Salisbury steak is one of those timeless dishes that delivers big on comfort. It’s hearty, flavorful, and smothered in a rich brown gravy that ties everything together. Though it sounds fancy, Salisbury steak is actually simple to make and has earned its spot as a weeknight favorite and diner staple.
At its core, Salisbury steak is seasoned ground beef formed into oval-shaped patties. Think of it as a cousin to the hamburger, but dressed up for dinner. The meat is usually mixed with breadcrumbs, onions, and seasonings, giving it a more tender, meatloaf-like texture. It’s pan-seared to develop that perfect crust, then finished in a savory gravy that soaks into every bite.
The gravy is what sets this dish apart. Made with onions, beef broth, and a little flour or cornstarch for thickening, it’s smooth, rich, and full of depth. Some versions add mushrooms for an earthy twist, while others keep it classic and simple. No matter how it’s made, the gravy is the ultimate comfort element, perfect for spooning over mashed potatoes or rice.
Salisbury steak is a dish that feels satisfying without being complicated. It’s quick enough for a weeknight but cozy enough to serve on a Sunday. It also reheats well, making it a great option for meal prep or leftovers that actually taste better the next day.
While the dish has roots going back to the 1800s, it gained popularity as a staple of American diners and homestyle cooking. It’s easy to see why, it’s budget-friendly, filling, and hits all the right savory notes. You don’t need fancy ingredients or long hours in the kitchen to make it, just a few simple steps and a good skillet.
Salisbury steak proves that comfort food doesn’t need to be complicated. With tender beef patties and rich gravy, it’s a crowd-pleasing dish that brings warmth and flavor to any table.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef Preferably 80% lean
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs Preferably seasoned
- 1 egg Lightly beaten
- 1 onion small, Finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper Freshly ground
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cup beef broth Low sodium
- 1 cup mushrooms Sliced
- 1 tbsp cornstarch Mixed with 2 tablespoons water to form a slurry
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, onion, salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix until well combined.
- Form the mixture into 4 oval patties.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the patties on both sides. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the mushrooms and cook until softened.
- Add the beef broth and bring to a simmer. Return the patties to the skillet.
- Cover and cook for 20 minutes, or until the patties are cooked through.
- Remove the patties again, and stir the cornstarch slurry into the skillet. Cook until the sauce thickens.
- Serve the Salisbury Steaks topped with the mushroom gravy.
Nutrition
Eh, it was fine. Not my favorite. What’s the point of all these ingredients?
Simple and delicious. Also, brown-first then simmer is the way to go. Mine held together well.
I tried this and it didn’t taste good 🙁
This is just like my grandma used to make! So delicious!
That’s awesome! My grandma’s recipes are the best, just like this one. Gonna try it this weekend.
This was delicious! The mushroom gravy was a hit with my family.
I’m skeptical about the bread crumbs. Mine didn’t bind well and the patties kinda fell apart. Maybe my egg was small?
Yeah, bread crumbs can be finicky. If they’re not binding, I’d try adding the egg or even 1-2 extra tbsp crumbs—also make sure the mixture isn’t too wet. Did you measure the crumbs by cup? Those can vary a lot.
Honestly, it was kinda bland. I thought it would have more flavor. I added garlic powder, helped a little.
Worcestershire sauce? Sounds fancy but I’m not sure if I have any. Can I skip it?
Made this tonight—so cozy. The mushroom gravy is legit. I used 85% lean beef and still turned out juicy. Thanks for the simple steps!
I like that it’s not fussy. My patties browned fast though, so I lowered the heat a bit. Sauce thickened nicely with the cornstarch slurry.
I did this once and mine was kinda salty? I used regular beef broth though. Also I think 20 minutes was too long for my patties—next time I’ll check earlier.
Totally agree—mine never turns out “fussy.” Good call on lowering the heat; I’ve had patties brown before they cook through too. The slurry thickening like that is the best part 😋
This is giving diner food vibes. The patties are easy to shape even though I had to add a tiny splash of broth to the mixture because it felt dry.
Totally get the diner vibes—nice description! I’ve found adding a splash of broth (like you did) helps a lot if the crumbs soak up more moisture than expected. Next time you could also try slightly less bread crumbs or chop the onion a bit finer for better binding. How did your gravy come out?
Why does it say low sodium beef broth? I used regular and it tasted fine—maybe the author is too worried. Still great flavor.
I thought it was like meatloaf but it wasn’t! Still good tho.
This was so good! I didn’t have mushrooms, but it was still tasty. Definitely a keeper!
Super easy to make! Will definitely add this to my dinner rotation.
The 2 cups broth seems like a lot—mine reduced too much and got kinda thick early. Maybe I simmered too hard.
Yeah 2 cups broth can definitely feel like a lot—mine did that too if I keep it at too high a simmer. I’d try a gentler simmer and keep an eye on the reduction so it doesn’t get syrupy early.
My grandma always made Salisbury steak from scratch, and this recipe is not the same!! But it’s okay, I guess. Just different.
I don’t get the hype. 20 minutes simmering seems like it could dry out the beef, and the gravy is just broth + mushrooms + cornstarch (pretty basic).
I get where you’re coming from, but 20 minutes covered in a simmering sauce shouldn’t really dry out 80% lean beef—especially once the patties are already browned. The gravy thickness step helps keep everything juicy.
Not bad, but mine turned out a bit dry. I think I overcooked them at step 6. Next time I’ll check earlier and keep the heat lower.
Where did the recipe go wrong? Mine was really tough. 2 stars for effort.