Salisbury Steak Recipe with Rich Onion Gravy

There are few things more comforting than a classic Salisbury Steak Recipe, and this one is guaranteed to become a family favorite. This dish transforms humble ground beef into tender, flavor-packed patties, which are then smothered in a rich, savory onion and mushroom gravy. It’s the ultimate comfort food, perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner yet impressive enough for guests. Forget the bland TV dinners of the past; this homemade version is a game-changer.

This recipe focuses on developing deep, savory flavors at every step. We’ll start by creating perfectly seasoned beef patties and giving them a beautiful sear to lock in the juices. Then, we’ll use the same pan to build a luxurious gravy, scraping up all those delicious browned bits for maximum flavor. It’s a straightforward process that delivers a truly satisfying meal.

What Is Salisbury Steak?

Salisbury steak is an American dish made from a blend of ground beef and other ingredients, shaped into patties, and served with a rich brown gravy. It’s not actually a “steak” in the traditional sense but is named after Dr. James Henry Salisbury, a 19th-century physician who advocated for a meat-centered diet. The key difference between a Salisbury steak and a hamburger steak is the addition of fillers like breadcrumbs and eggs, which give the patty a softer, more meatloaf-like texture.

Why You’ll Love This Salisbury Steak Recipe

• Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of seasoned beef patties and a rich, umami-packed mushroom and onion gravy is simply irresistible.
• Classic Comfort Food: This is the kind of hearty, satisfying meal that brings everyone to the table and warms you from the inside out.
• One-Pan Meal: The patties and the gravy are made in the same skillet, which means easier cleanup and more flavor in the final dish.
• Simple Ingredients: You likely have most of the ingredients for this easy Salisbury Steak Recipe in your pantry and refrigerator right now.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Salisbury Steak Patties:

• 1.5 lbs lean ground beef (85/15 recommended)
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

For the Mushroom Onion Gravy:

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 large yellow onion, sliced
• 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

How to Make This Salisbury Steak Recipe

1. Prepare the Patties: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, milk, beaten egg, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined—be careful not to overwork the meat.
2. Shape the Steaks: Divide the meat mixture into four equal portions and shape them into oval patties, about 3/4-inch thick.
3. Sear the Patties: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place the patties in the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until nicely browned. The patties will not be cooked through at this point. Remove them from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
4. Sauté the Vegetables: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until they soften and start to caramelize. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for another 5-7 minutes until they are browned and have released their liquid. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Make the Gravy: Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir to coat everything. Cook for 1 minute to toast the flour. Slowly whisk in the beef broth, ensuring there are no lumps. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard.
6. Simmer: Bring the gravy to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it cook for 3-5 minutes, or until it has thickened slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Finish Cooking: Return the seared patties to the skillet, nestling them into the gravy. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let everything simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, or until the patties are cooked through.
8. Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve your homemade Salisbury steak hot with your favorite sides.

Tips for the Best Salisbury Steak

• Don’t Overmix: When combining the ingredients for the patties, mix just until everything is incorporated. Overworking the ground beef can result in tough, dense steaks.
• Get a Good Sear: Searing the patties over medium-high heat is crucial for developing a flavorful crust that also helps lock in the juices.
• Use Fresh Mushrooms: Cremini (or baby bella) mushrooms provide a deeper, earthier flavor than white button mushrooms, elevating your gravy.
• Deglaze the Pan: All those browned bits left in the pan after searing the meat are pure flavor! Scraping them up as you add the beef broth is key to a rich and savory gravy. Many people forget this simple step, but it makes a world of difference. For an amazing complementary side, check out this classic creamy mashed potatoes recipe.

Serving Suggestions

This Salisbury Steak Recipe is traditionally served over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes to soak up all that delicious gravy. It’s also fantastic with egg noodles or rice. For a complete meal, pair it with a simple vegetable side like crispy green beans (coming soon), steamed broccoli, or these incredible Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots (coming soon). And don’t forget some soft dinner rolls (coming soon) for mopping up every last bit of gravy!

Storing and Reheating

Store any leftover Salisbury steak and gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the patties and gravy in a skillet over low heat until heated through. You can also reheat it in the microwave. The gravy may thicken in the fridge, so you might want to add a splash of beef broth when reheating to reach your desired consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Ultimate Comfort Dinner

This Salisbury Steak Recipe is a true classic for a reason. It’s hearty, deeply flavorful, and brings a sense of warmth and comfort to any dinner table. Give this recipe a try and let us know what you think in the comments below. We’d love to see your creations—share them with us on Pinterest!

Salisbury Steak Recipe

Salisbury Steak Recipe with Rich Onion Gravy

This classic Salisbury Steak Recipe features tender, juicy ground beef patties smothered in a rich, savory mushroom and onion gravy. A perfect one-pan comfort food dinner the whole family will love.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 580

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Salisbury Steak Patties

• 1.5 lbs lean ground beef 85/15 recommended
• 0.5 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup milk
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

For the Mushroom Onion Gravy

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 large yellow onion, sliced
• 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Equipment

• 1 Large Skillet
• 1 Mixing Bowl

Instructions

 

1. Prepare the Patties: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, milk, beaten egg, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined—be careful not to overwork the meat.
2. Shape the Steaks: Divide the meat mixture into four equal portions and shape them into oval patties, about 3/4-inch thick.
3. Sear the Patties: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place the patties in the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until nicely browned. The patties will not be cooked through at this point. Remove them from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
4. Sauté the Vegetables: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until they soften and start to caramelize. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for another 5-7 minutes until they are browned and have released their liquid. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Make the Gravy: Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir to coat everything. Cook for 1 minute to toast the flour. Slowly whisk in the beef broth, ensuring there are no lumps. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard.
6. Simmer: Bring the gravy to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it cook for 3-5 minutes, or until it has thickened slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Finish Cooking: Return the seared patties to the skillet, nestling them into the gravy. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let everything simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, or until the patties are cooked through.
8. Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve your homemade Salisbury steak hot with your favorite sides.

Notes

Don't Overmix: When combining the ingredients for the patties, mix just until everything is incorporated. Overworking the ground beef can result in tough, dense steaks.
Get a Good Sear: Searing the patties over medium-high heat is crucial for developing a flavorful crust that also helps lock in the juices.
Use Fresh Mushrooms: Cremini (or baby bella) mushrooms provide a deeper, earthier flavor than white button mushrooms, elevating your gravy.
Deglaze the Pan: All those browned bits left in the pan after searing the meat are pure flavor! Scraping them up as you add the beef broth is key to a rich and savory gravy.