Old Fashioned Salisbury Steak

There’s something about Salisbury Steak that just brings you home — that rich mushroom gravy, the tender beef patties, and the cozy smell that fills your kitchen. This Old-Fashioned Salisbury Steak Recipe is the kind of dinner that reminds me of family meals around the table — warm, simple, and hearty.

I grew up eating this kind of meal, the kind that makes everyone quiet for a few minutes because they’re too busy enjoying it. And just like my mom’s version, this one is made from scratch — no frozen dinners or shortcuts — just pure comfort in every bite.

Why You’ll Love It

What makes this recipe so satisfying is its simplicity. It’s made with basic pantry ingredients but tastes like something that’s been cooking all day. The juicy beef patties soak up all that rich mushroom and onion gravy, turning a humble meal into something truly special.

I often make this on busy weeknights because it comes together in under an hour, but it feels like a Sunday supper. Plus, it reheats beautifully — in fact, the flavors deepen overnight, making leftovers something to look forward to.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ground Beef – I like using lean ground beef for less grease, but mixing in a bit of ground pork gives it an extra boost of flavor.

Panko Bread Crumbs – Helps the patties hold their shape and stay tender.

Whole Milk – Keeps the beef moist and gives it that melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Eggs – Bind everything together for perfectly shaped patties.

Garlic and Onion Powder – Add deep flavor right into the meat mixture.

Dijon Mustard, Ketchup, and Worcestershire Sauce – The classic trio that gives Salisbury steak its signature tangy-savory kick.

Parsley – Fresh parsley adds color and freshness to balance out the richness.

Mushrooms – I prefer cremini mushrooms for their earthy flavor, but any fresh variety works.

Onion and Garlic – The base of a good gravy always starts with these.

Flour and Beef Broth – To thicken the gravy and bring it all together.

Thyme, Rosemary, and Better Than Bouillon – These turn your gravy into something you’ll want to pour over everything on your plate.

How to Make Old-Fashioned Salisbury Steak

1. Mix the Meat
   In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, eggs, milk, mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, seasonings, and breadcrumbs. Mix gently with your hands — just until combined — so the patties stay tender.

2. Shape the Patties
   Form 6–8 oval-shaped patties. I like them slightly thicker for a juicier bite.

3. Brown the Patties
   Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet. Sear the patties on both sides until golden brown. They don’t need to be cooked through yet — they’ll finish in the gravy. Remove and set aside.

4. Make the Gravy
   In the same skillet, sauté onions and mushrooms until softened. Add garlic and cook for another minute. Sprinkle in flour and stir until it forms a paste. Slowly whisk in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, herbs, and Better Than Bouillon until the gravy thickens.

5. Simmer Together
   Nestle the patties back into the pan, cover, and simmer for about 15–20 minutes. The meat soaks up all that savory sauce, and the kitchen smells amazing by now.

6. Serve and Enjoy
   Spoon the mushroom gravy generously over each steak and serve it hot.

Tips and Tricks

• Don’t overmix the meat. Gently combine the ingredients to keep the patties tender.

• Use fresh herbs. A bit of fresh parsley or thyme really brightens up the dish.

• Make extra gravy. You’ll want plenty to pour over mashed potatoes or egg noodles.

• For a deeper flavor, use half beef broth and half onion soup base — it adds incredible richness.

Make Ahead Tips

You can form the patties a day ahead and refrigerate them until you’re ready to cook. The gravy can also be made in advance — just reheat and thin it with a splash of broth or water before serving.

Serving Suggestions

This dish pairs perfectly with creamy mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or steamed green beans. On nights when I want extra comfort, I serve it with a slice of warm crusty bread to soak up every bit of that gravy.

For a lighter touch, try serving it with roasted vegetables or a crisp side salad with a tangy vinaigrette — the contrast works beautifully.

Storage

Leftovers are the best part of this dish. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. When reheating, add a spoonful of broth or water to loosen the gravy. It tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together.

FAQs

What’s the difference between Salisbury steak and hamburger steak?
They’re very similar, but Salisbury steak usually includes seasonings, breadcrumbs, and sauces in the mixture, giving it a richer, more refined flavor. Hamburger steak is typically just seasoned ground beef formed into a patty.

Can I make it with another type of meat?
Yes, ground turkey, chicken, or pork all work. The texture and flavor will vary slightly, but the gravy ties everything together beautifully.

Can I freeze Salisbury steak?
Absolutely. Let it cool completely, then freeze the patties and gravy together in a freezer-safe container for up to two months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove.

Can I skip the mushrooms?
If mushrooms aren’t your thing, just leave them out and double up on onions — you’ll still get plenty of flavor in the gravy.

Continue to Content

Yield: 8

Old Fashioned Salisbury Steak

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Bring back the comforting flavors of home with this hearty Old-Fashioned Salisbury Steak Recipe.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

For the Steaks

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1¼ cups panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Mushroom Gravy

• 2 cups cremini mushrooms, sliced
• ½ yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 3 sprigs thyme, stems removed
• 1 tablespoon rosemary, chopped
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1½ teaspoons Better Than Bouillon (beef flavor)
• 3 cups beef broth

Instructions

1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, Dijon mustard, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth.
2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, garlic, Italian seasoning, onion powder, parsley, salt, and pepper. Pour in the egg mixture and mix gently by hand until just combined. Add the panko breadcrumbs and mix again until everything holds together.
3. Shape the meat mixture into 6–8 oval patties, depending on your preferred size.
4. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add a few patties at a time and sear them for about 3–4 minutes per side, until browned but not cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
5. Using the same skillet, add the mushrooms and diced onion to the leftover drippings. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 5–7 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 1–2 minutes.
6. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk constantly until it forms a light brown paste, scraping up the flavorful bits from the bottom of the pan.
7. Gradually pour in the beef broth while whisking, followed by Dijon mustard, thyme, rosemary, Worcestershire sauce, and Better Than Bouillon. Continue to stir until the gravy thickens and becomes smooth.
8. Return the browned patties to the skillet, spoon some gravy over the top, and bring to a gentle boil. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 15–20 minutes until the patties are fully cooked through (160–165°F internally) and the sauce is rich and glossy.
9. Serve hot with creamy mashed potatoes or buttered noodles, and spoon plenty of mushroom gravy over the top.

Nutrition Information

Yield

8

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 794Total Fat 34gSaturated Fat 13gUnsaturated Fat 21gCholesterol 134mgSodium 5836mgCarbohydrates 92gFiber 22gSugar 7gProtein 42g

Easy Shrimp Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

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Final Thought

This Old-Fashioned Salisbury Steak is proof that comfort food never goes out of style. It’s hearty, flavorful, and brings back that cozy, homemade feeling that’s hard to beat. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a nostalgic weekend meal, this recipe always hits the spot. Once you taste that rich mushroom gravy soaking into your mashed potatoes, you’ll understand why this dish has stood the test of time.

Also try these Steak recipes:-

• Montreal Steak Seasoning
• Surf and Turf (Steak and Lobster)
• Hanger Steak