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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Cleaned plates all around!! This was delicious and will definitely be in my rotation of go-to dinners. Thank you!
Holy cow this was delicious! I made this meal this evening and my husband raved about it immediately. I added some fresh baby portabella mushrooms after browning the Pattie’s and a splash of red wine which kicked it up a lot! Thank you so much for sharing! This is our new favorite recipe 🙂
I have made this numerous times and my family is never disappointed
Can this recipe be cooked in a crock pot?
We haven’t tested this version in the crockpot yet.
Right flavor, consistency, and texture!
Delicious! I use auj jus packets instead of brown gravy.
Very tasty comfort food!
Very good. Made it with gravy packets. Very tasty and fast.
Followed recipe as written. It was ok, but very bland. I will add salt & pepper to the mixture next time, even though recipe doesn’t call for it. Maybe seasoned breadcrumbs as well.
This was an amazing recipe!! I used Italian bread crumbs because that is what I had and it tasted so good! My picky eater even loved it. Thank you
Delicious!!My picky daughter went for seconds! Says a lot!
I made this meal today December 22 and I thought it was excellent. The only thing I did was I put Italian breadcrumbs and I came up perfect me and my dog mopped it up he looked at me and she said dad don’t ever leave me. I love your cooking. Laugh out loud.
Very tasty. Easy to make. However, the patties fell apart while simmering. Onions are a great addition!
Use real onions and garlic … and add mushrooms. Tasty if you are in a hurry.
I have made this several times. This time I made it with ground turkey and it was still delicious. I’m sure I will make it again with ground turkey.
This is so easy and tasty! We just love it. Definitely a repeat at our house!!
It sounds like a good recipe but the burger patties fall apart. I would add an egg. It also needs salt and pepper otherwise it tastes flat.
We loved it! And so easy. I doubled the recipe and lucky I did. Very little leftovers. The only change I made was I sauted onions in advance along with mushrooms and added that to the wonderful gravy. So darn good!
this was SO GOOD, the meat stayed moist and came out delicious. I did add an egg into the mixture to keep the patties together, and I’m glad I did. I also added additional spices to the meat. We served it on top of mashed potatoes! Will definitely be making this again.
This was an excellent recipe served over mashed potatoes with biscuits
Delicious, easy recipe. I added fresh mushrooms to the gravy. I am sure you could add onions as well. What makes it nice is that you don’t need any special ingredients. Yummy with mashed potatoes and a vegetable.
This recipe was very good Family enjoyed it. I will make it again. I took the recipe and it was awesome. Thank you for sharing.
Delicious! I used French onion soup instead of brown gravy and it was terrific!
My family’s favorite recipe!! They ask for it every week!! Taste great and easy and fast!!
I made this for my husband and he loved it! I also made it for myself with beyond burger and made some vegetarian mushroom brown gravy to go with it. I left the egg out of mine and it was fine. Both turned out great!