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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Glad you enjoyed it!
Added 1 more gravy mix and 1 cup water. Baby Bella mushrooms and thick onions cooked with patties. Was awesome not 1 drop left from dinner unfortunatly
Do i keep the grease from the ground beef ?
This is awesome. I’ve made it twice, the second time I added mushrooms. So good!
Quick, easy, and delicious! Thanks Alicia!
Excellent flavor and texture! Will use this recipe over and over again!
I used an egg in the recipe to bind all, pan fried slightly and then put in crockpot on high. My family absolutely devoured them.
I also added garlic to the pan that I fried the Pattie’s in.
Loved it! Such a classic comfort food dish!! Only added mushrooms. Definitely making again!!!!
Patties would NOT stay together. Can’t figure out why.
I just added some diced onions to meat and I only had one brown gravy packet so I used a chicken gravy as well and it turned out great. My VERY picky 2 year old ate this right up. Thank you!
Made these and it was delicious! My picky 15 year old loved them!
That time I browned them and cooked in the crock pot.
This time I browned them and want to cook in the oven. Any idea how long?
350 Degress?
I love the Salisbury stake recipe, will be making it soon.
Made this & it was incredible! Easy to put together. Definitely worth the minimal effort. I will be making this again and again! Thanks for the recipe.
Delicious! I have made this several times. Next time I will add mushrooms.
It was really good! My fiancé is super picky too, and he ate it up! Definitely will be going into dinner rotation. I only had one packet of gravy, so I alternated it just a bit!
This is truly comfort food will definitely make again
This is the best easy Salisbury Steak I have ever made. Btw this is my 4th time making it. Highly recommend and will make it again.
Soooo good and with mashed potatoes,and side salad. Yummmmm.
Definitely a hit
My husband made this for dinner tonight 08/19/23
The whole family raved about how delicious dinner was.
They loved it.
This meal is delicious! The best salisbury steak recipe I’ve tried. It was enjoyed by all.
I think you need an egg as a binder. Without it falls apart
We haven’t had that issue before.
Oh Golly, I remember those Salisbury steak TV dinners – none of us kids wanted THAT one.
Consequently, I never grew up with Salisbury steak, Mom never made it – but I made this recipe first time last night and was totally delicious! I did a couple of things different out of necessity – I had no bread in the house so I used some instant potatoes to sub for the bread crumbs and worked just fine. I also dredged the patties in flour prior to frying and that added some nice crust to it as well. Lastly I had only one packet of gravy mix and I added some meat drippings from a previous meal and a small jar of beef gravy and it was awesome- So I actually thought “how did I go thru life without never having tried this?? I dunno, but, this recipe is gonna be a regular feature from now on at our house!
Fixed it for dinner with potatoes. It was delicious. Only thing I added were mushrooms