When was the last time you had a good, old-fashioned Salisbury Steak? A savory, meaty patty in a thick rich sauce, this American classic will never go out of style.
Crispy on the outside yet juicy on the inside, Salisbury Steaks are ground beef patties that thanks to the savory gravy they simmer in are the perfect comfort food. Developed by and then named after Dr. James Henry Salisbury, a physician who in the mid-1800s advocated for a protein-based diet rich in animal fat for men fighting in the American Civil War, Salisbury Steaks were credited with improving the soldiers’ health. In the 1950s, Salisbury Steaks became one of the most popular Swanson TV dinners, served with mashed potatoes, corn, and a brownie. Frozen food has come a long way since the TV Dinner, but we do tend to love all things retro, especially in the form of delicious satisfying food like Salisbury Steak.
Not to be confused with your run-of-the-mill hamburger patty or (as it sometimes is) with cubed steak (which is actually pounded steak), Salisbury Steaks are made of ground beef and shaped into an oval, browned in oil to achieve an irresistible crust, and then finished in a rich, umami gravy that begs for mashed potatoes.
The mixture for Salisbury Steak is similar to meatloaf because it is made up of ground beef combined with egg and breadcrumbs, but its oval shape and preparation process makes it uniquely its own. But it’s the sauce that really sets it apart. A mix of Worcestershire, ketchup and in our recipe mustard powder, added to the pan where the patties have browned, creates a seductive, mouthwatering gravy.
While you might be tempted to hurry the cooking process along because your kitchen is going to smell amazing, you must be patient when cooking Salisbury Steak; first—let the crust form on both sides of the patty—it will keep the meat juicy and provide a fabulous texture. And don’t rush the simmering process—let the patties cook through in the luscious gravy until it penetrates the meat and thickens.
Ingredients
- 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
- 1 egg
- Pinch of sea salt and ground black pepper
- 1/2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 tsp mustard powder
How to Make Salisbury Steak
Step 1: Combine ground beef, bread crumbs, and egg in a large bowl. Season with a pinch of sea salt and black pepper, mix well, and shape into 2 oval patties.
Step 2: In a large skillet add the olive oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the patties and brown from both sides.
Step 3: Add the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, water, and mustard powder to the skillet with the patties. Cover the skillet and cook the patties for 20 minutes, until cooked.
Step 4: Once the Salisbury Steaks are cooked, transfer to plates and serve with mashed potatoes. Enjoy!
FAQs
Why are my patties dry?
Be careful not to overmix your meat mixture. You need to gently combine the ground beef, egg, and breadcrumbs.
Is it still Salisbury Steak if your patties are round instead of oval?
Well…yes and maybe not really? It’s the same ingredients, so yes; but Salisbury Steaks are legendary for their oval shape—it’s one of things that immediately differentiates them from hamburger patties—so it’s worth taking the time to shape them that way.
Can I make a keto version of Salisbury Steak?
Yes. These days, because so many people have keto and low-carb lifestyles, there are lots of substitutes for breadcrumbs. Processing Ezekiel brand low-carb bread works wonderfully (Ezekiel breads have delicious flavor); crushing pork rinds to replace breadcrumbs (or breading) is popular among keto-eaters; they even make a cauliflower substitute for breadcrumbs now. Check your grocery store or try Amazon to find these products.
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef for Salisbury Steak?
You can, but a couple of things to watch out for. If you use all breast/white meat, add a bit of chicken or vegetable stock to your meat mixture, as ground white meat turkey can be dry. It can also lack flavor, so make sure you season it generously. If you use ground turkey that is a mix of white and dark meat, you’ll have more flavor.
Can I use this recipe to make meatballs?
Yes! And to stay true to the spirit of Salisbury Steak, brown your meatballs to get the crust on them before letting them finish cooking in the gravy (you may need to double the gravy ingredients so the meatballs can be covered in it for cooking). And if you do this, I’d serve them with parsley buttered noodles!
What variations are worth trying?
Adding minced white onion and parsley to the meat mixture will provide a new layer of flavor. You can also add sliced mushrooms and/or chopped onions to the gravy.
Serving Suggestions
First and foremost, everyone loves Salisbury Steak with mashed potatoes; there may be no better food to pair with the thick, delicious gravy.
That said, creamy polenta would also be wonderful with Salisbury Steaks. So would Mac ‘n Cheese. And so would buttered noodles.
I might even go out on a limb here and suggest fries because dipping them in the gravy is heavenly.
As far as vegetables go, you can’t miss serving Salisbury Steaks and whatever starch you choose with peas or corn. Or both. Or how about Lima Beans? But, really, any green vegetable sauteed or roasted would pair well here.
How to Store Salisbury Steak
You can store leftover Salisbury Steaks covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They can be stored like this in their gravy, or you can store the gravy separately in a separate airtight container.
If you want to form the patties and cook them later, store them covered in the refrigerator for no more than 4 hours.
Cooked Salisbury Steaks in their gravy can be frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight container.
Salisbury Steak Recipe (with Gravy)
Ingredients
- 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
- 1 egg
- Pinch of sea salt and ground black pepper
- 1/2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 tsp mustard powder
Instructions
- Combine ground beef, bread crumbs, and egg in a large bowl. Season with a pinch of sea salt and black pepper, mix well, and shape into 2 oval patties.
- In a large skillet add the olive oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the patties and brown from both sides.
- Add the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, water, and mustard powder to the skillet with the patties. Cover the skillet and cook the patties for 20 minutes, until cooked.
- Once the Salisbury Steaks are cooked, transfer to plates and serve with mashed potatoes. Enjoy!
Nutrition
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