I remember the first time I cooked something that felt grown up and comforting at the same time, when a rainy evening led me to shape ground beef into simple patties and smother them in browned onion gravy, that moment of lifting the lid and smelling onions and beef convinced me that Hamburger Steaks With Onion Gravy could be a new go to for easy weeknight dinners.
Why You’ll Love It
This recipe is built for confidence and comfort, perfect for someone cooking for the first time or anyone wanting a low-fuss family meal, it comes together with pantry staples, the gravy is forgiving and boosts simple browned patties into a cozy plate that kids and adults both tend to ask for again.
Serves 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes |
Cook Time: 25 minutes |
Total Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 pound 80 20 ground beef
- 1 large egg
- 1 2 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1 small yellow onion finely chopped for patties equals about 1 3 cup
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
- 1 2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil divided
- 2 tablespoons butter divided
- 1 large onion thinly sliced for gravy
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 cups low sodium beef broth
- 1 pound russet potatoes peeled and cut into chunks for mashed potatoes
- 1 4 cup milk for mashed potatoes more if needed
- 2 tablespoons butter for mashed potatoes
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Make the pattie mix by placing ground beef in a bowl with egg, breadcrumbs, finely chopped onion, Worcestershire, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 2 teaspoon pepper, mix gently until combined but not overworked.
- Divide into four equal portions and shape into slightly flattened oval patties about 3 4 inch thick, place on a plate and chill in the fridge for 10 minutes while you start the potatoes.
- Boil the potato chunks in salted water until fork tender about 12 15 minutes, drain, mash with 2 tablespoons butter and 1 4 cup milk, season to taste and keep warm.
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium high heat, add two patties without crowding and sear until a brown crust forms about 3 4 minutes per side, transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining patties adding more oil if needed, keep patties warm.
- In the same skillet reduce heat to medium, add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and the thinly sliced onion, cook slowly stirring occasionally until soft and caramelized about 8 10 minutes.
- Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir to coat, cook 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste, then slowly whisk in the beef broth scraping up browned bits from the pan, simmer until the gravy thickens about 3 5 minutes, taste and season with salt and pepper.
- Return the hamburger steaks to the skillet and spoon gravy over them, simmer on low for 2 3 minutes to reheat and let flavors combine.
- Serve each plate with a hamburger steak topped with onion gravy, a scoop of mashed potatoes, a side of steamed green beans or any quick vegetable, garnish with parsley and enjoy.
Recipe Variations
- Mushroom and onion gravy swap half the sliced onions for sliced mushrooms for an earthier gravy.
- Turkey or chicken version use lean ground turkey or chicken and add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the patty mix to keep them moist.
- Cheesy inside make a thin slice of cheese in the center of each patty before sealing for a melty surprise.
- Gluten free use gluten free breadcrumbs and 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with a little water instead of flour to thicken the gravy.
Make Ahead: You can shape the patties and store them covered in the fridge up to 24 hours before cooking, the onion gravy can be made fully up to 3 days ahead and reheated gently on the stove adding a splash of broth, mashed potatoes can be made a day ahead refrigerated and gently reheated with a little milk or butter to restore creaminess, for longer storage freeze cooked patties or gravy in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use leaner ground beef for these hamburger steaks
Yes you can use leaner beef but add a tablespoon of olive oil or a little extra breadcrumbs and an egg to help retain moisture and keep the patties tender
How do I reheat leftover hamburger steaks without drying them out
Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of beef broth or extra gravy covered until warmed through, or warm in a 325 F oven covered for about 10 minutes
Is there an easy vegetarian substitute for the patties and gravy
Use firm cooked lentil or mushroom patties and make the gravy with vegetable broth and the same pan caramelized onions for a similar texture and rich flavor
Can I make the gravy thicker without flour
Yes mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water and whisk into simmering gravy a little at a time until you reach the desired thickness
Hamburger Steaks With Onion Gravy
This recipe is built for confidence and comfort, perfect for someone cooking for the first time or anyone wanting a low-fuss family meal, it comes together with pantry staples, the gravy is forgiving and boosts simple browned patties into a cozy plate that kids and adults both tend to ask for again.
Ingredients
- 1 pound 80 20 ground beef
- 1 large egg
- 1 2 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1 small yellow onion finely chopped for patties equals about 1 3 cup
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
- 1 2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil divided
- 2 tablespoons butter divided
- 1 large onion thinly sliced for gravy
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 cups low sodium beef broth
- 1 pound russet potatoes peeled and cut into chunks for mashed potatoes
- 1 4 cup milk for mashed potatoes more if needed
- 2 tablespoons butter for mashed potatoes
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Make the pattie mix by placing ground beef in a bowl with egg, breadcrumbs, finely chopped onion, Worcestershire, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 2 teaspoon pepper, mix gently until combined but not overworked.
- Divide into four equal portions and shape into slightly flattened oval patties about 3 4 inch thick, place on a plate and chill in the fridge for 10 minutes while you start the potatoes.
- Boil the potato chunks in salted water until fork tender about 12 15 minutes, drain, mash with 2 tablespoons butter and 1 4 cup milk, season to taste and keep warm.
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium high heat, add two patties without crowding and sear until a brown crust forms about 3 4 minutes per side, transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining patties adding more oil if needed, keep patties warm.
- In the same skillet reduce heat to medium, add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and the thinly sliced onion, cook slowly stirring occasionally until soft and caramelized about 8 10 minutes.
- Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir to coat, cook 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste, then slowly whisk in the beef broth scraping up browned bits from the pan, simmer until the gravy thickens about 3 5 minutes, taste and season with salt and pepper.
- Return the hamburger steaks to the skillet and spoon gravy over them, simmer on low for 2 3 minutes to reheat and let flavors combine.
- Serve each plate with a hamburger steak topped with onion gravy, a scoop of mashed potatoes, a side of steamed green beans or any quick vegetable, garnish with parsley and enjoy.
Conclusion
This Hamburger Steaks With Onion Gravy recipe is a kind and gentle introduction to comforting home cooking, it asks for a few simple steps but rewards you with deep flavor and an easy reusable technique for pan gravy and good searing, trust the process, make small changes to match your pantry, and enjoy serving something warm and satisfying to people you care about.
