How to Make the Best Homemade Salisbury Steaks

A plate of Salisbury steak topped with mushroom gravy, served with buttery mashed potatoes and green beans
Chef John's Salisbury Steak | Photo by Chef John. Credits: Chef John

There's no one right way to make Salisbury steak. The basic recipe is super-simple: seasoned ground beef patties, browned in a skillet, and served with a gravy, often a mushroom-based gravy. But there are so many subtle variations on the theme. Here we've picked some of our favorite takes on Salisbury steaks. These Salisbury steak recipes cover all the savory bases, highlighting a variety of seasoning options and cooking methods, from skillet to slow cooker, oven-baked to Instant Pot. They all feature rich, savory gravy -- so don't forget the mashed potatoes on the side! Here's how to make Salisbury steak.

01 of 13

Salisbury Steak with Mushrooms

Salisbury Steak with Mushrooms
Photo by naples34102.

Here's a classic no-fuss recipe featuring seasoned ground beef patties, sauteed mushrooms with onions and a rich, pan gravy. "A great from-scratch salisbury steak and gravy recipe I found a long time ago," says Krystal Wetter. "The mushroom and onion gravy is wonderful over mashed potatoes or rice. The gravy is still good without mushrooms. I've made it for my husband that way."

02 of 13

Chef John's Salisbury Steak

A plate of Salisbury steak topped with mushroom gravy, served with buttery mashed potatoes and green beans
Chef John's Salisbury Steak | Photo by Chef John. Chef John

Seasoned ground beef combines with condiments and bread crumbs, is formed into patties and pan-fried, and then simmered in a mushroom gravy. Enjoy served with mashed potatoes and a veggie side for that "TV dinner" feel. "When I was a kid, we didn't have smartphones or the internet, all we had was a TV," says Chef John. "But we didn't care because as we watched, we got to enjoy a little something called a 'TV dinner.' The king of those dinners, in my opinion, was the Salisbury steak, which is what I'll show you how to make here, along with one of the greatest gravies ever invented. Serve with buttered mashed potatoes and a vegetable side of your choice."

03 of 13

Hamburger Steak with Onions and Gravy

hamburger steak with onions and gravy
naples34102

Beef broth and sherry help create the savory gravy here. "An easy-to-make classic featuring tasty hamburger 'steaks' smothered in gravy and onions," says Anne Marie Sweden. "Traditionally served with hot white rice or potatoes, it's a great way to dress up a pound of ground beef and you probably have all the ingredients on hand!"

04 of 13

Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak

Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak. Delta Whiskey

Here's a very quick-and-easy Salisbury steak for the slow cooker. You'll simply form a mixture of ground beef, onion soup mix, and bread crumbs into patties, quickly brown them in a hot skillet, and then add them to the slow cooker, along with cream of chicken soup, prepared au jus mix, and a splash of water. "This recipe goes together quickly and does not need a lot of time in the slow cooker," says TESS. "It's a delicious way to add flavor to ground beef and the children love it! The gravy is delightful served over mashed potatoes."

05 of 13

Midwest Salisbury Steak

Midwest Salisbury Steak
Midwest Salisbury Steak. Lutzflcat

This Salisbury steak recipe starts with lean ground sirloin and features a mushroom gravy flavored with dry onion soup mix and beef stock. "I was tired of boring, tasteless Salisbury steak recipes, so I created this one myself," says Leann Tucek. "Use good ground sirloin, and it'll tastes wonderful and you won't have any grease to drain from the patties once they've browned. Serve over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice. Simply delightful!"

06 of 13

Easy Salisbury Steak

Easy Salisbury Steak
Janet Henderson

Rolled oats stand in for bread crumbs in this simple Salisbury recipe seasoned with dried minced onions. The quick gravy features condensed cream of mushroom soup and milk. "My mom would make this for us growing up. It was one of those easy dinners that we all loved to eat at the family table," says Kendrick. "Now we are still passing it down. My 17-month-old daughter LOVES this recipe. You can add other vegetables if you want (i.e. green onions, fennel, mushrooms, etc.). It can also be made with ground pork."

07 of 13

Scrumptious Salisbury Steak in Mushroom Gravy

Scrumptious Salisbury Steak in Mushroom Gravy
Scrumptious Salisbury Steak in Mushroom Gravy. Sarah Katherine Guest

Buttery round cracker crumbs and poultry seasoning make these beef patties extra tasty. "This simple, hearty dish will remind you of Sunday dinners at grandma's house," says BAGRUBA. "This is my husband's all-time favorite meal. The recipe makes plenty of gravy, so serve with mashed potatoes or buttered noodles."

08 of 13

Low-Carb Salisbury Steak

Low carbohydrate salisbury steak
Photo by Allrecipes.

Beef patties are seasoned and served with a flavorful homemade gravy featuring butter, button mushrooms, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and sour cream. "The steaks are full of flavor and are good on their own!" says ChefDJ. "Then you add the mushroom gravy and it's beyond delicious."

09 of 13

Instant Pot® Salisbury Steak with Onion and Mushroom Gravy

Instant Pot(R) Salisbury Steak with Onion and Mushroom Gravy
lutzflcat

This Instant Pot version combines lean ground beef and ground pork. "Just like Mom used to make, but much faster," says Bren.

10 of 13

Basic Salisbury Steaks

Basic Salisbury Steaks
Basic Salisbury Steaks. Christina

These simple hamburger steaks are ready in about 30 minutes! You'll combine ground beef with bread crumbs and dry onion soup mix; brown the patties in a skillet; and then simmer in condensed golden mushroom soup. "These are delicious steaks my mom used to make when I was growing up," says SARAH1037. "They are easy too! They go great with mashed potatoes or white rice and have a flavorful sauce left over, almost like a gravy."

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Simple and Flavorful Salisbury Steak

Simple and Flavorful Salisbury Steak
Simple and Flavorful Salisbury Steak. Dawn's Recipes

Here's a simple, straightforward Salisbury steak recipe that goes from stovetop to the oven. The mushroom sauce starts with beef broth and cream of mushroom soup and gets a little kick from dry mustard. "I like this better than the other Salisbury recipes," says BarbB. "Cooking it slowly in the oven the meat was tender moist and delicious. I'll add a little Worcestershire sauce and red pepper flakes next time for a little more spice."

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Broiled Salisbury Steaks

Broiled Salisbury Steaks
Broiled Salisbury Steaks. Arizona Desert Flower

These Salisbury steaks are formed from ground beef, minced onion and green bell pepper, parsley, paprika, and garlic and cooked under the broiler. "These Salisbury steaks are flavorful and very moist," says HongKongCV. "Nothing like the shoe leather served in cafeterias and frozen dinners. These steaks go wonderful served with a Belmont sauce."

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