Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Food & Drink

How to make Salisbury steak, an American classic

This is a simple recipe you can make yourself

By
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.

Related

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.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Hunter Lu
Hunter Lu
Contributor
Hunter Lu is a New York-based food and features writer, editor, and NYU graduate. His fiction has appeared in The Line…
How to make a classic Manhattan (and several variations)
The right way to make this classic cocktail and more to try
A bartender stirs a cocktail in a mixing glass.

One of the world's most ubiquitous cocktails, the Manhattan cocktail has been enjoyed by spiritous imbibers since it was made famous at the legendary Manhattan Club in New York City sometime around 1880. Even while falling in and out of fashion throughout the years, Manhattan has withstood the test of time to firmly cement itself as one of the great classic cocktails of all time.

As with many classic cocktails, the origin of the Manhattan drink recipe is murky at best. The most popular theory is that the drink was invented by Dr. Iain Marshall at a party for Lady Randolph Churchill, mother of Winston Churchill, held at the Manhattan Club. Sounds plausible, but this story never happened. It was later verified that Lady Churchill was never partying it up in New York at that time as she was pregnant at home in England. What is for sure is that the Manhattan emerged on the scene in the 1880s. The earliest known mention of both the name and the Manhattan cocktail ingredients was in September 1882 in the Sunday Morning Herald in Olean, N.Y.

Read more
Learn how to make perfect grill marks every time
Perfect grill marks are shockingly easy to achieve with these easy tips
Steak on the grill

Let's be honest — when it comes to grilling, a lot of the fun is in the show. It just wouldn't be a proper backyard barbecue without all the hubbub that comes once that grill is ignited. The sounds, the smells, the caveperson astonishment and pride when it comes to all things fire-related. The whole thing is rather dramatic. And part of putting on a good show is, of course, a picture-perfect, Instagram-worthy, beautifully charred, and cross-hatched piece of meat. Be it a steak, pork chop, burger, or eggplant, no grilled entree is complete without the cosmetic upgrade of gorgeous grill marks.

Chances are, though, if you've ever attempted these beautifully blackened lines in your backyard, you know just how tricky they can be. So you may have just tossed in the tongs and forgotten the whole thing. And who could blame you? The truth is that grill marks don't make a huge difference in flavor. With all the cooking methods, tricks, and techniques used today, the technique of how to make grill marks is actually something of a lost art. But damn, they're sexy. And if you can get them just right, you'll be sure to impress your guests at your next cookout. So we're here to help with a few tips and tricks for how to get those perfect steak grill marks and make your barbecue show one worth watching.
How to make perfect grill marks

Read more
Wolves Whiskey, Undefeated’s new collab has an American Single Malt not to be missed
This is a highly sought-after release
Wolves Whiskey

The whiskey world is all about collaborations. The newest and most exciting collaboration is a little more unique than some of the others. That’s because it’s not a collaboration between two spirits brands or a whiskey brand and a celebrity (like Nick Offerman and Lagavulin). Instead, it’s a collaboration between Wolves, a luxury California-based whiskey brand known for its single malt whiskeys, and UNDEFEATED, a well-known sportswear brand.
The collection

This single malt whiskey is part of a limited-edition collection between the two brands that also includes apparel like a post-workout robe, a crewneck sweatshirt, a twill hat, and even a whiskey and water bottle. This isn’t the first time Wolves Whiskey has collaborated with UNDEFEATED.

Read more