Hamburger Steaks with Gravy

Hamburger Steaks and Gravy is a comforting, classic dish where seasoned ground beef patties are cooked with peppers and onions and then simmered in a rich, thick brown gravy. It’s a hearty meal that brings warm flavors and fills the kitchen with a nostalgic aroma that instantly makes you feel at home.

I first made this recipe on a busy weeknight when I needed comfort food fast, and now it’s a family favorite. My kids especially love how the patties soak up the gravy and go perfectly with mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

• Ground beef: the star of the dish providing hearty flavor and protein choose 80/20 for the best balance of juiciness and texture
• Crushed crackers or bread crumbs: help bind the patties without weighing them down plain saltine crackers work great for a neutral taste
• One large egg: is the glue that holds everything together
• Half a green pepper: finely diced adds a mild sweet crunch and a pop of color
• Half a small yellow onion: finely diced deepens flavor and adds natural sweetness when cooked
• Worcestershire Sauce: gives a subtle tang and umami boost
• Salt and ground black pepper: for basic seasoning
• Brown gravy packet: creates a thick savory sauce use a good quality or homemade mix if you can
• French onion soup: intensifies the richness with onion and beef broth notes
• Cream of chicken soup: contributes creaminess and smooth texture in the gravy
• Water: to thin out the gravy to the perfect consistency

Instructions

Satisfy the mixture:

In a spacious bowl combine the ground beef crushed crackers or bread crumbs egg diced green pepper diced yellow onion Worcestershire sauce salt and black pepper. Use your hands to gently but thoroughly mix everything together. Getting your hands involved ensures every bit is evenly seasoned and bound.

Warm the skillet:

Preheat a cast iron skillet or a heavy sauté pan over mediumhigh heat. If your pan is not nonstick spray it lightly with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Shape the patties:

Divide the mixture into four equal portions. Shape each into an oval patty roughly the size of a burger about half an inch thick. Try not to pack them too tight to keep them tender.

Brown the steaks:

Place the patties into the hot skillet. You should hear a satisfying sizzle. Let them brown without moving for about three to four minutes on the first side to develop a rich crust. Flip and brown the other side for the same amount of time. Remember they are not fully cooked yet this step is about building deep meaty flavor.

Prepare the gravy:

Remove the browned patties and set them aside on a plate. To the same skillet add the brown gravy packet French onion soup cream of chicken soup and water. Use a whisk to stir everything together well working through any lumps. This may take a minute or two but is crucial for a smooth sauce.

Simmer to finish:

Return the patties to the skillet nestling them gently into the gravy. Spoon a little gravy over each patty to coat the tops. Cover the pan with a lid or foil reduce the heat to low and let everything simmer for about ten minutes. This allows the patties to cook fully through and absorb the gravys flavors. The internal temperature should reach 160 Fahrenheit to be safe.

Serve warm:

Once cooked serve the hamburger steaks and gravy immediately. They’re fantastic over creamy mashed potatoes to soak up all that luscious gravy.

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My favorite part is how the gravy becomes so creamy and flavorful with just a few pantry staples. I remember making this when my parents came over unexpectedly and they were blown away by how such simple ingredients transformed into such a homey delicious meal. It’s comfort food at its finest and always brings people back for seconds.

Storage Tips

To store leftovers allow the hamburger steaks and gravy to cool completely. Transfer into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. When reheating warm gently on the stove or microwave with a lid to keep moisture in.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don’t like French onion soup you can swap it out for beef broth to keep the beefy flavor but reduce salt and onion intensity. Cream of mushroom soup can be used instead of cream of chicken for a slight earthy undertone that works well with this dish. For a glutenfree version use glutenfree crackers or glutenfree bread crumbs and choose glutenfree gravy mix.

Serving Suggestions

This dish pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes which are ideal for soaking up all that gravy. Steamed vegetables like peas carrots or green beans add a fresh balance to the richness of the meal. Egg noodles or rice are great alternatives if you want a switch from potatoes.

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Serve the hamburger steaks hot over mashed potatoes to soak up all the gravy. This simple comfort meal comes together quickly and keeps well for easy leftovers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Recipes

→ What ingredients make up the hamburger steaks?

Ground beef combined with crackers or bread crumbs, egg, diced green pepper and onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper form the flavorful patties.

→ How should the patties be cooked before adding the gravy?

Brown the patties on both sides in a skillet over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes each, creating a rich crust without fully cooking through yet.

→ What components make up the gravy for the steaks?

The gravy is a blend of brown gravy mix, French onion soup, cream of chicken soup, and water, whisked together to a smooth, thick consistency.

→ Can these steaks be prepared in the oven?

Yes, patties can be baked at 350°F for 30 minutes before adding gravy, then covered and cooked an additional 10 minutes to finish.

→ What are some common side dishes to serve alongside?

Mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles complement the gravy and beef patties perfectly for a balanced meal.

→ Is it possible to freeze the hamburger steaks with gravy?

Yes, cool fully then store in a sealed freezer-safe container; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently.