What is the difference between Salisbury steak and hamburger steak?

While both dishes use ground beef, Salisbury steak includes extra ingredients like breadcrumbs, egg, Dijon mustard, and seasonings, forming a more tender patty. It’s simmered in savory brown gravy , often with mushrooms. Hamburger steak , on the other hand, is typically just seasoned beef served plain or with onions—less complex, but still tasty.

How do I make a simple Salisbury steak recipe?

A simple Salisbury steak recipe comes down to three main steps: Mix ground beef with binders like breadcrumbs, egg, and seasoning. Form into oval patties and sear in a skillet. Make a quick gravy with butter, flour, beef stock, and mushrooms, then simmer everything together. You can make it in under 30 minutes with pantry ingredients, and it tastes just as good as a more complex version.

Can I use onion soup mix in a Salisbury steak recipe?

Yes, and it’s a fantastic shortcut! Using onion soup mix adds instant savory flavor to both the patties and the gravy. Just mix 1 packet into your meat blend or stir it into the gravy base instead of fresh onions or powder. This works especially well if you want that classic, old fashioned Salisbury steak recipe flavor with less prep.

Can I bake Salisbury steak in the oven?

Absolutely. To turn this into a Salisbury steak recipe oven version , just: Sear the patties briefly. Place in a baking dish. Cover with gravy. Bake covered at 350°F for 20–25 minutes . This method is perfect for hands-off cooking or prepping ahead for family dinners.

Salisbury Steak Recipe – The Best Comfort Dish You’ll Ever Make (2025)

Description

Salisbury Steak is a comforting, old-fashioned dish featuring seasoned ground beef patties cooked in a rich onion and mushroom gravy. Perfect with mashed potatoes or rice, this savory meal is a family favorite and weeknight dinner hero.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
1/3 cup breadcrumbs
1 egg
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil or butter (for frying)
For the Gravy:
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 cup sliced mushrooms
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

In a large bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Form into 4 oval-shaped patties.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook patties for 4–5 minutes per side until browned. Remove and set aside (they don’t need to be fully cooked).
In the same skillet, add butter. Sauté onions and mushrooms until softened and browned, about 6–7 minutes.
Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute to make a roux.
Gradually whisk in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
Return the patties to the skillet, cover, and simmer on low for 10–15 minutes, or until cooked through and gravy is thickened.
Serve hot with mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.

Notes

Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
You can prep the patties ahead and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
Gravy can be thickened more with a cornstarch slurry if needed.
Leftovers store well and reheat beautifully in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 patty with gravy
Calories: 410
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 690mg
Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 16g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 110mg