! Great recipe 🙂
Salisbury Steak is one of my favs but I rarely think to make it! This version sounds delicious! I love onion gravy too!
Thank you Sarah!
I will make it for my hubby who likes steak. This will be perfect week night night dinner dish, Love that creamy onion gravy to go with it.
Thank you Swathi! I think he’ll like it a lot. I love it especially with mashed potatoes.
Another fantastic, mouthwatering post, April! I just had Salisbury steak not too long ago and now I’m craving it again. This looks so delicious.
Thank you so much Catherine!
This is pure and simple comfort food. A great weeknight meal and the gravy looks so rich and full of flavor. We didn’t have salisbury steak at home but at school we did. Let me say it didn’t have the flavor that yours does. I wouldn’t even need a brownie to convince me to eat.
Haha. Oh I remember eating them at school too. So not good! Thank you!
I followed the instructions to the T. They didn’t look as good as yours. I’m just learning how to cook for me and my boyfriend. Turned out so delicious! My boyfriend loved them! Love your blog!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m also happy y’all both love it! 🙂
I have never tried Salisbury steak!! But i’m a huge fan of beef gravy and I can have beef gravy with crusty bread for dinner. anytime. This sounds incredibly delicious. Got to try it soon.
YUM…this is a weeknight winner for sure. i don’t even remember the last time I had this. What a great family meal….and YES I want leftovers of this delicious recipe for another meal for sure.
I’m not a huge steak person so if I’ve ever seen Salisbury steak on the menu, I definitely skipped over it. I had no idea what it actually was until I read this post, so thank you!
Your photos make the recipe look much more appetizing than those TV dinners from your childhood, and from the recipe itself, I can tell this is much more delicious too!
Believe it or not I have never tried Salisbury steak before.. Looks like a homey easy meal for a weeknight.. I must try it soon.
This looks marvelous and love the classic recipe made easy! I like the idea of using better than bouillon beef base. That would have enhanced the flavor so much!
That is such a hearty and comforting dish. Love the idea of using better than bouillon base. I’ve only recently got to know about it and use it to make soups, but this is a great recipe to use it too.
This looks mouth wateringly good! Beautiful photo!
Thank you Lauren!
My grandmother’s salisbury steak was the best ever! I never knew it was so simple to make! I’m making this next week! Wish me luck. I suck at following recipes but this looks simple enough! Can’t wait!
You won’t have any issues following this recipe. Let me know how it goes! You’ll love it! Thank you so much Amy!