Easy Salisbury Steak Recipe (Tender Patties with Rich Onion Gravy)
Salisbury steak is classic comfort food made with juicy seasoned beef patties simmered in a rich brown onion gravy. It is hearty, flavorful, budget-friendly, and perfect for busy weeknights when you want a satisfying homemade dinner.
This easy Salisbury steak recipe comes together in about 30 minutes on the stovetop, and I’m also sharing a slow cooker version for days when you want dinner waiting for you.
Serve it over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles for a cozy meal the whole family will love.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Tender and flavorful: The patties stay juicy while soaking up the delicious gravy.
- Easy weeknight dinner: The stovetop version is ready in around 30 minutes.
- Slow cooker option: Great for busy days when you want a hands-off meal.
- Budget-friendly: Made with affordable ground beef and pantry staples.
- Comfort food favorite: Rich gravy and savory beef make this a family classic.
- Perfect for leftovers: Reheats beautifully the next day.
🥩 What Is Salisbury Steak?
Salisbury steak is made from seasoned ground beef shaped into steak-like patties, then cooked in a savory onion gravy. It looks like steak but has the comfort and flavor of a homemade hamburger patty with rich sauce.
It has been a beloved American comfort food for generations and is especially delicious served with mashed potatoes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You can find the full measurements in the recipe card below.
For the Patties
- Ground beef: Use lean ground beef for juicy patties with less grease.
- Onion: Adds moisture and flavor.
- Garlic: Adds rich savory depth.
- Breadcrumbs: Help bind the patties and keep them tender.
- Egg: Helps hold everything together.
- Ketchup: Adds richness and subtle sweetness.
- Mustard: Adds depth and balance.
- Worcestershire sauce: Gives classic savory flavor.
- Black pepper: Adds gentle warmth.
- Salt: Enhances flavor.
For the Gravy
- Onion: Sliced onions create sweet savory flavor.
- Garlic: Makes the gravy richer.
- Butter or oil: For cooking the onions.
- Flour: Thickens the gravy.
- Bouillon or broth: Adds deep savory flavor.
- Water: Helps create the sauce.
- Salt and pepper: Season to taste.
How to Make Salisbury Steak (Stovetop)
Step 1
In a bowl, combine all patty ingredients. Mix gently until just combined.
Step 2
Shape into 4 oval patties.
Step 3
Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the patties on both sides until browned. Remove and set aside.
Step 4
In the same skillet, cook the onions until softened and lightly golden. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Step 5
Stir in the flour and cook briefly.
Step 6
Slowly add broth or water while stirring until smooth.
Step 7
Return the patties to the skillet. Cover and simmer until the patties are fully cooked and the gravy has thickened.
Step 8
Serve hot with mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles.
Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
Step 1
Prepare and sear the patties as directed above.
Step 2
Place sliced onions in the slow cooker and add patties on top.
Step 3
Pour in the broth mixture and cook on low for about 5 hours.
Step 4
Remove patties, thicken the gravy with cornstarch slurry, then return patties to the slow cooker.
Step 5
Serve warm.
Pro Tips
- Do not overmix the beef: This keeps the patties tender.
- Sear first: Browning adds flavor and helps the patties hold shape.
- Slice onions evenly: They cook more consistently.
- Simmer gently: Keeps the patties juicy.
- Taste the gravy: Adjust seasoning before serving.
- Use broth for extra flavor: Great alternative to bouillon.
What to Serve With Salisbury Steak
This hearty dish pairs beautifully with:
- Corn on the cob
- Mashed potatoes
- Buttered rice
- Egg noodles
- Roasted vegetables
- Green beans
- Dinner rolls
Delicious Variations
- Mushroom gravy: Add sliced mushrooms with the onions.
- Turkey version: Use ground turkey instead of beef.
- Mini patties: Make smaller patties for faster cooking.
- Extra onion gravy: Double the gravy ingredients if you love more sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salisbury steak made with real steak?
It is made with seasoned ground beef shaped into patties, not whole steak cuts.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare the patties in advance and refrigerate until ready to cook.
How do I keep patties from falling apart?
Use breadcrumbs and egg, and avoid flipping too often.
Can I freeze Salisbury steak?
Yes. Freeze cooked patties with gravy for up to 3 months.
What is the best side dish?
Mashed potatoes are the classic favorite.
Storing and Reheating
Refrigerator
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer
Freeze in a sealed container for up to 3 months.
Reheating
Warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a splash of water or broth if the gravy becomes too thick.
🥩 Make Ahead Tip
You can shape the patties a day in advance and refrigerate until ready to cook. This makes dinner even easier on busy nights.
⭐ Please Rate and Review
If you tried this Salisbury steak recipe and loved it, please leave a 5-star rating and comment below. I’d love to hear how you served it!
Salisbury Steak with Delicious Gravy
Ingredients
FOR THE SALISBURY PATTIES
- 400 gm ground beef
- ¾ tablespoon garlic minced
- 1 ½ tablespoon onion minced
- ⅓ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- ½ cube chicken bouillon
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg
FRYING THE BEEF PATTIES
- ¼ cup olive oil or any cooking oil
FOR THE GRAVY
- 1 large onion
- 2 garlic minced
- 1 ½ tablespoon all-purpose – flour
- 1 ¾ cup cold water
- ½ cube chicken bouillon
- Black pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions
MAKING THE SALISBURY PATTIES
- In a bowl, add all the beef patties ingredients and mix well to combine.
- Form oval-shaped patties and make them as thick as a steak cut.
- In a hot pan, add olive oil. Fry the patties until brown (not burnt) from both sides. Keep aside.
MAKING THE GRAVY
- In the previous hot pan, add two tablespoons of butter to the remaining oil.
- Add the onion and fry until light brown.
- Add the rest of the ingredients except the water and stir well for at least two minutes on medium heat. Or until the raw smell of flour is gone.
- Pour the cold water while stirring; when the sauce bubbles, add the beef patties.
- Cook the patties in the sauce until the sauce turns into a thick gravy, and this might take 5 minutes on medium heat. Always check on the patties and the sauce to void burning it.
- Serve the salisbury steak hot with mashed potatoes or plain rice.
Video
Notes
- You can use ground lamb instead of beef.
- The post above mentions how to cook this dish in a crockpot.
- This post was first published in 2018. I have updated the post with more information and a video. The recipe remained the same.
- You can use store-bought breadcrumbs or make your own.
- Instead of chicken bouillon, you can go for 1 ¾ cup beef broth or chicken broth. Omit the water and the bouillon from the recipe.
It’s very similar to Hackbraten here in Germany…oh man, I am so hungry now..the steak looks so very yummy with that shiny and flavourful gravy.
Hey Angie, thanks for the kinds words :). I just saw the images for Hackbraten, it looks delicious!
Oh, my gracious! Completely and totally mouthwatering! I love Salisbury Steak and I haven’t made it in years. I’m gluten free now, but I can always use a gluten-free flour or maybe even cornstarch! Pinning this to try it myself! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Thank you, Kristi! I look forward to your feedback and I hope you enjoy it 🙂
I don’t think I’ve ever had Salisbury steak before. I’ll have to try this!
Hey Jaye, Please go ahead and give it a try you will love it!
Thank you so much for the very clear instructions the only things I change was adding more seasoning to the gravy because i didn’t have any bouillon and I cooked my meat all the way through instead lf just searing it 1st. served over some rice with cornbread was just amazing
Thank you so much for your feedback ☺
Salisbury steak is so easy to make and makes for a great comfort meal. The key it is rich brown gravy which yours looks delicious.
Thank you, Candy 🙂
Thanks for sharing, I’ll prepare tomorrow for mom, I’m sure she will enjoy. I love your site!😋🍴👏
It’s so sweet of you to cook for your mom, God bless you 🙂
Salisbury steak is not really “known” here in the Philippines. I believe our version here is simply called “burger steak” but the patty is much thinner than what you’ve made. Anyway, your photos are so good it made me drool!
Hi Janine, I think I had Burger Steak at Jollibee’s years ago. I loved it! Now I can tell you that Salisbury Steak tastes a little different. Burger steak tastes lighter in spices for me yet delicious of course, the gravy though, tastes almost the same.
Reminds me of a mini meatloaf! I remember the first time my grandpa ordered Salisbury steak. I totally thought a steak was coming to our table and was quite surprised when the dish arrived. Haha.
LOL! Thank God I’m not the only one who got surprised 🙂
We could never turn down a good meal like this! I love Salisbury steak with mashed potatoes. This looks very delicious.
Yum that gravy sounds amazing. I have a weakness for good gravy and mashed potatoes 🙂
I’m vegetarian but I definitely want to take this gravy recipe and switch the chicken bullion for vegetable bullion! this looks awesome and you took great photos:)
Thank you, Alice!
This is my idea of comfort food! Since going keto, though, I have had to change up a few things. However, nothing takes the place of good gravy!
I can’t agree more! A good gravy is the soul of the dish.
This looks so delicious! I’ll have to try making it sometime, thanks for sharing your recipe!
You are welcome 🙂
Hot diggity dog! I am not a Salisbury steak person but, after seeing this image I really want to give it a try now. This looks so delicious, maybe I will give this a try the weekend. Thanks for sharing recipe
You are welcome, Lisa!
When the cut of beef is premium grade, for sure the salisbury steak would taste marvelous. I also like thick gravy that comes with it. It’s so good to eat with rice!
Salisbury Steak and mashed potatoes are just one of those comfort foods that are good to partake in every once in a while. Your sauce or gravy looks wonderful!
That looks absolutely mouthwatering, I can’t wait to try this. I’m sure my husband would love to eat this.
This is my favorite dish since I was a kid. My used to make it at least once a week. After I get married and moved out I am missing this big time. Thank for sharing this recipe I am so excited to try this on weekend.
I love taking old classics and making them even more delicious–you’ve inspired me. I need to take a crack at Salisbury, myself!
This looks oh so good! Steak of is one of my fav foods hands down!
xx Tatyanna
I had no idea this was ground beef! I want to try it now because it sounds much more appealing knowing what it really is.
I’ve lived in the US my whole life, and I don’t think I’ve ever had Salisbury steak. Yours looks really amazing!
This looks wonderful! The first time I made salisbury steak my husband said he didn’t know you could make that and thought it was just a TV Dinner. WHAT?! This recipe looks amazing and I’ll definitely try it!
Thank you, Heather 🙂
When I was a kid, Salisbury steak was my favorite dish. I think I probably haven’t had it since I was a kid! Thanks for the recipe and the inspiration.
You are most welcome, Jeff! There are many delicious dishes out there that we often forget to make.
I love a good salisbury steak. I bet my family would love this recipe. It looks so easy to make.
It won’t take much time to prepare, I promise 😉
Everyone in my family thought this was the best Salisbury Steak we have made. We served it with mashed potatoes. My 4 year old daughter ate her whole piece.
Hi Maria, I’m so happy to hear that, God bless you and your family 🙂
I made this tonight after realizing I needed to cook some ground beef before it goes bad. I was just looking for “anything to use the meat”…I did NOT expect to love this recipe so much!!! My husband has never had Salisbury steak and was skeptical when he saw it and realized it wasn’t being eaten with bread (he thought it was just a wet burger or something, lol). After the first bite, he let me know that this needs to be in our regular rotation! Everything was yummy, and I can’t wait to make it again!!
You made my day, thank you so much 😊