Skip to main content

How to make Salisbury steak, an American classic

This is a simple recipe you can make yourself

Ground beef
Polatdover / Pixabay

An iconic American classic, Salisbury steak is a savory and hearty dish guaranteed to satisfy any meat lover. Made from affordable ground meat, Salisbury steak is a crowd-pleaser and perfect for family meals. While many people might be familiar with Salisbury steak from frozen dinners, a home-cooked Salisbury steak is at a completely different level of flavor and deliciousness. Keep reading for the best Salisbury steak recipe.

Raw hamburger patties on a plate
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Salisbury steak or hamburger?

Although the two dishes might look similar, Salisbury steak is quite different from American hamburgers. Salisbury steak was created in the mid-1800s by James Henry Salisbury. A physician, Dr. Salisbury created the dish in an effort to make an affordable, high-protein meal for Civil War soldiers. Both Salisbury steak and hamburgers evolved from Hamburg steak, a German dish.

Recommended Videos

The differences between hamburgers and Salisbury steak can be attributed to the addition of breadcrumbs, buns, and gravy. The American hamburger is served in a bun with a ground beef patty that’s made without breadcrumbs or herbs (although this can vary by region. For example, the slugburger of Mississippi includes breadcrumbs as a way of stretching the meat). However, Salisbury steak includes breadcrumbs, onions, and seasonings mixed directly into the meat. A proper Salisbury steak also isn’t complete without a rich, brown gravy, which will often include mushrooms. This brown gravy is thickened with flour and poured generously over the Salisbury steak.

Although Salisbury steak is a historic recipe, modern cooks can jazz up the dish with the addition of different spices or herbs. Try using different mushrooms like portobello or shiitake for a different flavor profile. For aromatics, add freshly chopped parsley or roasted garlic.

Salisbury steak from The Forked Spoon
The Forked Spoon

Skillet Salisbury steak

(By Jessica Randhawa, the creator behind The Forked Spoon)

The Forked Spoon is a recipe blog focused on family-friendly recipes covering different diets and cuisines. Every recipe on the blog is inspired by creator Jessica Randhawa’s travels and culinary experiences.

For the Salisbury steaks

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons oil

For the onion and mushroom gravy

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons butter (divided)
  • 2 medium onions, sliced
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 16 ounces mushrooms, sliced
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups broth (chicken, beef, vegetable)
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley (to garnish)

Method

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, mustard powder, and black pepper. Mix well to combine and shape into six to eight equal-sized oval-shaped patties.
  2. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil and swirl to coat the entire surface of the skillet. Add the patties (you may not be able to cook all the patties at one time — work in batches as needed), and cook until browned and sides are crispy.
  3. Flip the patties and cook on the other side (approximately 1-2 minutes on each side).
  4. Remove patties from the skillet and set aside on a clean plate. Repeat with any additional patties as needed.
  5. As soon as the Salisbury steak patties have finished browning, return the skillet to medium heat. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter and add the onions. Cook the onions, stirring frequently, until they are soft and golden.
  6. Stir in the mushrooms and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, stirring often.
  7. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and sprinkle the onions and mushrooms with the all-purpose flour. Stir continuously to remove any lumps.
  8. Slowly stir in the broth, whisking continuously to remove any lumps that may have formed. Add the Worcestershire sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until the gravy starts to thicken (approximately 10 minutes). Stir often.
  9. Tuck the Salisbury steak patties back into the gravy and cook until the patties are cooked to desired doneness (approximately 5-10 minutes), gently stirring the gravy around the patties every few minutes.
  10. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve patties topped with mushroom sauce. Enjoy!
Mashed potatoes
422737 / Pixabay

What sides go with Salisbury steak?

Salisbury steak is a hearty dish that pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Here are some ideas to consider, categorized to help you choose.

Classic comfort sides

  • Mashed potatoes: This is a favorite for soaking up the delicious gravy. You can make them creamy or opt for a lighter option with mashed cauliflower.
  • Mac and cheese: Another comforting option.
  • Egg noodles or rice: Simple and neutral, these two sides allow the Salisbury steak to be the star.
  • Roasted vegetables: Choose from options like carrots, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or asparagus for a colorful and healthy accompaniment.

More adventurous sides

  • Creamed spinach: Rich and flavorful, creamed spinach adds a different textural element to the meal.
  • Sauteed green beans: A quick and easy side dish with a bit of a crunch.
  • Potato gratin: Fancy up your potatoes with a decadent gratin.
  • Loaded baked potato: For a heartier meal, a loaded baked potato is a great choice.
Hunter Lu
Hunter Lu is a New York-based food and features writer, editor, and NYU graduate. His fiction has appeared in The Line…
Topics
Don’t be afraid of using Scotch in cocktails – these bartenders show you how
Beatnick on the River

As today is National Cocktail Day, lots of us will be reaching for our home bars to try out something new. That could be working with a new spirit or an unusual liqueur -- or even digging in the garden for some fresh herbs to add to a mixing glass. But there's one spirit which plenty of people enjoy drinking but rarely mix with, and that's Scotch.

Scotch is most often enjoyed neat, and it used to be the case that even thinking about mixing with it was considering wasteful and unsophisticated. But that time has passed, and now plenty of bartenders and experts are interested in what this powerful, smokey whisky style can add to a cocktail.

Read more
A lesser-known whiskey was named American single malt whiskey of the Year at London Spirits International Competition
Root Shoot Spirits’ American Single Malt Whiskey wins major award
Root Shoot

There’s no denying the appeal of American single malt whiskey. Although it’s only been a recognized category since January, several distilleries have been making it for years. It was so surprising that a name like Stranahan’s, Westward, or Westland didn’t take home the prize of being named American Single Malt Whiskey of the Year at the London Spirits Competition.

The winner was a lesser-known whiskey called Root Shoot Spirits’ American Single Malt Whiskey, which should definitely be on your radar if you enjoy the style.
Root Shoot Spirits American Single Malt Whiskey

Read more
The simple science behind how to cook medium steak
A foolproof guide to perfect doneness
Steak levels of doneness

Every backyard grill master has their version of steak perfection. For me, that perfect middle ground came into focus the day a guest asked, “Can you make mine medium?” The slight panic was real. I had always shot for medium-rare or well-done — I didn't even know there was an in-between.

But learning how to cook steak medium turned out to be less about guesswork and more about a few reliable cues and a good meat thermometer. Cooking steak to a juicy medium pink center, warm throughout, and just the right touch of resistance, means paying attention to detail from start to finish.

Read more