Old Fashioned Salisbury Steak Recipe

This Old Fashioned Salisbury Steak Recipe is made with tender, juicy beef patties smothered in a homemade onion and mushroom gravy sauce. Classic comfort food loved by the whole family, have this mouthwatering dinner on the table in just 30-minutes!

Delicious, comforting, and cozy, Salisbury steak is one of my family’s favorite weeknight dinners. Made with golden brown meat patties smothered in an irresistible onion and mushroom gravy, this homemade version is quick, easy, and ready in just 30 minutes!

Serve this popular 1970’s TV dinner with a side of creamy, buttery mashed potatoes and a side of buttered peas or green beans!

What is Salisbury Steak?

Salisbury steak is a dish consisting of ground beef and other ingredients typically served with some kind of gravy or brown sauce.

The term Salisbury Steak was created by the physician J.H. Salisbury and was introduced in 1888. J.H. Salisbury believed that certain foods, particularly starches, vegetables, and fruit, were the cause of many intestinal illnesses and diseases. As such, he created the Salisbury steak – ground beef flavored with onion and seasoning that’s either fried or boiled and served covered with gravy or brown sauce.

In this “Salisbury diet” he suggested that people should consume Salisbury steak three times a day with lots of hot water to flush the digestive system.

In other words, Mr. Salisbury was one of the very first advocates for a low-carb diet.

Key Ingredients

• You may use all ground beef or ground beef plus ground pork. If using only ground beef, I recommend using lean ground beef.
• Breadcrumbs and eggs act as the binder to hold the meat patties together. Without a binder, your patties will fall apart during cooking.
• Brown the patties first, then add them back to the simmering gravy later. This maximizes the flavor in the patties and in the gravy.
• Flour is used to thicken the gravy. It is added to the beef patty drippings, softened veggies, and broth to create a delicious onion and mushroom sauce.
• Worcestershire sauce adds more flavor. A flavor must, this sauce adds a hint of umami flavor to the overall dish.

Find the full list and total amount of each ingredient used to make this old-fashioned Salisbury steak recipe in the recipe card at the end of this post.

How to Make Salisbury Steak

1. Combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, mustard powder, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl.
2. Use your hands to shape the beef mixture into oval(ish) shaped patties – they don’t need to look perfect. This will be enough to make 6 very large patties or 8 regular sized Salisbury steak patties.
3. Working in batches, cook the patties in hot pan or skillet for approximately 1-2 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Remove to a clean plate and repeat with any remaining patties.
4. In the same skillet, cook the onions until they have softened. Add the mushrooms and continue to cook for an additional 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
5. Melt in the remaining butter and sprinkle with flour. Stir until all flour has dissolved. Slowly add the broth, stirring continuously, and bring to a simmer.
6. Add the Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper, to taste.
7. Cover and simmer over low heat for approximately 10 minutes, or until the gravy starts to thicken.
8. Return the Salisbury steak patties back into the gravy and continue to cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until heated through. Season to taste.

Difference Between Salisbury Steak and Hamburger Steak?

Although sometimes used interchangeably, there is a difference between Salisbury steak and Hamburger steak. I’ve tried all three of the below- have you?

– Hamburger– typically formed into a much more uniform rounded shape and served on a bun, the hamburger steak by USDA labeling standards must only contain beef and minimal spices. If the hamburger contains additional binders (breadcrumbs, etc), it will no longer be considered a “Hamburger” but instead must be labeled as a “beef patty”.

– Hamburg(er) Steak– much like the hamburger, this round and thick beef patty is made almost entirely from ground beef and simple seasoning. However, it is served with a thin gravy or sauce and is not served on or with any sort of bun.

– Salisbury steak– can contain as little as 65% meat and 25% of it can be pork. Usually, it will contain binders such as breadcrumbs or vegetables like onions, mushrooms, or bell peppers. Unlike the Hamburger steak, a Salisbury steak is somewhat miss-shaped, more oval than round, and is served with sides such as mashed potatoes, pasta, and gravy.

How to Serve

Growing up my family always served this easy Salisbury steak recipe with a side of creamy mashed potatoes and buttered peas, corn, or carrots. In my family, that was our go-to combination whenever we were eating something like beef or baked chicken for dinner.

Other yummy serving recommendations include rice and buttery egg noodles, and vegetables like,

• Roasted Green Beans
• Roasted Cauliflower
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts
• Cauliflower Rice

Looking for more delicious beef recipes? Try these reader favorites:

• Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe
• Steak Bites Recipe
• Pan-Seared Steak
• American Goulash Recipe
• Beef Bourguignon
• Albondigas Soup Recipe
• Roast Beef Tenderloin Recipe