When the weather turns cold and you need a meal that feels like a warm hug, nothing beats classic Salisbury Steak. It’s savory, hearty, and nostalgic. But let’s be honest, standing over a stove frying patties isn’t always on the schedule.
Enter this Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak. By utilizing the crockpot, we transform humble ground beef into incredibly tender patties that practically melt in your mouth, all while creating a deep, rich mushroom gravy from scratch right in the pot. It’s budget-friendly comfort food at its absolute best.
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Meal
- Melt-in-Your-Mouth Tender: The low and slow cooking method ensures the patties are juicy, never tough.
- Hands-Off Cooking: Once you brown the patties, the slow cooker does the rest of the work.
- Rich, savory Gravy: The gravy cooks along with the meat, absorbing all those delicious savory flavors.
- Budget-Friendly: It makes a gourmet-feeling meal out of affordable ground beef.
What It Tastes Like
This dish is an umami bomb. The patties are seasoned like mini meatloaves, savory with onion and garlic powders. The gravy is thick, glossy, and deeply savory, with the earthy texture of mushrooms and the sweetness of slow-cooked onions. Served over mashed potatoes, it’s the definition of savory comfort.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is what you need for this easy ground beef comfort food:
- Ground Beef: Lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10) works best so the gravy doesn’t get too greasy.
- Binders (Breadcrumbs & Egg): Essential for holding the patties together so they don’t crumble in the slow cooker.
- Patty Seasonings: Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Mushrooms & Onions: Fresh sliced cremini or white mushrooms and sliced yellow onions form the base of the gravy.
- Beef Broth: Use a good quality, rich beef broth for the best flavor.
- Gravy Boosters: A packet of dry onion soup mix adds incredible depth, and a little ketchup adds tang and color.
- Cornstarch: Used at the very end to thicken the sauce into a glossy gravy.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Form the Patties: In a large bowl, gently mix together the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Worcestershire sauce, and dry seasonings with your hands. Pro Tip: Do not overmix, or the patties will be tough. Shape into 6 oval patties.
- Brown the Patties (Crucial Step!): Heat a drizzle of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the patties for 2-3 minutes per side until nicely browned. You don’t need to cook them through; you just want that crust for flavor and structure so they don’t fall apart in the slow cooker.
- Layer: Place the sliced onions and mushrooms in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Lay the browned patties on top.
- Make Gravy Base: In a medium bowl, whisk together the beef broth, onion soup mix, and ketchup. Pour this mixture over the patties and vegetables.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours.
- Thicken Gravy: About 20 minutes before serving, remove the patties to a platter and cover to keep warm. In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with 2 Tbsp cold water to make a slurry. Whisk the slurry into the liquid in the slow cooker. Turn to HIGH and let it bubble for 15 minutes until thickened.
- Serve: Return patties to the gravy to coat, then serve immediately, spooning extra gravy over the top.
Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The gravy keeps the patties moist.
- Reheating: Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth if the gravy has become too thick. Microwave also works well.
- Freezing: You can freeze the cooked patties in the gravy for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to brown the patties first? Yes, this is highly recommended. Browning prevents the patties from breaking apart during the long cook time and adds essential caramelized flavor to the dish.
Can I use ground turkey? Yes, but because turkey is leaner, add a tablespoon of olive oil to the patty mixture to keep them moist.
What should I serve this with? It is almost mandatory to serve this over creamy mashed potatoes to soak up that amazing gravy. Egg noodles or rice are also great options, alongside some steamed green beans or peas.
Conclusion
This Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak is the hearty, no-fuss dinner your winter meal rotation needs. It delivers massive flavor with minimal active effort, guaranteeing clean plates and happy bellies.
Did you make this tender Salisbury steak recipe? Leave a rating and comment below to let me know what you served it with!
