Simple Salisbury Steak

I am a sucker for Salisbury steak — and not just because it’s comforting, delicious, and one of those easy weeknight meals that somehow tastes like you spent way more time on it than you did. I love it because it takes me straight back to childhood, to evenings spent at my grandma’s house, eating Salisbury steak TV dinners side by side.

Some of my favorite memories of that meal are from power outages, when the lights were out and the wood burner was going, and those foil trays were heated the old-fashioned way. There was something special about sitting there together, with Gram and Pap, eating a simple supper that felt like a treat just because of where — and who — we were with. This version is homemade and heartier, but the feeling is the same: cozy, familiar, and full of memories.

Simple Salisbury Steak

Ingredients

For the Steaks:

• 1 lb. ground beef, lean

• 1/3 cup Italian breadcrumbs

• 1 tbsp ketchup

• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/4 tsp black pepper

• 1 large egg

For the Mushroom Gravy:

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 2 tbsp butter

• 1/2 medium onion, sliced

• 1 tsp garlic, minced

• 8 oz. brown mushrooms, sliced

• 3 tbsp all purpose flour

• 1 3/4 cup beef broth

• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• salt and pepper

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Instructions

For the Steaks:

• Combine the ingredients for the steaks in a bowl and mix completely. Divide the mixture into 4 equal parts, then shape the meat into oval size patties, about 3/4" thick.

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add in 1 tbsp oil in pan. Sear the meat patties on each side for about 3 minutes, until a nice golden brown crust is formed on each side. (NOTE - the patties will not be cooked through at this point). Remove from skillet and set aside.

• For the Mushroom Gravy:

  • In the same skillet, toss in the onions and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in mushrooms and cook until browned, another 3 minutes. Finally stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

  • Melt the 2 tbsp of butter into the onions and mushrooms then stir in the flour. Cook until the mixture is thick, about 1 to 2 minutes.

  • Reduce heat to medium low and gradually stir in the beef broth, until the mixture becomes smooth. Season with the Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper and bring to a simmer.

  • Return steak patties to the pan and nestle into the gravy. Cover and cook about 10 minutes, until the internal temperature of the steak patties reaches 160 degrees F.

  • Serve salisbury steak warm over mashed potatoes with the mushroom gravy spooned over top. Enjoy!

Good beef, simple ingredients, and a hot oven — that’s farm kitchen cooking.