Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
That feeling when you walk in the door after a long day? All you want is a real, home-cooked meal without the fuss.
You want something warm, comforting, and full of flavor. Something that reminds you of simpler times.
This Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak is exactly that meal. It’s a classic for a reason, and using the slow cooker makes it almost foolproof.
The Easiest Comfort Food Ever
Salisbury steak gets a bad rap sometimes, thanks to those not-so-great TV dinners.
But when it’s made right, it’s amazing. We’re talking juicy, beefy patties swimming in a rich mushroom and onion gravy.
Putting it all in the slow cooker lets the flavors hang out and get to know each other for hours. The result is fall-apart tender meat and a gravy that’s just begging to be spooned over mashed potatoes.
What You’ll Need
Here’s the simple stuff you need to grab from the store. Nothing fancy, just good old-fashioned ingredients.
For the Steak Patties:
- 2 lbs ground beef (80/20 is great for flavor)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for searing)
For the Gravy:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water, optional for thickening)
Tools You’ll Use
You don’t need any special gadgets. Just the basics will do the job perfectly.
- Slow Cooker (6-quart or larger)
- Large Skillet
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Spatula
How to Make Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
Follow these simple steps. The most “work” you’ll do is at the beginning, then the slow cooker takes over.
Step 1: In a large bowl, gently mix the ground beef, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, egg, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Don’t overmix or the patties will be tough.
Step 2: Form the mixture into 6 to 8 oval-shaped patties, about 1/2-inch thick.
Step 3: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place the patties in the skillet and brown them for 2-3 minutes on each side. They don’t need to be cooked through.
Step 4: Transfer the browned patties to your slow cooker. Don’t wipe out the skillet!
Step 5: In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the sliced onions and mushrooms and cook until they are soft and browned, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute.
Step 6: Sprinkle the flour over the onions and mushrooms. Stir and cook for about a minute to get rid of the raw flour taste.
Step 7: Slowly whisk in the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in the ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. Bring the gravy to a simmer.
Step 8: Pour the gravy mixture over the patties in the slow cooker.
Step 9: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
Step 10: If you want thicker gravy, remove the patties. Whisk the cornstarch and cold water mixture into the slow cooker. Turn it to HIGH for 15-20 minutes, or until the gravy has thickened. Add the patties back in.
Pro Tips From the Kitchen
I’ve made this dish hundreds of times. Here are a few little things that make a big difference.
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Don’t Skip the Sear. Browning the patties first is a must. It creates a crust that adds a huge amount of deep, beefy flavor. It also helps the patties hold their shape.
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Scrape the Pan. Those little brown bits stuck to your skillet after searing the meat and veggies? That’s pure gold. Scraping them up when you add the beef broth puts all that flavor into your gravy.
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Low and Slow is Best. You can cook this on high if you’re in a rush, but the low setting is your friend. It gives the meat time to become incredibly tender without drying out.
Possible Substitutions and Variations
Don’t have something? Want to change it up? No problem.
| Ingredient | Substitution | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | Ground Turkey/Pork | Less fat, lighter flavor |
| Breadcrumbs | Crushed Crackers/Oats | Changes texture slightly |
| All-Purpose Flour | Gluten-Free Flour | For a GF gravy |
| Onions | Shallots | Milder, sweeter taste |
You can also add a splash of red wine to the gravy for more depth, or throw in some sliced bell peppers with the onions for extra veggies.
Meal Pairing and Diet Swaps
This meal is super flexible. Here’s how to serve it and make it fit your eating style.
What to Serve with It
- Classic: Creamy mashed potatoes are the perfect partner for that rich gravy.
- Simple: Cooked egg noodles or white rice work great too.
- Green: A side of steamed green beans, peas, or a simple side salad cuts through the richness.
Making It Fit Your Diet
Need to adjust this for a specific diet? Here are some easy swaps.
| Diet | Ingredient to Swap | Use This Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-Free | Breadcrumbs & Flour | GF Breadcrumbs & GF Flour |
| Keto/Low-Carb | Breadcrumbs | Crushed Pork Rinds or Almond Flour |
| Keto/Low-Carb | Flour/Cornstarch | 1/4 tsp Xanthan Gum |
| Dairy-Free | Butter | Olive Oil or Dairy-Free Butter |
Leftovers and Storage
This recipe is great for leftovers. The flavors are even better the next day.
To Store: Let the Salisbury steak cool down completely. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To Reheat: You can gently reheat it in a pot on the stove over low heat or in the microwave. Add a splash of beef broth if the gravy seems too thick.
FAQs
Here are some common questions people ask about this recipe.
Q1. My gravy is too thin. How do I fix it?
Ans: The easiest way is with a cornstarch slurry. Mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth. Whisk it into the gravy and let it cook on high for about 15 minutes to thicken up.
Q2. Can I use frozen beef patties?
Ans: I don’t recommend it. Freshly made patties have a much better texture and flavor. Frozen ones can release a lot of water and make your gravy thin.
Q3. Do I have to use mushrooms and onions?
Ans: You don’t have to, but they add a ton of classic flavor to the gravy. If you really don’t like them, you can leave them out, but the gravy won’t be as rich.
Q4. Can I make this ahead of time?
Ans: Yes! You can form the patties and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours. You can also chop all your veggies ahead of time. This makes assembly super quick.
Wrapping Up
There you have it. A simple, delicious, and comforting meal that basically cooks itself. It’s the kind of food that makes everyone at the dinner table happy.
Give this slow cooker recipe a try the next time you need an easy win for dinner.
Let me know how it turns out in the comments below! I love hearing about your kitchen adventures.
