Hamburger Steak is classic comfort food made with juicy seasoned ground beef, smothered in brown gravy. Made with simple ingredients, it's an affordable meal that feels homemade enough for Sunday dinner but quick enough for a busy weeknight.
Looking for something else smothered in gravy and just as scrumptious? Check out my Smothered Chicken Breast, Smothered Cube Steak, Beef Tips & Gravy, or the Amazing Brown Gravy Pot Roast.
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Hamburger Steak Recipe
Hamburger steak and gravy is the definition of home-cooked comfort on a plate. It’s made in just one skillet, which keeps things simple and convenient, especially on busy nights.
Using ground beef makes it an inexpensive way to feed the family while still delivering big flavor. The patties cook in a mouthwatering, savory gravy that ties the whole dish together and makes it a hearty meal.
The smell of it simmering on the stove instantly makes my kitchen feel warm and welcoming. It’s the kind of recipe that brings everyone to the table. Let's dig in!
What is the difference between Salisbury Steak and Hamburger Steak?
Both are pan-seared, but the ingredients and preparation slightly differ. Hamburger steak can be made with various ground meats like ground beef, pork, turkey, or chuck.
Salisbury steak, on the other hand, is traditionally made with lean ground beef, such as ground sirloin. Salisbury steak often includes breadcrumbs, eggs, and seasonings for binding.
Is a hamburger steak the same as a hamburger patty?
A hamburger steak and a hamburger patty are similar but not the same. Hamburger steak is mixed with seasonings, bread crumbs, egg, and diced peppers and onions, then smothered in brown gravy. A hamburger patty is just seasoned beef, shaped, and cooked for a sandwich. The main difference is that hamburger steak is served with gravy as a meal on its own.
Ingredients
For the Burger Steak
- Ground Beef: An 80/20 blend works best for juicy and flavorful patties, but you can use leaner protein options if preferred.
- Olive Oil: Used for searing the patties to a golden-brown crust and adding a subtle richness.
- Seasoning: A mix of seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper adds savory flavor to the patties.
- Bell Peppers & Onions: Pre-diced, frozen bell pepper and onion mix is a convenient option to save on prep time without sacrificing flavor.
- Bread Crumbs: Helps hold the patties together and adds a bit of texture. Use plain or seasoned, depending on your taste.
- Egg: Acts as a binder to keep the patties from falling apart during cooking.
For the Gravy
- Brown Gravy Mix: Keeps the dish quick and easy to make while delivering a rich, savory gravy.
- Worcestershire: Enhances the gravy with a touch of tangy, umami depth.
How to Make Hamburger Steak
See recipe card for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Making the Perfect Burger Steak Mixture
To get started, I heat a bit of olive oil in a large skillet—cast iron is my favorite for this recipe—over medium to medium-high heat.
While the skillet is warming up, I combine the ground beef, seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, diced bell peppers and onions, bread crumbs, and the egg in a large bowl.
Mixing everything by hand works best to make sure it’s all fully combined. Then, I shape the mixture into patties about the size of a donut.
Pro tip: You can poke a small hole in the middle of each patty to keep them from shrinking too much during cooking.
How to Cook Hamburger Steak
Once the patties are ready, I check that the oil is hot enough and carefully place the burger steaks in the skillet. I make sure not to overcrowd the pan and cook in batches if needed.
Each patty fries for about 5 minutes on each side, just enough to get that gorgeous sear.
When they’re done, I set the patties aside on a cooling rack, clean plate, or a piece of parchment paper to rest while I move on to the gravy.
Preparing the Brown Gravy
This is where the magic happens! Using the same skillet (because who wants extra dishes?), I prepare the brown gravy according to the package directions.
I like to add an extra cup or two of water to make sure the gravy doesn’t get too thick. For extra depth, I stir in a couple of tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce. After about 5 minutes of simmering, the gravy thickens up.
If you have the time and prefer a homemade gravy, check out my brown gravy recipe.
Simmering Hamburger Steak with Brown Gravy
Once the gravy is ready, I gently nestle the patties back into the skillet, making sure each one is coated in that rich, flavorful sauce. I let everything simmer together on low heat for about 20 minutes. This step is key to infusing the burger steaks with all the savory goodness of the gravy.
Finally, enjoy your gravy burgers!
Pro Tips
- Don’t overmix the ground beef. Mixing too much can result in tough patties, so combine the ingredients just until everything is incorporated.
- Make the patties the size of a donut. This size ensures even cooking and the small hole in the center helps reduce shrinkage.
- Use a cast iron skillet for the best results. It holds heat evenly and creates a great sear on the patties, adding extra flavor.
- Don’t overcrowd the skillet. Cooking the patties in batches prevents steaming and ensures each one gets a nice crust.
- Fry the patties to develop a crust, not to fully cook them. They’ll finish cooking when simmered in the gravy, ensuring a juicy interior and rich flavor.
- Add extra water to the gravy if needed. This prevents it from getting too thick as it simmers and helps coat the patties evenly.
- Let the patties simmer in the gravy. This step allows the flavors to meld together and makes the patties tender and juicy.
What to Serve with Hamburger Steak
- Potatoes: Pair with creamy mashed potatoes or rich, cheesy scalloped potatoes for a classic combo.
- Rice: Serve over fluffy white rice to soak up all that savory gravy.
- Salad: Add a crisp green salad for a fresh, light side.
- Green Beans: Steamed or sautéed green beans make a simple and flavorful vegetable pairing.
- Mac and Cheese: Creamy macaroni and cheese adds a comforting, indulgent touch to the meal.
Recipe Variations
- Ground Meat: Use ground chuck for a classic flavor, or swap in ground turkey for a leaner option. If using lean ground beef, mix in some ground pork to add moisture and richness.
- Bacon-Wrapped: Wrap the patties in bacon before searing for an extra layer of smoky flavor and indulgence.
- Gravy Options: Keep it simple with a pre-packaged mix, or make a homemade gravy starting with a butter-and-flour roux. Try onion gravy with sliced onions, beef broth, and soy sauce, or elevate brown gravy with a splash of red wine. Mushroom gravy is another delicious option, featuring sliced mushrooms and onions in a beef stock-based sauce.
Storage
Store leftover hamburger steaks and gravy in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. For longer storage, transfer them to the freezer where they’ll keep for up to three months.
How to Reheat: Use a microwave or warm them in a skillet on the stove. Do not overheat them because this can dry out the patties.
FAQ
What if I don’t have a cast iron skillet?
No problem! Any large, heavy-bottomed skillet will work. Just ensure it heats evenly to get a good sear on the patties.
Can I make the gravy from scratch instead of using a mix?
Absolutely! Start with a roux by cooking equal parts butter and flour, then whisk in beef stock and seasonings like soy sauce or Worcestershire. You can also add onions, mushrooms, or red wine for extra flavor.
How do I keep the patties from drying out?
Be careful not to overcook them when searing, as they’ll finish cooking while simmering in the gravy. Also, use a fattier blend of ground beef to keep them juicy.
How do you keep hamburger steaks from falling apart?
To keep burger steaks from falling apart, mix the ground beef with binding ingredients like bread crumbs and egg. Also, avoid over-mixing the meat, because it can make the patties too loose and crumbly.
More Ground Beef Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
After you try this easy Hamburger Steak recipe, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Comment below and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube for more delicious recipes!
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Ground beef
- ¼ cup Olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Seasoned salt
- 1 tablespoon Garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Onion powder
- ½ tablespoon Black pepper
- 1 cup Bell peppers & onions diced (see notes)
- 1 cup Bread crumbs
- 1 large Egg
- 2 packs Brown gravy mix prepared or (Homemade Brown Gravy Recipe)
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet (cast iron skillet works best) over medium to medium-high hear. In a large bowl, add the ground beef and all of the seasoning. Also add the diced peppers and onions, bread crumbs, and egg. Mix the meat with a spoon, or by hand until everything is fully incorporated. Using your hand as, form the mixture into patties, about the size of a donut.
- Poke a tiny hole in the middle of each patty (this helps prevent too much shrinkage), and set them aside on a plate or piece of parchment paper.
- Once all of the patties are formed and the oil is hot, add the hamburger steaks to the skillet. Fry them on each side for about 5 minutes. Cook the steaks in batches so you don’t overcrowd the skillet.
- Remove them from the skillet and set them aside on a clean plate, or parchment paper.
- Using the same skillet, prepare the brown gravy according to package directions. Add an extra cup or two of water, as the sauce will thicken up. Also add the Worcestershire sauce to the gravy and mix well.
- Once the gravy begins to thicken (should be about 5 mins), nestle all of the steaks back into the skillet. Allow this to simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes.
Notes
- Use the pre-diced, frozen bell pepper and onion mix to cut prep time.
- Hamburger steaks will not be fully cooked when frying them first. This is to achieve a nice crust. They will be fully cooked when they’re added back into the gravy at the end.
- If you have the time and prefer a homemade gravy, check out my brown gravy recipe linked above.
Pam says
Yum