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Turn basic ground beef into a snug family meal with this quick Salisbury Steak. This from-scratch take beats frozen meals by using fresh stuff and making a thick, tasty gravy.
I've made this dozens of times and found that getting the meat mixture right and nailing the gravy are what makes or breaks this dish.
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Key Components:
- Ground beef (80/20 or 96/4)
- Smashed crackers: Saltines or Ritz work great as binders
- Chopped onion: Adds wetness and flavor
- Worcestershire sauce: Brings deep flavor punch
- Beef stock: Makes the gravy smooth
- Basic spices: Pepper, salt, garlic, sage
I've learned that beef with more fat makes juicier patties and really steps up the whole dish.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Create Your Patties
- Combine onion, egg, crushed crackers, beef
- Mix in all the spices well
- Press into oval shapes
- Make them all the same size for even cooking
- Get a Good Brown
- Wait until pan is super hot
- Pour oil then add meat
- Let them sit still for 4-5 minutes
- Turn just once for nice crust
- Whip Up the Gravy
- Cook garlic till you can smell it
- Stir in flour and Worcestershire
- Pour hot beef stock while stirring
- Scrape bottom for those tasty bits
- Complete the Dish
- Put patties back in the sauce
- Cook till meat is done
- Gravy should stick to a spoon
- Wait 5 minutes before eating
When I first cooked this, I noticed how much better it tastes when the meat sits in the warm gravy for a few minutes.
Tasty Companions:
Put it on top of buttery mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or warm egg noodles - anything that soaks up all that yummy gravy.
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Keeping Leftovers:
Pack meat and gravy in different containers. Stays good in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Smart Cooking Tricks:
- Mix meat with cool hands
- Don't flatten patties too much
- Check gravy flavor before adding meat
- Don't skip scraping the pan
I've made this so many times now and can tell you that taking your time with the browning really gives you the tastiest outcome.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → Is it made with steak?
- Nope, it's seasoned ground beef patties with gravy, not actual steak.
- → Can I swap beef for turkey?
- Yes, just switch beef stock for chicken stock if you do.
- → What sides work well?
- Try mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, egg noodles, or any pasta you love.
- → Can leftovers go in the freezer?
- Totally! Just freeze the patties separately and keep the gravy in a container for up to 3 months.
- → What types of crackers are best?
- Ritz or Saltines are great, but any type could work just fine.