My Salisbury Steak Recipe is 100% from-scratch with no pre-made gravies or ketchup. It takes just 35 minutes to make and freezes beautifully! Recipe includes a how-to video!
Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy
Coming at you today with some classic comfort food! My salisbury steak recipe is an incredibly flavorful dish made entirely from scratch without any ketchup or soup/gravy mixes. The steaks are formed out of ground meat, breadcrumbs, and lots of flavorings and seared before finishing in a robust gravy (made with or without mushrooms!). This recipe is easy, satisfying, fast, and it feeds the whole family…my favorite kind of weeknight dinner!
Just like with my sloppy Joe recipe, instead of using ketchup for flavoring, we essentially make our own using tomato paste, sugar, and vinegar. This gives us maximum control over the dish and eliminates any preservatives or unwanted ingredients.
Why try my salisbury steak recipe:
- Pairs well with pretty much any side–I’ve included my favorites below!
- Makes a great freezer meal (like my beef ragu).
- 100% from-scratch and super flavorful.
- Ready in just 35 minutes!
What You Need
Let’s talk about a few of those ingredients up there before we get started with the recipe:
- Ground beef. Yes, ground beef! Salisbury steaks aren’t made from whole muscle steaks but instead use ground beef. Don’t worry though, we will be seasoning our beef with lots of spices and sauces to make sure it’s extra flavorful. Use whichever percentage you prefer; I typically use 93% lean.
- Mushrooms. I personally don’t love mushrooms, but my husband insists that they belong in any good salisbury steak recipe, so I included them here. If you aren’t a fan either, you can absolutely leave them out with no other changes needed.
- Panko. Use plain (unseasoned) panko breadcrumbs. Gluten-free or regular will work equally well. Recently I’ve been substituting the panko for homemade sourdough breadcrumbs.
- Egg. An egg is important for binding the steaks together, it serves like a glue that keeps them from falling apart while you’re cooking.
- Worcestershire sauce. If you don’t want to or can’t use Worcestershire sauce, you can substitute coconut aminos.
- Stone ground mustard. If you have dijon, this will work too. Don’t use regular yellow mustard, which has an entirely different flavor profile.
SAM’S TIP: As with my meatball recipe and smash burgers, we need to be careful not to over-mix the meat mixture here. Over-mixing will result in tough salisbury steaks, so just gently work everything together until combined, then stop.
This is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!
How to Make Salisbury Steak
Make the steaks
- Mix the beef with all ingredients under the “steaks” section until just combined.
- Form into four steaks that are about ½″ thick.
- Sear the steaks in 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium high heat until well browned on each side.
- Remove to a plate and let rest while you prepare your gravy.
SAM’S TIP: Don’t overcrowd the meat when searing, or you could end up steaming it instead of searing it. If this happens, the meat will look grey instead of brown and won’t be as flavorful.
Make the gravy
- Melt the butter in your hot pan and scrape up any brown bits on the bottom of the pan as it cooks.
- Toss in the onions and cook until softened.
- Add the mushrooms and cook until golden brown.
- Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir/cook until it is absorbed, then cook for another 30 seconds or so until toasted.
- Stir in the tomato paste and seasonings and cook until the tomato paste begins to brown.
- Slowly drizzle in the broth while stirring and scraping the pan.
- Add the steaks to the gravy and cook until done. The gravy will thicken during this time.
- Serve salisbury steaks with lots of gravy and sides of your choosing (my suggestions are below).
Frequently Asked Questions
I absolutely love serving this salisbury steak recipe with mashed potatoes (what better pairing for all that gravy?!) and a green veggie, like roasted brussels sprouts. You could also do green beans (pictured below), steamed broccoli, rice or risotto, peas, buttered egg noodles, or dinner rolls.
Yes! If you prefer your salisbury steak without mushrooms, simply leave them out and follow the recipe as written. The dish will still be just as flavorful this way.
This salisbury steak recipe freezes very well. Just make sure to store in an airtight, freezer-safe container and your steaks will be good for up to 3 months.
Personally, if I am planning to freeze this recipe, I typically like to make salisbury steak meatballs instead of steaks (it’s just easier for portioning and reheating!). If you’d like to do the same, just roll your meat mixture into 1 ½ Tbsp-sized and sear them following instructions in recipe.
What are some of your favorite comfort food dishes? Let me know in the comments! 👇
Enjoy!
Let’s bake together! I’ll be walking you through all the steps in my written recipe and video below! If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook
Salisbury Steak
Ingredients
For the Steaks
- 1 lb (453 G) ground beef
- ⅓ cup (20 g) plain panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 Tablespoons coarse stone ground mustard
- 2 Tablespoons worcestershire sauce (may substitute coconut aminos)
- 1 Tablespoon light brown sugar firmly packed (may substitute coconut sugar)
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
For Cooking
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
Gravy
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup (140 g) finely chopped yellow onion 1 medium yellow onion
- 1 ½ cups (226 g) sliced mushrooms optional, I use baby bella
- 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 Tablespoons worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups (473 ml) beef broth see note
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
For the Steaks
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients from the “Steaks” section and use your hands to mix all the ingredients together until well-combined – don’t over-mix or turn the meat into paste.1 lb (453 G) ground beef, ⅓ cup (20 g) plain panko breadcrumbs, 1 large egg, 2 Tablespoons tomato paste, 2 Tablespoons coarse stone ground mustard, 2 Tablespoons worcestershire sauce, 1 Tablespoon light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Form the mixture into four steaks/oblong patties about ½” thick (I often make a small indent in the center to help the centers cook evenly). Set aside.
- Add oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat.1 Tablespoon olive oil
- Once oil is shimmering, sear the steaks in the pan, cooking until well- browned on each side. Remove to a plate and rest while you prepare the gravy. Reduce pan heat to medium (do not clean it out, immediately start making your gravy).
Gravy
- Add butter to the skillet and scrape the pan as it melts.2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- Once melted, add onion and cook until softened.1 cup (140 g) finely chopped yellow onion
- Add mushrooms and cook until golden.1 ½ cups (226 g) sliced mushrooms
- Sprinkle pan with flour and cook, stirring, until flour is completely absorbed, then cook another 30 seconds (to lightly toast the flour).2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Add tomato paste, worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder and stir well, cooking at least 1 minute until tomato paste loses its bright red color.2 Tablespoons worcestershire sauce, 1 Tablespoon tomato paste, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- While stirring, slowly drizzle in beef broth until ingredients are combined (make sure to scrape the bottom of the pan!).2 cups (473 ml) beef broth
- Return salisbury steaks to the pan and nestle into the gravy. Allow to cook until steaks are cooked through (no longer pink in the middle/160F) and gravy is thickened.
Notes
Beef broth
2 cups of beef broth makes a lot of gravy, which we like, especially if serving over mashed potatoes! If you want less gravy, reduce by ½ cup.Storing
This meal freezes well. Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Mary Meier
This is my first attempt at Salisbury Steak. I’ll tweak the seasonings a bit to suit our personal tastes next time, but your recipe technique is great. The meat was so tender and there’s plenty of gravy for mashed potatoes or noodles. And by the way, try Bar Keepers Friend powdered cleanser on your pans. It will shine them right up, and its great on stainless steel sinks.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Thanks for the tip, Mary! We’ll have to give that a try. So glad you enjoyed the recipe ☺️
Charlotte
Like others I plan on making but I already know how good it will be. You have a talent. So glad I came across your site.
Sam
Thank you so much, Charlotte! 🙂
Jayne
I so want to try this, it sounds wonderful, as usual with all your recipes. Just wondering if anyone has tried it in a slow cooker/crackpot.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Jayne! We’re not sure how this would go in the crockpot, especially with the searing steps 🙁 It’s pretty easy to make on the stove though!
Jayne
Thank you for the response
DavidF
This recipe is so incredible. Man, you are gonna put Diner’s out of business.
Lorley
We loved this recipe too. I’ve been making an oven version using condensed soup .. but never again. The mushrooms and gravy were very flavorful and not as salty as my old recipe. Hubby loved it too and the leftovers are just as good. Thank you for teaching an old dog new tricks !
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so glad you gave our recipe a try, Lorley! Thanks so much for the review ❤️
Karyn
Thank you Sam for including using the substitute of coconut aminos !!! Really appreciate you helping us that have allergies to certain ingredients know that there may be other option . Great recipe !!
Sam
I’m so glad that was some helpful information! 🙂
Tom Entler
Excellent!! Spices were perfect. It smelled so good my wife, who typically avoids ground beef, had to try it. She too loved it.
I also like the way the recipe is written.
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Tom! 🙂
Ursula
Greatest Salisbury recipe ever. Seasoning was spot on, well written and easy to follow. My hubby loved it. Thank you for a great dinner.
Sam
This is so wonderful to hear, Ursula! Thank you so much for trying my recipe and for letting me know how it turned out, I appreciate it!
jim hynes
Hi Sam
Loved this recipe and really liked the additional detail in the recipe steps. I am always going back and forth from the steps to the ingredient list. Dont trust my short term memory (ha)
Like this.
Add butter to the skillet and scrape the pan as it melts.
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
Thanks fro another winner.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so glad it’s helpful, Jim! We feel the same way 🤣
Meribeth
I’m sorry I’m commenting before I’ve tried it (of course it will be delicious) but I LOVE how you’ve put the ingredients into the Instructions. That is so helpful when using your phone or other small screen. No more swiping up and down.
Thank you!!
Sam
Hi Meribeth! I’m happy to have comments even before the recipe is made. I do appreciate the feedback on the ingredients being in the recipe. Thank you. 🙂
Janice Weaver
This recipe is incredible! I had it on the table in about 30 minutes; probably because I was hungry!!
I accidentally put in 1 T of apple cider vinegar into the hamburger mix. Oops. I was afraid it would be too strong. But it wasn’t. I should have added more Panko to soak it up. The burgers tended to fall apart. Less chewing needed!
The combination of flavors is awesome. Not overbearing. My husband wanted a second serving but I had to tell him no. I want another meal.
I’m sharing this with all my family!!!! Great job!
Sam
This is so wonderful to hear, Janice! Thank you so, so much for trying my recipe, and I’m glad it still worked with the extra vinegar!
Amber
I made this last night and it turned out great! Next time I’ll cut back on the Worcestershire sauce. It was a bit strong for me but I’m glad I tried something out of my comfort zone. Thanks for the easy to follow directions!
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Amber! It’s always great to try new things. 🙂
Clarissa
Made the meatball version last night for dinner and it was delicious! A big hit with my family. I served it with mashed potatoes and roasted broccoli. Another keeper for the recipe binder!
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Clarissa! 🙂
Misty
YUM!! My one year old ate a whole one by himself! We definitely will be making often! It was so easy considering it was from scratch.
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed them so much, especially the little one. 🙂
Mimi
Comes together quickly for an easy but impressive dinner! More importantly it is so flavorful with all the pantry basics.
Sam
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Mimi! 🙂
Jeanne
Love all of your videos ! Can I use something besides Worcestershire sauce and can I use cornstarch instead of flour to thicken the gravy ? I’m just getting into using an air fryer so that’s the kind of recipes I’m most interested in now. Thank you for sharing all your cooking and baking knowledge – very much appreciate you !
Sam
Hi Jeanne! Yes you can use coconut aminos instead of the Worcestershire sauce. I think cornstarch would be fine instead of the flour, but you will likely need less of it (1 to 1 1/2 Tbsp, I would think). I hope that helps, and I hope you love the recipe! 🙂
Clarissa
Saw the video, right before leaving work, and then headed straight for the store! I’ll me making the meatball version for dinner tonight. I can’t wait.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Yay! Hope you love the recipe, Clarissa ❤️