Quick and Easy Old Fashioned Salisbury Steak Recipe
This old-fashioned Salisbury steak comes together in about 20 minutes with simple ingredients and a savory onion gravy. An easy weeknight dinner the whole family looks forward to.
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This is one of those dinners that feels like real comfort food but comes together in about 20 minutes.
Ground beef patties cook in a skillet, then go right back into the pan with a simple onion gravy. By the time everything is done, you have a hearty meal that tastes like it took a lot more effort than it did.
It is the kind of dinner everyone is happy to see on the table, especially on a cold or busy evening. Serve it over mashed potatoes or egg noodles and dinner is sorted.
If you prefer a lighter version, the Quick and Easy Turkey Salisbury Steak makes a great swap using ground turkey and a French onion soup gravy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It pairs well with mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice, so you can serve it with whatever you have on hand.
- This recipe takes only about 20 minutes from start to finish, which makes it a good option for busy weeknights.
- The onion gravy comes together right in the same pan as the patties, so cleanup stays simple.
- It uses a short list of pantry ingredients you likely already have on hand.
- The beef patties stay tender and juicy when simmered in the gravy at the end.
What Makes This Recipe Work
- Using lean ground beef keeps the gravy from getting too greasy without sacrificing flavor.
- Beefy onion soup mix does most of the seasoning work for both the patties and the gravy, so you do not need a long list of spices.
- Adding Worcestershire sauce and ketchup to the gravy gives it a savory, slightly tangy flavor that balances the richness of the beef.
- Simmering the patties in the gravy at the end finishes the cooking and lets the meat absorb some of the sauce.
- The optional cornstarch slurry thickens the gravy quickly if you want it a little heavier, though it works just fine without it.
What Do You Need to Make Homemade Salisbury Steak?
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 envelope dry onion soup mix, divided
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, divided
- 2 tablespoons ketchup, divided
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups water 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 to 2 teaspoons water (optional, to thicken gravy)
How to Make Old Fashioned Salisbury Steak
Mix the Patties
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon of the onion soup mix, 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tablespoon of ketchup. Add salt and pepper, then knead with your hands until everything is evenly combined.
Shape and Cook the Patties
Divide the mixture into 4 patties. Drag a fork across the top of each one to create light steak-like lines. Cook the patties in a skillet over medium-high heat, browning both sides until no pink remains in the middle. Remove them from the pan and set aside.
Make the Gravy
Discard any excess grease from the pan. Add the water and remaining onion soup mix, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom as you stir. Add the remaining Worcestershire sauce and ketchup and bring everything to a simmer. If you want a thicker gravy, stir in the cornstarch mixture and let it simmer until it thickens slightly.
Finish and Serve
Return the patties to the pan and spoon the gravy over them. Let everything simmer together for a few minutes until the patties are heated through. Serve hot over mashed potatoes or egg noodles.
Ingredient Highlights
- Onion soup mix seasons the patties and builds the base of the gravy all at once, which keeps the ingredient list short.
- Worcestershire sauce adds a savory depth to the gravy that makes it taste like it simmered much longer than it did.
- Lean ground beef holds together well in the patties and keeps the pan from getting too greasy as the gravy comes together.
Make It Your Way
- Serve the patties over egg noodles instead of mashed potatoes for an easy variation that works just as well.
- Add sliced mushrooms to the gravy after the patties are removed and let them cook for a few minutes before returning the meat to the pan.
- Use the optional cornstarch if you prefer a thicker, spoonable gravy that clings to potatoes or noodles.
- If you want a lighter version of this recipe, the Quick and Easy Turkey Salisbury Steak uses ground turkey and a French onion soup gravy for a different but equally satisfying take.
What to Serve With It
- Mashed potatoes are the classic choice here since the gravy is really good spooned over the top.
- Egg noodles are another easy option and work just as well for catching all of the sauce.
- Quick & Easy Bacon Pea Salad is a simple, classic side that pairs really naturally with this dinner.
- Easiest Ever Broccoli Salad with Bacon & Cranberries adds a little crunch and freshness that balances the richness of the beef and gravy.
- Green beans or steamed broccoli are easy vegetable sides that round out the plate without much extra effort.
Simple Tips
- Make sure the patties get a good brown on both sides before removing them from the pan, since that adds flavor to the gravy when you deglaze.
- Scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan when you add the water, as those bits go right into the sauce and make it taste better.
- Do not skip the final simmer with the patties in the gravy, even just a few minutes makes a difference in how everything comes together.
- Taste the gravy before adding salt since the soup mix is already well seasoned.
Final Thoughts
This is one of those dinners that is simple enough for a weeknight but still feels like a real dinner. The gravy comes together quickly, the patties stay tender, and the whole thing is on the table in about 20 minutes.
This one is definitely worth keeping in your dinner rotation, especially on nights when you need to feed your people quickly.
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- Southwest Chicken and Rice Bowls – One Skillet Meals
- Easiest Ever Slow Cooker Mexican Carnitas
- Best Ever Stuffed Bell Peppers With Lean Ground Beef
- Juicy Steak Tenderloin Tips With Homemade Zip Sauce
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Comforting and Filling 20 Minute Salisbury Steak Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 Dry Onion Soup Mix divided
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce divided
- 2 tablespoons ketchup divided
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 to 2 teaspoons water optional
Instructions
- Combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon of the soup mix, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon ketchup, salt, and pepper. Knead until evenly mixed and divide into 4 patties. Drag a fork across the top of each to create light lines.
- Cook the patties in a skillet over medium-high heat until browned on both sides and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Discard excess grease. Add water and remaining soup mix to the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in remaining Worcestershire sauce and ketchup and bring to a simmer.
- If desired, stir in the cornstarch mixture and simmer until slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
- Return the patties to the pan, spoon gravy over them, and simmer for a few minutes until heated through. Serve hot.
