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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Definitely the best salisbury I’ve ever had.
Good flaver maid couple hard meals.
Tastes so good and is easy to make! I sometimes add some sliced onions with the mushrooms. Great served with green beans and mashed potatoes!!
I made this today in my crockpot, came out delicious! i stuck pretty much to the recipe, added some Worcestershire sauce and minced garlic to the mixture and increased the beef broth to 3 cups. its a great and easy recipe to follow and my family loved it! I served it with mashed potatoes and steamed cauliflower as the sides. Thank you for an easy and yummy meal!
My daughter loves this recipe. She asks for it all the time.
I used to hate Salisbury steak growing up. I tried this recipe and LOVE IT!! It is pretty low cal, easy and a family pleaser in my house.
It was so delicious and so easy!!! Thank you so much for this recipe! Will be making again soon!
My whole family (6) loves this!!! Best I’ve ever had!
I’m making this. Do you need to drain the fat before adding the gravy?
Yes, drain the fat after you cook the meat.
Thanks for sharing! Glad everyone loved it!
this was overall yummy but the texture was a little weird. i blame myself for that because i used 80/20 ground beef which im guessing isn’t considered lean? i want to try making this again with lean beef and then i’m sure it’ll be 5 stars
I made this tonight using ground chicken and used potato flakes for the bread crumbs to make it gluten free. It’s wonderful and tastes like Salisbury steak!! My husband loved it!! Served it with mashed potatoes. Tomorrow I will remember the green beans 🙂
Thank you for an easy tasty recipe.
Sheila E.
Read a million recipes and they all had the same stuff I didn’t want to use. This one didn’t and I loved that. Finally made them for supper AMAZING!! The family devoured them and I didn’t change anything on the ingredients like sometimes I do. Thank you so much!! Super easy and very delicious tasting!!
Thanks for the kind words, Sheila!
I made this last night for the first time & they loved it
First time making salisbury steak and this recipe is delicious!
Great recipe. Made several times. Added sauted mushrooms tonight. Husband loves this recipe also.
Making it for sure since I am learning how to cook now and this looks really good and easy. Thank you for sharing .
I tripled the receipe and had to cook the patties in batches. I didn’t have a pan large enough, so I placed the patties in a 9×13. Poured the gravy mixture on top put in oven at 425°. I’m hoping the gravy will thicken. I probably should have Covered with foil. I’m going to check it in 15-20 min. Wish me luck.
I made this exactly like the recipe said and my burger patties didn’t hold together. So we had lose meat Salisbury steak 🤔 😐 😕 😒
Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear the patties didn’t hold together — that’s definitely frustrating. A few things that might help next time: make sure you’re using lean ground beef (80/20 works well), and be sure to really mix the ingredients well so the egg and breadcrumbs can bind everything together. Also, forming firm, compact patties (not too loose) can make a big difference. I appreciate you trying the recipe and taking the time to leave feedback — I’ll add a note in the post to help others avoid this too. 💛
There’s no egg listed in the ingredients but IS listed in a note below the recipe. Just a little discrepancy to be aware of!
I have made this several times. It’s the best Salisbury Steak recipe I have tried.❤️❤️
Thanks for your kind words, Bobbie!