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Salisbury Steak
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4.98 from 34 votes

Easy Salisbury Steak Recipe

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! 
Course Beef
Cuisine American
Keyword classic dinner food, comfort food, vintage food
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 people
Author April Boller Wright

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. 
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