This Southern Salisbury steak recipe is the ultimate comfort food! Tender seasoned hamburger patties are slow-cooked in a rich brown gravy. We’re far beyond the days of TV dinners and school lunches with this satisfying recipe!
- What Is Salisbury Steak?
- Homemade Salisbury Steak Ingredients
- How to Make Southern Salisbury Steak
- Salisbury Steak Recipe Video Tutorial
- Southern Salisbury Steak Recipe FAQs
- Tips and Tricks for the Best Salisbury Steak Recipe
- Best Sides to Serve with Southern Salisbury Steak
- Southern Salisbury Steak Recipe
What is better than a savory Southern-style Salisbury steak? How about homemade Salisbury steak with some fluffy mashed potatoes and a nice serving of Southern-style green beans? Well, it just so happens that I was craving some good ol’ classic comfort food, so that’s what I made for dinner!
This easy Salisbury steak recipe is made with super simple pantry ingredients and comes together fast. If you’re looking for a recipe the whole family will love, look no further.
What Is Salisbury Steak?
So, what exactly is Salisbury steak? Us older babies might remember it as a regular school lunch or maybe a slightly less-than-appetizing TV dinner. Don’t tell me y’all can’t remember those thin meat patties smothered in what was supposed to be gravy alongside the little compartments of corn, instant mashed potatoes, and a brownie. That’s gotta bring back some memories, y’all!
Real talk: I know some people don’t know what real Salisbury steak is, so I am here to inform you, sweeties! Salisbury steak is a meat patty made with a blend of ground beef, spices, and bread crumbs. Once the ground beef patties are formed, they’re fried and smothered in a rich and creamy onion gravy. Sounds pretty dang good, huh?
Salisbury steak has been around since the 1800s. Dr. James Salisbury was a Civil War doctor who believed the minced meat mixture was a health food that would solve digestion issues. The original simple recipe contained few ingredients in the ground beef patties, which is what Dr. Salisbury believed solved soldiers’ ailments. It took off, starting the earliest, if not the first, American fad diet.
Homemade Salisbury Steak Ingredients
So, what ingredients do you need to make this delicious Salisbury steak recipe? Here’s your shopping list! A lot of these ingredients are pantry staples—that’s why this is such a simple recipe! Be sure to check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact ingredient measurements.
- Lean Ground Beef: this recipe only requires 1 pound of ground beef.
- Bread Crumbs: I use regular, but you could use Italian style, seasoned bread crumbs, or panko.
- Eggs: an egg acts as the binder in this recipe, holding the meat mixture together.
- Worcestershire Sauce: seasons the mixture with a savory, umami flavor.
- Onions: the key ingredient for the creamy onion gravy.
- Garlic: I used fresh minced garlic, but if you only have garlic powder on hand, that works just fine.
- Seasonings: keepin’ in simple with seasoning salt, onion powder, and black pepper.
- All-Purpose Flour: to thicken the gravy.
- Ketchup: adds just a hint of sweetness and acidity to the sauce.
- Beef Broth: the liquid base for the homemade onion gravy. Beef stock would work too!
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef to make Salisbury steak?
As I mentioned above, Salisbury steak is usually made from ground beef, and that is what I use. I have heard of some people using ground turkey to make their patties, but I’m going to keep it real with you; I wouldn’t do it! It doesn’t even sound like authentic Salisbury steak to me. If you want to go that route, you do you, boo boo! Ground turkey does tend to be drier than ground beef, so keep in mind the texture of the patties will be different.
How to Make Southern Salisbury Steak
If you want my full homemade Salisbury steak recipe, keep on reading! The printable recipe card has the complete instructions, and I am telling y’all, it’s such an easy dinner recipe that it will be in your weekly rotation!
- Combine the ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings in a large bowl. Mix until everything is well combined.
- Form the meat mixture into four large patties.
- Heat some olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the patties and brown on both sides. Remove from the skillet and start on the gravy.
- Add your sliced onions to the hot skillet—don’t drain the excess fat and oil; this will help fry the onions!
- Once the onions are turning golden brown and translucent, sprinkle in the flour. Then add the ketchup and beef broth. The rich gravy will start to thicken—bring it to a simmer.
- Place the Salisbury steak patties back into the skillet, and make sure they’re completely smothered with that savory brown gravy.
- Simmer the steaks for 15-20 minutes or until the meat is cooked through and the gravy is thick and creamy. Serve over egg noodles, white rice, or with creamy mashed potatoes!
Salisbury Steak Recipe Video Tutorial
If you need a visual guide, be sure to watch the video tutorial below! You’ll want to share this recipe with your friends—especially the single ones, because this dish right here will get you a ring hunnyyyy yassss! 😉
Southern Salisbury Steak Recipe FAQs
Is Salisbury steak just meatloaf?
No, Cousins, this simple Salisbury steak is not your momma’s meatloaf recipe! A classic meatloaf is, first and foremost, formed into a loaf instead of patties. While the meat mixture may be seasoned similarly, meatloaf usually has a ketchup, BBQ sauce, or tomato-based glaze. If you want a meatloaf recipe, check out my classic meatloaf, turkey meatloaf, or meatloaf meatballs recipe!
What’s the difference between hamburger steak and Salisbury steak?
At first glance, most hamburger steak recipes and Salisbury steak recipes might seem almost identical, but there are a few key ingredient differences. Hamburger steaks are usually pretty plain—ground beef, salt, and pepper. Salisbury steaks have more fillers (breadcrumbs, egg, and garlic) that act as binders and kick the flavors up a couple of notches. Both recipes feature a delicious gravy, but Salisbury steaks are ultimately made with more ingredients and much more flavor.
What is the difference between country-fried steak and Salisbury steak?
These two classic comfort foods have much less in common than hamburger steaks. Country-fried steak is made from actual steak—cube steak, to be specific. Cube steak has a much more intense “beef” flavor than regular ground beef. It’s tender and savory when cooked correctly. What’s more, country-fried steak is breaded and fried, whereas Salisbury steak is just pan-fried in a little oil. Breading and frying a cube steak locks in the flavor. It’s the best comfort food and a popular Southern-style breakfast, usually served with eggs and biscuits. One final difference is that country-fried steak is traditionally served with white gravy.
Can I use gravy mix instead of making homemade onion gravy?
Salisbury steak is known for its onion gravy, so you know it’s gotta be good. Some people skip out on making their own gravy and instead use canned soup. I personally don’t like condensed onion soup gravy or cream of mushroom soup gravy. Most of the time, it’s too salty and doesn’t taste anything like gravy! Making your own onion gravy doesn’t take a lot of time or ingredients, and chances are you have everything you need to make it. So, rock with me, live a little, and try making it homemade. Worst case, toss a package of French onion soup mix into the gravy to bump up that flavor. That, I will allow!
Tips and Tricks for the Best Salisbury Steak Recipe
Now, this Southern Salisbury steak recipe is already the bomb.com. It’s so easy to make and really is comfort food at its best. If you want to make it taste even better, here are some quick and easy tips and recipe variations to knock it outta the park.
- Add fresh mushrooms for a delicious mushroom gravy. You can use your favorite kind of sliced mushrooms—white button mushrooms, baby bella mushrooms, Portabella, you name it. Cook them down with the onions in the gravy, and it’s out-of-this-world good.
- Caramelize the onions before frying the Salisbury steaks. This way, you’ll have an intense caramelized onion gravy with deep flavor. If you like your onions more tender, this is the perfect variation!
- You can easily make this meal ahead of time if needed. Prepare the patties a day or two early and keep them in the fridge in an airtight container. Raw patties can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
- You can also freeze leftover Salisbury steak—gravy and all! Because this isn’t a cream-based gravy, it won’t break down or get all gross when thawed. Simply store the steaks and gravy in an airtight container in the freezer, and you have a comforting freezer meal on hand whenever you want it.
Best Sides to Serve with Southern Salisbury Steak
I always serve my Salisbury steak with creamy mashed potatoes and Southern-style green beans, and it’s the perfect meal. Want more side dish ideas? Try these:
- Corn Pudding Casserole
- Soul Food Collard Greens
- Simple Homemade Stuffing Recipe
- Riced Cauliflower
- Oven Baked Corn On The Cob
- Green Bean Casserole
- Cheddar Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Vinegar & Bacon
Loved this recipe? Next time, skip buying the frozen stuff and make this homemade Southern Salisbury steak recipe. Don’t forget to share and save on Pinterest! Keep up with Rosie and I Heart Recipes on social media—you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, and check out my cookbooks!
Southern Salisbury Steak Recipe
Ingredients
Salisbury Steak Patties:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
- 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp seasoning salt or salt free seasoning
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
Onion Gravy:
- 2 medium sized yellow onions chopped
- 2 tbsp all purpose flour
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 2 cups beef broth
Instructions
- Place the ground beef into a large bowl.1 lb ground beef
- Next crack open the egg, and it into the bowl.1 large egg
- Sprinkle in the bread crumbs and seasonings, then the worcestershire sauce.1/2 cup dry bread crumbs, 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp seasoning salt or salt free seasoning, 1 tsp onion powder, 2 tsp minced garlic, 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- Use your hand (or kitchen utensil) to mix all of the ingredients, then form 4 patties.
- Head over to the stovetop, and place a large skillet on the stovetop.2 tbsp olive oil
- Drizzle in 2 tbsp of oil, then turn the stove on medium.
- Once the oil is nice and hot, start adding in the patties.
- Brown each side of the patties, then remove them from the skillet.
- Toss in the onions, and fry them until they soften up a bit.2 medium sized yellow onions
- Next, sprinkle in the all purpose flour, and stir.2 tbsp all purpose flour
- Add in the ketchup and beef broth, then stir everything until it's well combined.2 tbsp ketchup, 2 cups beef broth
- Add the patties back into the pan, and smother them with the gravy.
- Turn the heat down to low medium, cover, and let cook for about 15-20 minutes.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta.
- Enjoy!
Love to see what new recipes you have to post and I love your videos also.They are so simple and easy to do.Thanks!
Thanks Jennifer! I try my best to make my recipes easy to follow!
Oh my goodness sweetie. Again, this is how my mother does her salisbury steaks recipe. I have not done this in such a long time. I am hungry now. lol I will be doing this soon like Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. Cannot wait…Yummy Keep up the good works.
Let me know how it turns out for you!
My entire family loved it! I didn’t change a thing…perfect recipe! Thank you ❤️❤️
Hi, Rosie i follow you on youtube I made this for dinner tonight it was AWEAOME! My hubby loved it. This is the second recipe have made so far can’t wait to try more. I wanted to share my picture i’m not sure how to though. Thank you for posting and sharing!
I’m glad that you liked the recipe! Thanks for giving it a try!
I tried the Salisbury Steak Recipe and my family enjoyed
dinner on last night. Can’t wait to try another recipe very soon.
Thanks for trying my recipe!
my husband and i have been married for 32 years and just lately he has been pining for salisbury steak. never had it, never made it. thought i’d give the old boy a treat and made it for him tonight with your recipe. followed it almost to the letter, less onions and Wondra instead of regular flour. he was IN LOVE!!! i do not eat these types of things because of stomach issues but snuck a bite during the clean up. AMAZING. absolutely amazing. you are wonderful. and you are a real teacher because you sincerely want your students to get it right. thank you.
Hi Georgia! I’m so glad that you decided to give my recipe a go, and happy to hear that you and your husband liked it!!! XOXO
YUMMMMMMMM!!!!
This WILL be dinner tonight!!!
🙂
Awesome! Enjoy!
Delicious ! Keep on posting , I enjoy all your recipes.
Just made this for dinner……gonna make some ranch mashed potatoes to go with it…it smells awesome
Just made this for dinner…gonna make some ranch mashed potatoes to go with it…it smells awesome I have also made your lasagna and it was delish☺️
Awesome! Glad that you like my recipes!
These Salisbury steaks were good. I should have doubled up cause my fiance and daughter wanted seconds & he had two. I used 96%lean and 4%fat due to both of us needing to watch our cholesterol levels so I had to add a Lil more oil when adding my onions. Have you ever made okra??? That’s something I would like to see due to me messing up years ago and I never tried again…LOL. Keep them coming. I love your video tutorials and how precise you are.
My boyfriend recently had implants so he can only eat food that can be mashed with the back of a fork (mostly). Would this qualify as fork mashable? Maybe simmering in the gravy longer? I sure hope so cuz now I want to make this but not if he can’t eat it too.
No, this is ground. Not mashed.
I am so happy that I found your blog!! I can’t wait to start cooking. : )
Hi Dria! I’m glad that you found me!
Omg!! I made this tonight because my husband said recently Salisbury steak is one of his favorites. He said this is one of the best meals I’ve ever made and I agree. He asked me to make it again and to not change a thing. Thank you so much for this recipe.
Glad that you liked it!
Thank you, Rosie, for this great recipe. I couldn’t find my recipe for Salisbury Steak and I looked all over. So I went online and chose yours among several others. Happy I did! When we had dinner this evening and my husband asked if I had made this before, I shared the story. He said he really liked this recipe, ate two helpings and that if I find my old one recipe….I should throw it out! Keep this one!!! So, thanks!
Hi Sunshine!! So glad that you both liked the recipe!
Can’t wait to try this tonight!!
This Salisbury steak was awesome. I gave it five stars . I cooked it on Monday 8/14/17. I used 2 pound ground beef. I got 9 medium size Salisbury steak. It was decilious.I used one large onion. I I used vegetable oil to cook the patties. To do gravy I use olive oil. I used one can oof Swason chicken broth. One can broth is s two cups broth. The gravy was easy. I added two tablespoon ketchup. This recipe was easy. I definitely will make this recipe again. Next time I am going make for Sunday dinner. I made cornbread muffins. Next the Rosie I am make your cream mash potatoes, peach cobbler for dessert and your sweet pootates and southern green beans.
Hi Veronica! I’m glad that you liked the recipe! XOXO
Hi Rosie,
Im making your homemade Salisbury Steak tonight for my husbamd and my son! Camt wait tp try it…..this is the 2nd time that im making it cause they “Absolutely Love It!!!!” Pls post more recipes…
Thank you…..Kimberly Selke
Pensacola, Florida
Hi Kimberly! I will be uploading more. Make sure that you’re subscribed to my mailing list so that you will be notified when I post new recipes.
I made this for dinner tonight and it was awesome!!!! Thanks
Everyone in my family thought this was the best Salisbury Steak we have made. We served it with mashed potatoes. My 4 year old daughter ate her whole piece.
My wife & I have been making different versions of Salisbury Steak for many years. Most recipes call for soup, or soup mixes. Yours was from scratch. Something we rarely see. Wasn’t excited about adding ketchup to the sauce, but gave it a try anyway. Surprisingly it worked! Your recipe was really good! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much for trying my recipe!
You have made it easy for me to make a good gravy and last night we did the smothered pork chops and my husband loved them to tonight it is the Salisbury steak. I can’t wait to do the neck bones and turkey neck bones for him, but we both are excited about the smothered oxtails.
thanks for making recipes that non cookers like me can cook and have my husband enjoy. We are both from the south so this is a blessing for me.
Hi Rosie,
I just wanted you to know I’m making this tonight for dinner it looks amazing also I wanted to tell you last Thanksgiving I made your cannied yams they came out terrific I watch your videos all the time you inspire me so much
Thanks for trying my recipes luv!
I iust made your recipe, and it was fabulous. I’m not much of cook, but this came out fabulous in my opinion. Thanks
I love making this recipe. It was my first time making a Salisbury and I’m not that big of a meat eater but this was delicious. I’m making it again tonight but sadly my potatoes went bad and all the stores close early due to the pandemic. Thank you for this wonderful recipe. I was raised up north and this has broadened my horizons on terms of meals for my family.
I finally found a recipe that my whole family enjoys. Thanks!!!
I made your recipe for dinner tonight. It was very easy and simple to make. It was delicious will make again
Omg!!! This was the bomb.com I did add mushrooms in this recipe. I never heard of Worcestershire sauce until now that sauce made everything “GOODT” lol I never used the minced garlic I didn’t see where to add it. Thannnk u.
Made this for me, my sis and my brother-in-law tonight and it was a hit, along with the other recipes of yours I’ve tried! Will definitely make this again! I seved it with garlic mashed potatoes and broccoli with cheese sauce. Nothing was left
I made this exactly to the recipe! It turned out fantastic! Thank you so much!
use your recipe as meatloaf for the husband and I and i also do the salisbury steak too it works both ways
OMG!!! Made this for Sunday dinner with mashed potatoes and it was on point. Delicious!!! Thank you and I pinned it.
Thanks for giving my recipe a try!
I had some left over hamburger meat and I decided to try this recipe. It was excellent I will make it again…extremely tasty yummy