Ultimate Smothered Salisbury Steaks with Rich Mushroom and Onion Gravy

There’s something undeniably comforting about a classic Salisbury steak, especially when it’s generously smothered in a luscious mushroom and onion gravy. This timeless dish brings together simple ingredients to create a hearty, flavorful meal that evokes a sense of home and nostalgia. Perfect for chilly evenings or busy weeknights, our recipe for Smothered Salisbury Steaks with Mushrooms and Onions transforms humble ground beef into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Whether you serve these tender patties with creamy mashed potatoes for a truly traditional comfort food experience or opt for lighter egg noodles, this dish promises to deliver on taste and satisfaction. It’s a versatile main course that’s easy to adapt and a guaranteed family favorite. Let’s dive into how you can create this delicious meal in your own kitchen!

Recipe Card

Hamburger patty covered with sliced mushrooms and onions and gravy.

Smothered Salisbury Steaks with Mushrooms and Onions

5 from 1 vote

Serve these delicious smothered salisbury steaks with mashed potatoes for hearty comfort food or with egg noodles for lighter fare.

AuthorMary Ann

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Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 25 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 8 patties

Calories 373

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef
1 cup bread crumbs
1½ teaspoons salt free seasoning, or to taste
8 ounces mushrooms
1 large onion
2 packages dry brown gravy mix (.87 ounces)
2 cups water

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Instructions

Combine 2 pounds ground beef, 1 cup bread crumbs, and 1½ teaspoons salt free seasoning. Shape into 8 patties.
In a skillet, brown the patties on both sides. Remove the meat from the skillet and place in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Slice 8 ounces mushrooms and 1 large onion.
Add the mushrooms and onions to the skillet and sauté about 10 minutes or until soft and tender.
Whisk 2 packages dry brown gravy mix (.87 ounces) and 2 cups water together, and add to the skillet; cook until thickened, about 5 minutes.
Pour the contents of the skillet over the top of the meat. Bake at 350° for 40-60 minutes or until meat is cooked through and tender.

Nutrition per serving

Calories: 373 calCarbohydrates: 12 gProtein: 22 gFat: 24 gSodium: 509 mgFiber: 1 gSugar: 2 g

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Why You’ll Love This Smothered Salisbury Steak Recipe

This Salisbury steak recipe isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience. Here’s why it will quickly become a cherished favorite in your recipe rotation:

Unbeatable Comfort: Few dishes provide the soul-warming comfort of tender beef patties drenched in a rich, savory gravy. It’s the ultimate pick-me-up meal.
Incredible Flavor: The combination of well-seasoned ground beef, earthy mushrooms, and sweet caramelized onions, all swimming in a luscious brown gravy, creates a depth of flavor that’s hard to resist.
Simple & Straightforward: Despite its impressive taste, this recipe is surprisingly easy to follow, making it accessible for home cooks of all skill levels. It’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Versatile Serving Options: Whether you prefer the classic pairing with mashed potatoes, lighter egg noodles, or even rice, this dish adapts beautifully to your favorite sides.
Family-Friendly: It’s a meal that appeals to nearly everyone, from kids to adults, ensuring a happy dinner table.

Tips for the Best Smothered Salisbury Steaks

Achieving Salisbury steak perfection is all about attention to a few key details. Follow these tips to elevate your dish from good to unforgettable:

Choose the Right Ground Beef: While lean ground beef can be used, a blend like 80/20 (80% lean, 20% fat) provides more flavor and juiciness, preventing the patties from drying out during cooking. The rendered fat also contributes to the rich flavor base for your gravy.
Don’t Overmix the Patties: When combining the ground beef with bread crumbs and seasoning, mix just enough to incorporate the ingredients. Overmixing can lead to tough, dense patties. Gently form them into oval or round shapes. Creating a slight indentation in the center of each patty can also help them cook evenly and prevent bulging.
Seasoning is Key: Our recipe calls for salt-free seasoning, which allows you to control the salt content. However, don’t be afraid to experiment with other additions to your patties for an extra flavor boost. A dash of Worcestershire sauce, a pinch of garlic powder, or even some dried parsley can significantly enhance the beef’s savory notes.
Achieve a Good Sear: Browning the patties in a skillet before baking is crucial. This step creates a delicious crust and locks in moisture, contributing to the overall flavor and texture. Don’t rush this process; allow each side to develop a deep golden-brown color.
Sauté Mushrooms and Onions Properly: The mushrooms and onions are integral to the gravy’s flavor. Sauté them until they are deeply softened and lightly caramelized. This brings out their natural sweetness and umami, forming the backbone of your delicious gravy.
Enhance the Gravy: While dry gravy mix is convenient, you can boost its flavor by using beef broth instead of water. For an even richer, homemade gravy from scratch, you can create a roux (equal parts butter and flour cooked together) after sautéing the vegetables, then gradually whisk in beef broth until thickened. A splash of red wine or a teaspoon of Dijon mustard can also add complexity.
Bake for Tenderness: Baking the smothered patties in the oven allows them to simmer gently in the gravy, absorbing all the wonderful flavors and becoming incredibly tender. This slow cooking method ensures the meat is cooked through without becoming dry.

Serving Suggestions

Smothered Salisbury Steaks are a complete meal in themselves, but pairing them with the right sides can make the experience even more delightful. Here are some classic and creative ideas:

Creamy Mashed Potatoes: The quintessential pairing! Fluffy, buttery mashed potatoes are perfect for soaking up every drop of that rich mushroom and onion gravy.
Egg Noodles: For a slightly lighter but equally satisfying option, serve the steaks over a bed of al dente egg noodles. The wide noodles are excellent for capturing the savory gravy.
White Rice or Brown Rice: A simple bed of steamed rice provides a neutral base that lets the robust flavors of the Salisbury steak shine.
Crusty Bread: Don’t let any gravy go to waste! A slice of warm, crusty bread is ideal for mopping up the delicious sauce.
Green Vegetables: Balance the richness of the dish with fresh green vegetables. Steamed green beans, roasted asparagus, sautéed broccoli, or a simple side salad add color, nutrients, and a refreshing contrast.
Corn or Peas: Classic vegetable sides like sweet corn or tender green peas are always a welcome addition.

Variations to Try

This Salisbury steak recipe is incredibly adaptable. Feel free to experiment with these variations to customize it to your taste:

Cheesy Salisbury Steaks: Before pouring the gravy over the patties, place a slice of provolone or Swiss cheese on top of each steak for a gooey, cheesy twist.
Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the ground beef mixture or the gravy for a subtle heat.
Different Mushrooms: While white button mushrooms work well, consider using cremini (baby bellas), shiitake, or a wild mushroom blend for a deeper, more complex earthy flavor.
Creamy Gravy: Stir in a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of sour cream into the gravy at the very end of cooking for an even richer, creamier texture.
Vegetable Additions: Feel free to add other vegetables to your sauté with the mushrooms and onions, such as sliced bell peppers, finely diced carrots, or celery for more flavor and texture.
Homemade Seasoning Blend: If you prefer to skip the salt-free seasoning, create your own blend using garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, and a touch of dried thyme or rosemary. Adjust salt to taste.

Make Ahead & Storage Instructions

Preparing this dish can be made even easier with some make-ahead tips, and storing leftovers is a breeze:

Make Ahead: You can prepare the Salisbury steak patties ahead of time. Form them, brown them in the skillet, and then let them cool completely. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. The gravy can also be made a day in advance and stored separately. When ready to bake, assemble and proceed with the baking instructions.
Refrigeration: Leftover Smothered Salisbury Steaks (patties and gravy together) can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: This dish freezes beautifully! Once cooled, transfer the Salisbury steaks and gravy to freezer-safe containers. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. For best results, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: To reheat, place the thawed steaks and gravy in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake at 300°F (150°C) until heated through, about 20-30 minutes. You can also gently reheat individual servings on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of beef broth or water if the gravy is too thick.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Salisbury Steak?: Salisbury steak is a dish made from ground beef, often mixed with breadcrumbs, eggs, and seasonings, formed into patties, and then typically served with a brown gravy, often featuring mushrooms and/or onions. It originated in the United States and was named after Dr. James H. Salisbury, an American physician who advocated for a meat-centered diet in the 19th century.
Is Salisbury Steak the same as Hamburger Steak?: While very similar and often used interchangeably, there can be subtle differences. Hamburger steak usually refers to a plain ground beef patty, often fried, and sometimes served with gravy. Salisbury steak, on the other hand, almost always includes fillers like breadcrumbs and seasonings in the patty mixture and is inherently served with a specific brown gravy, making it a more “dressed up” version.
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?: Yes, you can substitute ground turkey for ground beef for a lighter version. Keep in mind that ground turkey is often leaner, so you might need to add a bit more oil when browning the patties and ensure you don’t overcook them to prevent dryness. You might also want to boost the seasoning to compensate for turkey’s milder flavor.
How can I make the gravy from scratch?: To make gravy from scratch, after sautéing the mushrooms and onions, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the skillet. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until a light brown roux forms. Gradually whisk in 2 cups of beef broth (instead of water) until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency. Season with salt, pepper, and any additional seasonings you prefer (like Worcestershire sauce or a dash of soy sauce for umami).
Why are my Salisbury steaks tough?: Tough Salisbury steaks can result from a few factors: overmixing the ground beef mixture, using too lean of ground beef, or overcooking. Ensure you mix just until combined, consider a slightly higher fat content beef, and stick to the recommended cooking times for tender results.

This Smothered Salisbury Steaks with Mushrooms and Onions recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a taste of classic American comfort, made simple for today’s busy households. With its rich flavors, tender patties, and savory gravy, it’s sure to become a beloved staple in your home. Give it a try and rediscover the joy of this timeless dish!

Hearty Salisbury Steaks in Mushroom-Onion Gravy