Ultimate Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy
A classic comfort food dish featuring juicy beef patties smothered in a rich, savory mushroom-onion gravy
Why This Recipe Works
✅ Restaurant-quality flavor with simple ingredients
✅ One-pan wonder – minimal cleanup
✅ Customizable – adjust seasonings to your taste
✅ Meal-prep friendly – reheats beautifully
📝 Ingredients
For the Patties
- 1½ lbs (680g) ground beef (80/20 blend for juiciness)
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup finely minced onion
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs (panko for extra crispness)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Gravy
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 8 oz (225g) mushrooms, sliced
- 1½ cups beef broth (low-sodium recommended)
- 1 packet brown gravy mix (or 3 tbsp homemade gravy powder)
- 1 tbsp ketchup (adds depth)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (for tang)
- 2 tbsp cornstarch (for thickening)
- 2 tbsp water (for cornstarch slurry)
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Patties
- In a large bowl, gently mix all patty ingredients until just combined.
- Form into 6-8 oval-shaped patties (about ½-inch thick).
- Pro Tip: Make a slight indentation in the center of each patty to prevent doming.
2. Cook the Patties
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Cook patties for 4-5 minutes per side until nicely browned.
- Remove and set aside (they’ll finish cooking in the gravy).
3. Make the Gravy
- In the same skillet, sauté onions and mushrooms for 5 minutes until softened.
- Whisk together beef broth and gravy mix, then pour into skillet.
- Stir in ketchup and mustard.
- Create a slurry with cornstarch and water, then whisk into gravy.
- Simmer for 3-4 minutes until thickened to coat the back of a spoon.
4. Finish and Serve
- Return patties to skillet, spooning gravy over top.
- Simmer covered for 5 minutes to heat through.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley.
🔥 Pro Tips for Perfection
✔ Don’t overmix the patty mixture – keeps them tender
✔ Deglaze the pan with a splash of red wine for extra flavor
✔ For extra richness stir in 1 tbsp butter at the end
✔ Make ahead tip: Prepare gravy separately and reheat with patties
🍽 Serving Suggestions
- Classic: Creamy mashed potatoes and green beans
- Low-carb: Cauliflower mash and roasted Brussels sprouts
- Comfort food: Buttered egg noodles and steamed carrots
🔄 Variations
🍗 Protein Swaps
- Ground turkey or chicken (add 1 tsp poultry seasoning)
- Plant-based crumbles (use mushroom broth for gravy)
🌶 Flavor Boosters
- Add ½ tsp smoked paprika to patties
- Stir 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce into gravy
🍄 Mushroom Options
- Cremini for earthiness
- Portobello for meaty texture
⏳ Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: 3-4 days in airtight container
- Freeze: Patties and gravy separate for up to 3 months
- Reheat: Gently in skillet with splash of broth
💡 Why This Beats Frozen Dinners
- No mystery meat – you control the quality
- Adjustable salt content – perfect for dietary needs
- Real mushroom texture – not rubbery bits
🎉 Final Verdict
This Salisbury steak delivers old-school diner vibes with homemade heartiness – the kind of meal that makes everyone ask for seconds. The umami-rich gravy transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary.
Chef’s Challenge: Try the red wine deglazing trick and taste the difference!
P.S. For next-level presentation, serve in individual cast iron skillets with the gravy bubbling at the table!