Hamburger Steak With Sweet Onion-Mushroom Gravy Recipe

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For when you're craving comfort food in a hurry.

Southern Living Hamburger Steak plated serving with mashed potatoes and green beans
Photo:

Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey

Active Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Servings:
4

This classic Southern meal can be enjoyed on even the busiest weeknights. The patties can be prepared and frozen for up to three months. Once the patties are thawed, your hamburger steak will be ready in about 20 minutes.

What's in Hamburger Steak?

A classic hamburger steak is little more than salt, pepper, ground beef, garlic, and whatever you need to make the sauce or gravy. This one has a few added ingredients—bread and egg—to boost the flavor and help it hold together while cooking.

To speed things up, we're using a packet of brown gravy mix to make a deeper, richer sauce without all the steps—though if you want to make your own pan sauce, please feel free. It's a great idea especially on slower nights or weekends when you have the time.

Is Hamburger Steak Just a Hamburger Patty?

Not exactly. A hamburger patty for an actual hamburger is often just ground beef and salt and pepper. Some burger grillers may marinade or sprinkle on extra seasonings.

But a hamburger steak can have extra ingredients for flavor and tenderness, like we have in this recipe. Because the burger is accompanied by toppings and condiments, the burger itself is often very basic, but the hamburger steak can be boosted with all sorts of seasonings to match the gravy you're making.

Salisbury Steak vs. Hamburger Steak

You've probably used these two foods interchangeably, and you wouldn't be the only one. Truth is, they're very similar, and they're often called the other's name without anyone blinking an eye.

But a true hamburger steak aficionado would argue that a salisbury steak is closer to meatloaf steak (with lots of seasonings and fillings) and hamburger steak if closer to actual hamburger patties.

Ingredients

  • 2 honey-wheat bread slices

  • 1 pound ground round

  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten

  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

  • 1 (1.2-oz.) envelope brown gravy mix

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

  • 1 (8-oz.) package sliced fresh mushrooms

  • 1 medium-size sweet onion, halved and thinly sliced

Directions

  1. Make bread crumbs:

    Process bread slices in a food processor 10 seconds or until finely chopped.

    Southern Living Hamburger Steak making the breadcrumbs in a food processor

    Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey

    Place breadcrumbs in a mixing bowl; add ground round and next 4 ingredients.

    Southern Living Hamburger Steak making the meat mixture

    Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey

    Gently combine until blended, using your hands. Shape into 4 (4-inch) patties.

  2. Start gravy:

    Whisk together brown gravy mix and 1 1/2 cups water.

    Southern Living Hamburger Steak patties formed and ready to cook

    Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey

  3. Cook hamburger steaks:

    Cook patties in hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat 2 minutes on each side or just until browned. Remove patties from skillet.

    Southern Living Hamburger Steak cooking the patties in the skillet

    Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey

    Add mushrooms and onion to skillet, and sauté 6 minutes or until tender.

    Southern Living Hamburger Steak cooking the mushrooms and onions in the skillet

    Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey

    Stir in prepared gravy, and bring to a light boil.

    Southern Living Hamburger Steak adding the gravy to the skillet

    Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey

    Return patties to skillet, and spoon gravy over each patty. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 8 to 10 minutes.

    Southern Living Hamburger Steak cooking the patties with the gravy in the skillet

    Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey

To Make Ahead

Proceed with Step 1 as directed. Wrap each patty individually in plastic wrap, and place in a large zip-top plastic freezer bag. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw frozen patties in refrigerator 8 hours; proceed with Steps 2 and 3.

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