1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Old Salisbury Steak Gravy

Old Salisbury Steak

Featured in: Comfort Food Favorites

Salisbury Steak combines savory ground beef patties browned until golden and simmered in a rich, velvety mushroom gravy. The patties stay tender thanks to milk and cracker crumbs, while onion gravy adds a deep, homemade touch. Mushrooms are sautéed until golden and cooked in a hearty gravy, perfect for scooping over mashed potatoes. It's a warm and filling dish that takes an hour, ideal for a weekend meal or family favorite.
Pin it Share it Send it Print it Jump To Recipe
punchofyummy
Updated on Thu, 27 Mar 2025 21:21:10 GMT
Tender Salisbury steak with rich, golden-brown gravy for a cozy meal. Pin it
Tender Salisbury steak with rich, golden-brown gravy for a cozy meal. | pinchofyummy.com

The mouthwatering smell of golden onions and juicy beef patties bubbling in mushroom sauce takes you straight back to grandma's Sunday dinners. This Homemade Salisbury Steak turns ordinary ground beef into a soul-warming dinner that'll make everyone feel cozy and satisfied. What makes it special? The perfectly blended meat patties stay moist and flavorful while they simmer in that rich, brown mushroom sauce.

I've made this for my family so many times, and I've learned that letting the meat sit before cooking and mixing everything gently is key to super tender patties. When the sauce simmers slowly and gets all that deep flavor, it reminds me of those family meals at my grandma's table.

Must-Have Ingredients Breakdown

  • Ground Beef: Go for 80/20 meat-to-fat mix for the juiciest, tastiest patties
  • Fresh Onions: Grab yellow ones since they get sweeter and more flavorful when cooked down
  • Onion Gravy Packets: Try to get McCormick brand for the best flavor balance
  • Fresh Mushrooms: White button or cremini work great, cut them the same size so they cook evenly
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Brings that deep, savory kick you can't get anywhere else
  • Fresh Breadcrumbs: Keeps everything together while making sure patties don't get tough
  • Quality Beef Broth: This is your sauce foundation, grab low-sodium so you can control the salt

Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

Step 1: Patty Preparation
Lightly break down ground beef in a big bowl without squishing it too much. Chop onions small and mix them with breadcrumbs and your seasonings. Use your hands to gently combine everything with the egg and spices just until mixed. Shape into oval patties and push down slightly in the middle. Let them sit for 15-20 minutes before you start cooking.
Step 2: Perfect Searing
Get a heavy pan nice and hot over medium-high heat. Pour in oil and wait till it starts to shimmer. Lay patties in carefully, making sure not to crowd the pan. Cook 4-5 minutes per side until they get a nice brown crust. Take them out and set aside while you make the sauce.
Step 3: Gravy Development
Cook mushrooms in the same pan until they turn golden. Toss in onions and cook till soft. Sprinkle gravy mix over everything. Pour in beef broth slowly while stirring non-stop. Let it bubble until the sauce starts getting thicker.
Step 4: Final Simmer
Put patties back in the pan. Pour sauce over each one. Cover and let everything bubble gently for 15-20 minutes. Spoon sauce over patties now and then.
Step 5: Resting and Serving
Let everything sit for 5 minutes after cooking. Pour extra sauce over top. Serve with a big scoop of creamy mashed potatoes.
Juicy old-fashioned Salisbury steak served with savory onion and mushroom gravy. Pin it
Juicy old-fashioned Salisbury steak served with savory onion and mushroom gravy. | pinchofyummy.com

When I was little, my mom always had a gravy boat on the table because everyone would fight over who got more sauce. There's something magical about how the gravy soaks into homemade mashed potatoes that just can't be beaten for comfort food.

Hearty Salisbury steak made the traditional way, a timeless dish full of flavor. Pin it
Hearty Salisbury steak made the traditional way, a timeless dish full of flavor. | pinchofyummy.com

Creative Twists and Variations

You can play with this classic and come up with amazing new versions while keeping what makes it so comforting. After cooking this dish countless times, I've found several ways to make it even better.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prepare Salisbury Steak a day ahead?
Definitely! Store the patties in the fridge for a day before cooking. You could also make the whole dish, then reheat it on the stove.
→ What works instead of crackers?
You can swap in breadcrumbs, panko, or crushed Ritz crackers if you’re out of saltines.
→ Why are my Salisbury Steaks too chewy?
Overmixing the beef or cooking on high heat can toughen the meat. Mix gently and simmer on low heat for the best texture.
→ Is it okay to freeze Salisbury Steak?
Yes! Let it cool, freeze for up to three months, then thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat gently to keep it tender.
→ What side dishes pair best?
Mashed potatoes are a favorite, but you could also try buttered noodles, roasted veggies, green beans, or carrots on the side.

Old Salisbury Steak Gravy

Juicy beef patties in a mushroom-onion gravy. Serve it on mashed potatoes for a warm and cozy dinner.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
50 Minutes
Total Time
70 Minutes
By: Amelia


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (6-8 steaks)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Meat Patties

01 2 pounds of lean ground beef
02 1 medium yellow onion, chopped finely
03 1 sleeve of crushed saltine crackers
04 1 large egg
05 1/4 cup of milk
06 1 pack of McCormick Onion Gravy mix

→ Seasonings

07 1 tablespoon dried parsley
08 1 teaspoon black pepper
09 1.5 teaspoons garlic powder
10 1.5 teaspoons onion powder

→ Gravy

11 3 to 4 cups of diced white mushrooms
12 2 packs of McCormick Onion Gravy mix
13 3 and 1/2 cups of low-sodium beef broth
14 3 tablespoons of butter
15 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire or soy sauce

Instructions

Step 01

Don’t run mushrooms under water. Use a damp paper towel to clean them, then pat them completely dry. Chop and leave them aside.

Step 02

In a bowl, combine ground beef, the first gravy packet, chopped onions, crushed crackers, milk, egg, plus parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, and pepper. Gently mix everything together.

Step 03

Roll the mixture into 6–8 even-sized balls, then flatten each one into a patty about 1.5 inches thick and 3.5–4 inches across.

Step 04

Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a big skillet. Fry patties on each side for around 6–7 minutes until browned nicely. Cook in batches if you have to, and move cooked patties to a clean plate.

Step 05

Melt the rest of the butter in the same pan. Add the mushrooms, cook until golden, and season them with Worcestershire or soy sauce along with some black pepper.

Step 06

Place patties back in the skillet with mushrooms. Pour in beef broth, cover, and cook on low for 25 minutes, turning patties now and then.

Step 07

Mix the remaining gravy packs with 1.5 cups of liquid from the pan, whisk it well, and pour it back. Let it cook for another 8 minutes until the sauce thickens. Let everything sit for 5–10 minutes before digging in.

Notes

  1. Pair these flavorful patties with mashed potatoes for that cozy, satisfying meal.
  2. Want a richer sauce? Blend 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1/2 cup cold water and stir it in gradually while cooking.

Tools You'll Need

  • A large skillet with a lid
  • A mixing bowl for combining ingredients
  • A baking sheet to hold patties after cooking
  • A whisk for blending sauces

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes gluten from the saltine crackers.
  • Contains dairy due to milk and butter.
  • Eggs are included.