Hamburger Steak

This downhome Hamburger Steak recipe is smothered with a rich and flavorful homemade onion gravy. Serve it with a side of mashed potatoes or buttered rice and it’s a family feast.

Ingredients to Make Southern Hamburger Steak Recipe

We love our skillet meals in the South, and often this sort of protein based entrée comes with gravy. We also tend to find ways of turning less expensive ingredients into a family feast. Salisbury steak or hamburger steak is one such example, and this easy recipe is smothered with a simple and rich, homemade onion gravy. It’s a comfort food skillet meal that is guaranteed to hit the spot. Ingredients to make Southern Hamburger Steak and Gravy: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

• Ground Beef: Two pounds ground sirloin or lean ground beef.
• Onion: Sweet onion or yellow onion diced finely.
• Breadcrumbs: You can use panko breadcrumbs or fresh breadcrumbs.
• Pantry Seasonings: Seasoned salt, freshly ground black pepper, granulated garlic and onion powder
• Sauce: You can use Worcestershire sauce or A1 Steak sauce for a steak-like enhancement to the flavor.
• Eggs: Two eggs add moisture and bind the hamburger mixture.
• Oil: Vegetable oil or olive oil for frying.
• Gravy: All purpose flour to make the roux.
• Onion: Thinly sliced sweet onion.
• Butter: Unsalted butter for a rich gravy.
• Liquid: Low sodium beef stock or beef broth.
• Seasonings: Salt and black pepper.
• Cream: Gives the gravy a creamy texture.
• Garnish: Fresh Italian parsley or chives.

How to Make the Best Hamburger Steak Recipe with Onion Gravy

What’s in Hamburger Steak? This Hamburger Steak recipe begins with ground beef. You can use ground sirloin or ground chuck. My preference is the leaner ground sirloin, 85/15 fat to meat ratio so the steaks will have a really tasty flavor and less shrinking while cooking.

• Make the Ground Beef Mixture – In a medium-size mixing bowl, mix together ground sirloin, 1/2 diced onion, breadcrumbs, seasoned salt, pepper, granulated garlic and onion powder, worcestershire sauce and eggs until fully combined. (The eggs help to bind the beef mixture).
• Divide the Hamburger Mixture – Divide into 4 even oval shaped ground beef patties.
• Brown Hamburger Steaks – Heat a few drizzles of oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Brown hamburger steaks on both per side. Remove to a platter.
• Make Onion Gravy – Cook onion and butter until softened and golden brown. Scrape any brown bits from bottom of pan.
• Make the Roux – Add flour, salt and pepper to the onions, stir to coat.
• Liquid – Cook over medium heat, gradually whisk in stock. Bring to a gentle boil then whisk in cream.
• Add Hamburger Steaks to the Pan – Cover with gravy, simmer until cooked through.
• Serve – Spoon onion gravy over hamburger steaks and serve garnished with parsley.

Tips for Making Hamburger Steak

• Kitchen Tools You’ll Need: A large mixing bowl or medium bowl for mixing the ground beef ingredients together, a sharp knife and cutting board, measuring cups, tablespoons and teaspoons. a wooden spoon or similar for stirring the gravy, a spatula for turning the hamburger steak patties and a large skillet for frying.
• How Do You Make the Best Onion Gravy? Onion gravy starts with butter, sliced onion, all purpose flour, beef stock 9or beef broth), salt and pepper and cream at the end to add a creaminess and richness of flavor. It’s simple to make and ideal for smothering hamburger steak.
• Classic Brown Gravy: If you prefer a classic brown gravy, you can omit the onion or use a packet or brown gravy mix if you’re pressed for time.
• Make-Ahead Tip: For make ahead preparation, you can fully combine the hamburger steaks ground beef mixture and form into individual portions. Place them into an airtight container and into the refrigerator covered and separated by wax paper, if stacking. This can be done a few hours or up to one day in advance.
• Grilled Hamburger Steaks: You may also opt to cook the hamburger steak on the grill. Prepare the hamburger patties per the recipe then cook the hamburger steaks for a similar time as you would your favorite burger. When doing so, make the onion gravy on the stovetop per the recipe and drizzle it on top after grilling.
• How to Serve Hamburger Steak: Serve with a side of mashed potatoes, cooked rice, green beans or asparagus and a green salad.

Recipe Variations

• Can I Add Mushrooms to the Gravy for Hamburger Steak? Yes, you can. You can add 8 ounces of fresh sliced mushrooms to the onions in the pan cooking until they’ve reduced and released moisture. Then proceed with the gravy recipe.
• Can I Make Hamburger Steak Without Gravy? You absolutely can. You can serve these steaks as is, or topped with cheese and sautéed mushrooms, peppers and onions. Or, any of the aforementioned with a side of steak sauce.
• Protein Substitution: You could make these with ground turkey, ground chicken or ground pork.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers: You can store leftover Southern Hamburger Steak and gravy chilled in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: Reheat gently in a saucepan over medium heat or in single servings in the microwave.
• Freezer Storage: You can store hamburger steaks in the freezer prior to cooking for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge then cook per the recipe and make the gravy.

More Easy Ground Beef Recipes to Make

Ground beef recipes are innumerable as it’s such a versatile ingredient and has so many flavor options. Beef is a regular on my family’s dinner rotation. Other easy ground beef recipes to try:

• See my tutorial for how to Make Ahead Ground Beef for Freezing for busy day meals.
• Easy and delicious Ground Beef Stroganoff.
• Cheesy Nacho Beef and Macaroni is certain to become a family favorite.
• Teriyaki Beef Fried Rice doubles as a side dish and a main dish.
• Barbecue Beef Tater Tot Casserole is a one dish meal.
• Salisbury Steak with Onion and Mushroom Gravy is another variation of this downhome favorite.
• Warm up with a bowl of Crockpot Chili on a cold day with a side of cornbread.
• You may also like this recipe for Burger Seasoning from Simple Joy.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Skillet
• Measuring Set
• Kitchen Utensils
• Knives and Chopping Board