Best Salisbury Steak Recipe
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This salisbury steak recipe is our most popular recipe on the site and has received millions of views since it first launched. Every time I put it on Facebook, it goes viral.
Christine says, “Super easy and husband loved it!! Got told it was probably one of the best things I’ve ever made.“
Shannon says “Absolutely LOVED this recipe and dinner! So delicious and has became a meal we make weekly.”
Salisbury Steak Recipe
I created this recipe out of my own necessity to have a dinner that was easy to make, but was full of flavor and something versatile that everyone would love. You can recreate this at home with ease because
I used simple ingredients that everyone already has in their pantry and I put together step-by-step instructions so you can’t mess it up. This is the recipe that’s on repeat in my home and I think your family will love it too.
Why is it Called Salisbury Steak?
Salisbury steak is actually named after its inventor, American physician Dr. James Henry Salisbury. He researched how food affect the body and believed that ground up beef was healthy. The beef patties were named after him as they became popular.
You may remember Salisbury steak from the days of TV dinners. Trust me, this recipe has evolved from those days.
Here’s a little salisbury steak history.
Ingredients
Patty Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- ⅓ cup bread crumbs (may substitute with oats or you can use gluten-free bread crumbs)
- 2 teaspoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Gravy Ingredients:
- 2 packets Gluten Free Brown Gravy Mix
- 2 cups hot water
- 1 teaspoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire
How to Make This Homemade Salisbury Steak Recipe
- Add all patty ingredients to a large bowl. Use clean hands to combine. Divide the meat mixture into four balls and flatten into oval patties.
- Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a skillet on medium heat. Place patties in hot skillet and cook the ground beef patties until beef is no longer pink, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Adjust temperature to low heat.
- Pour gravy mixture, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce into hot water. Whisk to combine. Pour gravy over patties in skillet and allow it to come to a simmer. Add ¼ cup of additional water to the gravy if it becomes too thick.
- Serve warm over mashed potatoes if desired.
Special Tools
The only tool that you’ll need to be certain to have is a large skillet. You’ll be cooking this simple recipe over medium heat on the stove so having a large skillet or a cast-iron skillet is best.
Alternatives and Suggestions
- French Onion soup – There are some people out there that don’t care for the gravy so they opt to create more of a soup texture. French onion soup would be a great alternative to try.
- ground turkey – Cutting down on the fat content can be done by using turkey meat instead of ground beef.
- mushrooms – many salisbury steak recipes are served with a rich mushroom gravy. To achieve this, add mushrooms to the gravy and brown together on the stove
- onions – add sliced onions to the gravy to make an onion gravy.
What is the Difference Between Meatloaf and Salisbury Steak?
Meatloaf is made by shaping ground beef into a loaf and baking so it can be sliced. It’s typically served with a tomato-based sauce, while salisbury steak is made into patties and covered with a mushroom gravy. Salisbury steak is made on the stovetop while meatloaf is baked.
Tips for Making Simple Salisbury Steak
This recipe is really, really simple but the biggest tip to keep in mind is that you don’t want to burn the patties! However, just in case you do have a moment where they are a bit “crispy”, rest easy knowing that this is where the gravy comes in and helps!
What to Serve with Salisbury Steak?
- mashed potatoes – this is the quintessential side dish for Salisbury Steak. The gravy is perfect with the potatoes
- green beans – this is a great vegetable to have with the steak
- egg noodles – if you don’t like mashed potatoes, another option is to serve this on egg noodles
If you want a similar recipe that you can do in the crockpot try my slow cooker smothered hamburgers.
FAQs Salisbury Steak
To store Salisbury steak, first, allow it to cool completely if it’s freshly cooked. Then, transfer it to an airtight container or wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to 2-3 months. When reheating, ensure it’s heated through to the center.
Freeze uncooked steak patties by putting them on a baking sheet with about two inches between each patty. Cover baking sheet with plastic wrap and place in freezer for a few hours. This flash freezes the patties and they can then be put into a zip top freezer bag and placed in the freezer for up to 3 months. To use: remove bag from freezer and place in refrigerator overnight or for several hours and follow regular cooking instructions.
To freeze cooked patties, place salisbury steak patties and gravy in a freezer-safe container and place in freezer. Remove from freezer and heat in oven or on the stovetop until thawed and warm.
More Dinner Recipes to Help on Busy Nights
Easy Salisbury Steak Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/3 cup bread crumbs
- 2 teaspoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Gravy Ingredients:
- 2 packets Brown Gravy Mix
- 2 cups hot water
- 1 teaspoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire
Instructions
- Add all patty ingredients to a large bowl. Use clean hands to combine. Divide the mixture into four balls and flatten into patties.1 pound lean ground beef , 1/3 cup bread crumbs, 1 teaspoon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire, 2 teaspoons ketchup
- Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a skillet on medium heat. Cook patties until beef is no longer pink. Adjust temperature to low heat.
- Pour gravy mixture, ketchup and Worcestershire into hot water. Whisk to combine. Pour gravy over patties in skillet and allow it to come to a simmer. Add ¼ cup of additional water to the gravy if it becomes too thick, and stir. Serve warm over mashed potatoes if desired.1 teaspoon Worcestershire, 2 packets Brown Gravy Mix, 2 cups hot water, 1 teaspoon ketchup
Notes
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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I made this for dinner this evening and I was pleasantly surprised as to how savory and tender this recipe is . Added to my favorite go to. Thank you for the recipe!
can this be made in the crock pot ?
The printed recipe has an error. 1 cup of breadcrumbs vs 1/3 cup. Trust me, 1 cup was too much! Explains why my patties wouldn’t stay together! But the flavor was amazing!
My patties fell apart I got a skillet full of ground up ground beef but the flavor was good, just end up scooping on top of the mashed potatoes
I agree with the comments and wished I would have read them prior to making this, way too much bread crumbs and I did wonder why one recipe said 1/3 cup and the other 1 cup, now I know why. So in the future a lot less bread crumbs and to enhance the beef flavor try adding beef consume’ in place of some of the water and a little butter makes the gravy richer in flavor. Otherwise very tasty!
We have updated the printable recipe. The correct breadcrumb amount is 1/3 cup.
We haven’t tried this in the crockpot. I don’t recommend it because I think the patties would fall apart.
Thanks! glad you enjoyed it!
In addition to what you have included for side dishes, corn (fresh is always best of course) goes well as do yams and asparagus just for something a little bit different.
Just made this tonight. My hubby loved it!! I substituted the water with chicken broth . The flavor was really good. My hubby said ” you can make this again” lol
Could I use pork rinse instead of bread crumbs to cut down on the carbs?
Definitely Delicious!
Is the nutrition information for 1 Salisbury steak, or for the entire recipe?? 1000 calories is alot!
Thank you!
This recipe sucked… Wound up with scrambled meat in gravy
Thanks for catching that. I’ve updated the recipe card so it reflects the amount per serving.
A good rule of thumb; always read the notes, comments, and tips. I never start a new recipe without doing this.
I made this in the crockpot; browned my Patty’s then transferred to the crockpot. Turned out absolutely perfect!
Omg! I made this for dinner yesterday and it was delicious. We are having leftovers tonight and will make again
I’ve never been much of a cook. Now that I am retired we eat dinner every night. Made this and husband begged for more. Thanks for making a beginner feel like a chef.
Delicious! Love this recipe. It’s so quick and easy! First time I made it I followed the recipe and my family loved it. Second time I tried adding onion soup mix to the steak mixture and red wine in the gravy. Family loved it again. Thank you for this recipe my family loves it!
Just add an egg. It will keep everything together.
Definitely delicious!
Yummy!!
My favorite thing about this recipe besides it being easy was the fact that I did not have to chop onions!
It’s a keeper.
~ Thank you!
Made these tonight,was really easy,but they started to fall apart,next time I make them I am going to add 1 egg to keep them together. Family proved them,I served them with noodles and added mushrooms to the gravy!
I made this and it was super good. I did mine in the oven though after pan cooking for the gravy part. (360⁰ for 30 – 40min)
Great recipe!!