Every time I hear the words “Chopped Steak,” I’m instantly back in my childhood kitchen, sitting at the table while my mom worked her magic after a long day. The smell of onions sizzling in butter filled the house, and you just knew dinner was going to be good.

This recipe is pure nostalgia — a little bit of meatloaf, a little bit of hamburger steak, all smothered in rich onion gravy. It’s hearty, honest food that makes you want to sit down, slow down, and grab a second helping.
Why This Recipe Feels Like Home
This dish is proof that simple meals can still feel special. My mom made these “mini meatloaves” for us at least twice a month. She’d brown the patties in a big cast iron skillet, then toss in a heap of sliced onions to caramelize in the same pan. Once the onions turned golden and sweet, she’d pour in some beef broth to make the kind of gravy that just begged for mashed potatoes.
It’s that combination — juicy beef, buttery onions, and savory gravy — that makes this recipe timeless. The flavors are humble, but the end result feels like a big warm hug.
And honestly? I love that this meal doesn’t require anything fancy. Just pantry staples, a little patience, and a hungry family.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything you need to bring this comforting classic to life:
For the patties:
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1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend works best)
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1 egg
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½ cup breadcrumbs
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1 small onion, finely chopped
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
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Salt and pepper to taste
For the gravy:
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1 large onion, thinly sliced
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2 tablespoons butter
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1 tablespoon flour
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1 ½ cups beef broth
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1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
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1 teaspoon soy sauce (optional for depth)
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Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make Chopped Steaks
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Shape the patties: In a bowl, combine ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, minced onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix gently — overworking makes the patties dense. Shape into oval patties about ¾ inch thick.
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Brown the beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of oil and sear the patties for 3–4 minutes per side until browned. Remove and set aside (they’ll finish cooking in the gravy).
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Caramelize the onions: In the same skillet, melt butter and add sliced onions. Cook slowly over medium heat for 10–12 minutes until golden and soft. This step gives you that rich sweetness that makes the gravy so good.
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Make the gravy: Sprinkle flour over the onions and stir for a minute to cook out the raw taste. Slowly whisk in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, scraping up all those flavorful browned bits from the pan. Let the gravy thicken slightly.
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Braise the steaks: Nestle the browned patties back into the pan with the onion gravy. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10–15 minutes until the beef is cooked through and everything is coated in that glossy, flavorful sauce.
My Kitchen Notes
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Don’t rush the onions. The slower you cook them, the sweeter and more flavorful your gravy will be.
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Ground beef tip: A mix of ground chuck and sirloin gives the best flavor and texture.
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Make ahead: The patties and gravy both reheat beautifully, making this a great meal prep dinner.
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Optional extras: Add a splash of cream or a spoon of Dijon mustard to the gravy for an extra layer of richness.
Serving Ideas
I can’t imagine serving these without a big scoop of mashed potatoes to catch all that gravy. But if you want to switch things up, try:
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Buttered egg noodles or white rice
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Roasted carrots or green beans on the side
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A simple side salad with vinegar dressing for a little balance
And if you’re short on time, store-bought mashed potatoes are perfectly fine. Trust me — once that onion gravy hits, no one’s complaining.

FAQs
Is this the same as Salisbury steak?
Pretty close! Chopped steak, hamburger steak, and Salisbury steak are all cousins. Salisbury steak usually has a touch more seasoning and sometimes a splash of ketchup or mustard in the mix.
Can I use ground turkey instead?
Yes — but add a little extra Worcestershire and maybe a spoonful of olive oil to keep it juicy.
How do I keep the patties tender?
Don’t overmix the meat, and let it rest for a few minutes before serving so the juices redistribute.
Can I make it gluten-free?
Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and cornstarch instead of flour for the gravy. Works just as well!
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely — just use a larger skillet or cook the patties in batches, then make the gravy with all the drippings together.
Chopped Steak Recipe
Bring a touch of homestyle comfort to your dinner table with these juicy Chopped Steaks smothered in a rich onion gravy.
Ingredients
For the Steaks:
- 2 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ⅓ cup plain breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1½ teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil
For the Gravy and Assembly:
- 2 large white onions, thickly sliced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 3 cups beef stock
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Prepared mashed potatoes, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and warm a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, and pepper until evenly mixed. Shape the mixture into four oval patties about 1½ inches thick.
- Add oil to the hot skillet and sear the patties in batches, cooking for about 3–4 minutes per side until browned. Transfer the partially cooked steaks to a plate and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the sliced onions and cook for 4–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly golden. Stir in the butter and flour to form a roux, cooking for about a minute before slowly whisking in the beef stock and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer until slightly thickened, then season to taste with pepper.
- Nestle the seared steaks back into the pan with the onion gravy, spooning some of the sauce over the top. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 150°F.
- Serve the chopped steaks warm with plenty of onion gravy spooned over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes.
Notes
- For an extra-rich flavor, use homemade beef stock or add a splash of red wine to the gravy. If you prefer a deeper sear on your patties, use high heat for the first minute on each side before lowering it slightly to finish browning.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 1005Total Fat 64gSaturated Fat 23gTrans Fat 2gUnsaturated Fat 33gCholesterol 318mgSodium 1388mgCarbohydrates 33gFiber 3gSugar 7gProtein 72g
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.
Final Thought
This Chopped Steak recipe is a reminder of why the simplest meals often mean the most. It’s not fancy or complicated — just deeply satisfying. The kind of dinner that fills your house with warmth and your table with silence because everyone’s too busy eating.
So go ahead and bring this old-school favorite back to your table. Serve it with mashed potatoes, a side of vegetables, and a lot of love — just like Mom used to.

