Easy Salisbury Steak

 Easy (and cheap) Salisbury Steak with or without Mushroom Gravy

Salisbury steak is one of those basic recipes you should have in your recipe box.  It can help you stretch a pound of ground beef to feed 4 (or even more) people.  Fill out the meal with a veggie - here pictured is carrots from our garden - and the starch of your choice.  We chose mashed potatoes to soak up all that lovely gravy.

Beef prices are through the roof lately, but by adding in simple ingredients like bread crumbs and an egg you can stretch the pound of ground beef a lot further.  Think of these salisbury steaks like mini meatloaves that are topped with gravy.

The patties are formed into an oval shape and then browned in a skillet.  I removed mine from the skillet and make the gravy in the same pan.  I use the drippings from the beef to cook some onions and mushrooms - nothing wasted here.  After they are softened I sprinkle in some flour and cook that for 2-3 minutes.  No one likes raw flour!  Once the flour has cooked out then I add in beef broth and bring it to a simmer.  Season with salt and pepper and the gravy is done!

Add the salisbury steaks back to the pan and heat them through.  Be sure to have biscuits or better yet some homemade bread to sop up all that gravy!  I have the perfect bread recipe made in the bread machine.  You can find it here:

https://creatingfrommycorner.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-best-bread-machine-recipe-for-loaves.html

To Make Salisbury Steaks You will need:

1 pound of ground beef

1/2 Tablespoon of dried onion

1/4 c  bread crumbs

1 large egg

salt and pepper to taste

In a large bowl add the beef, dried onion,  bread crumbs, salt and pepper

Mix well.  But do not over mix  

Divide the meat evenly into 5-6 pieces, then shape those pieces into ovals.  In a large skillet cook the patties on both sides, until the meat is cooked through.  You can use an instant read thermometer to check the internal temperature.  It should read 160º.  Remove the meat from the skillet and put it on a plate.

To make the gravy

Chop 1/2 of an onion (any onion you like.  I used a red one)

6 ounces of mushrooms (any kind you like. I used baby bellas.  Don't like mushrooms?  You can leave them out.)

In the skillet brown the onions and mushrooms until soft.  5-7 minutes.

Once they are soft sprinkle in 2-3 tablespoons of flour.  Cook the flour, stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes.

Once the flour is cooked out, then pour in 2 cups of beef broth.  Bring to a simmer and cook until the gravy is thick - stirring occasionally.

TIPS:

When making the patties, you can season the meat with whatever seasonings you use in your meatloaf.  I like to add a little onion powder and garlic powder to mine.

The patties can also be made with ground chicken, or ground turkey but if you do then I would amp up the seasoning.  Poultry can be very bland.

To season up the gravy with something besides salt and pepper I would add a little thyme or even more onion powder and garlic powder.

Be sure to taste the gravy.  Only thing worse than salty gravy is bland gravy.

Salisbury steak has been a family favorite for years - all the way back to childhood.  It's simple, cheap and can stretch a buck.  Easy enough for a weeknight but also perfect for Sunday Supper.

What are some of your childhood favorites?  Let me know in the comments.