Pin it
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.
Pin it
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.
Pin it
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → 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.