Old Fashioned Salisbury Steak

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Lightly grease a baking dish large enough to hold all the patties in a single layer.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Stir gently and let sit for 1–2 minutes until the breadcrumbs absorb the liquid and become soft.
3. Add the ground beef, egg, chopped onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands just until combined. The mixture should feel moist and slightly sticky, not dense.
4. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and shape them into oval patties about 2 cm (¾ inch) thick. Set aside on a plate.
5. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot and shimmering, add the patties. Sear for 2–3 minutes per side until well browned. The patties do not need to be fully cooked at this stage.
6. Transfer the browned patties to the prepared baking dish, arranging them evenly.
7. In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the butter. Once melted, add the sliced onions and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are soft, golden, and slightly caramelized.
8. Sprinkle the flour evenly over the onions and stir well. Cook for about 1 minute, allowing the flour to coat the onions and lose its raw taste.
9. Slowly pour in the beef broth while stirring constantly. Scrape the bottom of the pan to release the flavorful browned bits. Add Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce if using, and black pepper.
10. Let the gravy simmer for 3–5 minutes until thickened and glossy. The aroma should be rich and savory.
11. Pour the onion gravy evenly over the patties in the baking dish. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30–35 minutes, until the patties are tender and fully cooked.
12. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh parsley just before serving.

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6
Difficulty Level: Easy

Variations & Substitutions

• Lean Version: Use ground turkey or lean ground beef. Add an extra tablespoon of olive oil or milk to keep the patties juicy.
• Mushroom Onion Gravy: Add 200 g (7 oz) sliced mushrooms to the onions for a deeper, earthy flavor.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and replace flour with cornstarch for thickening the gravy.
• Flavor Boost: Add 5 g (1 tsp) smoked paprika or onion powder to the meat mixture for extra depth.

Serving Suggestions