This easy Crockpot Salisbury Steak is a true winner! Juicy, flavorful ground beef patties cook slowly with mushrooms and onions in a savory gravy. In just a few simple steps and the convenience of your slow cooker, you'll have a hearty and satisfying dinner with little effort on your part.
Using a combination of lean ground beef flavored with minced onion, Italian seasoning, ketchup, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and a touch of garlic, creates tender beef patties that are juicy and packed with flavor. My trick of adding panko bread crumbs and milk keeps the steaks tender and moist as they cook in the slow cooker.
I love making crockpot Salisbury steak with hamburger patties! Slow cooking helps develop and intensify the flavors of the beef and tenderize the meat. Once the patties are browned, you simply assemble everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you. I especially love that there's no need for constant monitoring or stirring.
Turn your Crockpot Salisbury steak into a hearty meal with some fluffy garlic mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, white or brown rice, or cooked egg noodles. Add on a simple vegetable such as green beans with bacon for a complete meal.
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Why You'll Love This Crockpot Salisbury Steak Recipe
- So Simple and Easy! Just a few quick steps at the start and then the crockpot does all the work, resulting in a comforting and homestyle meal in just a few hours.
- Great Flavor. What's not to love about juicy ground beef patties, savory beef gravy, tender mushrooms, and onions. It's the perfect blend of savory and umami flavors.
- Slow Cooking is Best. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to develop and marry together for a tender and succulent Salisbury steak.
- Versatile Main Course. Whether you prefer creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or even buttered noodles, you can easily tailor the side dishes to your taste and can change it up each time you make it!
Ingredients
For the Salisbury Steak Patties:
- Lean Ground Beef: The star ingredient of the Salisbury steak, lean ground beef provides the base for the flavorful patties without tons of fat cooking out into the savory mushroom gravy.
- Minced Garlic & Onion: Minced garlic adds a subtle, savory note, while the minced onion adds a hint of sweetness and enhances the overall taste of the steak. Use fresh for the best flavor.
- Panko Bread Crumbs: These help bind the ingredients together and helps the patties stay nice and moist.
- Seasonings: A blend of Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper are the perfect trio to enhance the flavor profile of the dish.
- Egg: Acts as a binder to hold the ground beef and other ingredients together.
- Ketchup: Adds a touch of tanginess and subtle sweetness to the recipe.
- Dijon Mustard: Brings a unique tanginess and depth of flavor while adding a slight kick.
- Worcestershire Sauce: A key ingredient that adds umami flavor.
- Milk: Keeps the steak patties tender and moist throughout the cooking process.
For the Mushroom Gravy:
- Mushrooms: Provides a meaty and earthy flavor along with texture to the gravy. Button or cremini mushrooms work well or you can use Portobello mushrooms if you prefer a more robust mushroom flavor.
- Yellow Onion & Minced Garlic: Form the aromatic base of the mushroom gravy, enhancing the overall richness and flavor.
- Low Sodium Beef Broth: Serves as the liquid base for the mushroom gravy, adding a rich beefy flavor.
- Brown Gravy Mix: Helps to thicken and intensify the flavor of the mushroom gravy.
- Cornstarch Slurry: When combined with water and added to the cooking liquid the cornstarch helps thicken the gravy.
- Ketchup & Dijon Mustard: These condiments are used in the mushroom gravy to add a hint of tanginess and depth of flavor.
- Black Pepper: Black pepper adds a subtle, pleasant heat to the gravy that compliments the beef patties.
Variations
- Asian-inspired: Add a tablespoon of soy sauce and a teaspoon of sesame oil to the ground beef mixture.
- Cheese Stuffed: Place some cheese inside the beef patties before cooking and shape the meat around it so it's in the center. Cheddar, Swiss, or mozzarella all work wonderfully.
- Turkey Salisbury Steak: For a lighter alternative use ground turkey instead of the beef. You can also use ground chicken too.
- Sweeter Flavors. To add a touch of sweetness and tang, add a tablespoon of brown sugar and a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar along with the other mushroom gravy ingredients.
- Wine Gravy: Add a splash of red wine and a sprinkle of fresh herbs, such as parsley or thyme, to the mushroom gravy at the start of cooking. Garnish with more fresh herbs for serving.
- Gluten-Free: Swap out the panko bread crumbs for gluten-free bread crumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers. Ensure that the Worcestershire sauce and brown gravy mix you use are also gluten-free.
How To Make Salisbury Steak In The Slow Cooker
Step 1: Prepare the vegetables. Slice the mushrooms and onions evenly. Arrange them on the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
Step 2: Form the beef patties. Add the steak ingredients to a bowl. Mix with your hands until just combined. Don't over mix as it may make the patties tough. Shape the meat mixture into six hamburger steak patties.
Step 3: Brown the beef. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef patties on both sides for 2-3 minutes, then place them on top of the mushrooms and onions in the crock pot.
Step 4: Add the gravy ingredients. Mix together the beef broth, gravy mix, ketchup, mustard, black pepper, and garlic in a medium bowl. Whisk until well combined and pour it over the steaks.
Step 5: Cover and cook. Add the lid to the top and cook the steak on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 5-6 hours.
Step 6: Thicken the gravy. Mix the water with cornstarch to make a slurry. Remove the steaks from the slow cooker. Pour the cornstarch mixture into the crockpot and stir. Add the steaks back to the crockpot and cook for an additional 10 minutes or until the gravy has thickened.
Step 7: Remove and serve. Remove the steak patties with a spatula and serve over rice or mashed potatoes. Pour the gravy, mushrooms, and onions on top. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Don't Over-Mix. Mix the meat for the Salisbury steak patties just enough to mix everything together. Handling the meat too much may result in dense and tough patties.
- Brown First. This steps not only gives the patties a beautiful brown crust on the outside but it also adds flavor and helps to seal in the juices.
- Sauté the Mushrooms. Sauté the sliced mushrooms in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker. This optional step give the dish a richer and more pronounced mushroom flavor.
- Adding the Cornstarch. Whisk together the cornstarch and water together BEFORE adding it to the cooking liquid to ensure the cornstarch disperses evenly and prevents clumps from forming in the gravy.
What to Serve with Salisbury Steak
The mushroom gravy that forms when cooking salisbury steak in the crockpot makes it ideal for potatoes, rice, or noodles that perfectly soak up all the juices. Here are a few ideas for a bit of inspiration:
Enjoy it with a side of slow cooker rice, brown rice, or cooked quinoa. If potatoes are more your thing try some crockpot roasted potatoes or your favorite mashed potatoes.
Add on a simple salad or cooked vegetable like corn on the cob, slow cooker Brussels sprouts or glazed carrots.
Storing & Freezing
- Storing: Place leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheat: You can use the microwave or gently warm it on the stovetop when reheating. Add a splash of beef broth or water to prevent it from drying out.
- Freezing: To freeze, place the cooled leftovers in airtight freezer-safe containers or zip-top freezer bags. Store it in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To thaw, transfer the frozen portion to the refrigerator overnight and then reheat as desired.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. Shape the patties, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before cooking.
If the gravy turns out too thin, you can thicken it by adding more cornstarch slurry. Pour the slurry into the slow cooker, stirring well. Let it cook for an additional 10 minutes or until the gravy reaches the desired thickness. Repeat the process if needed, adding a little more slurry at a time until the desired consistency is achieved.
Swiss steak uses slow-cooked round steak in a tomato-based sauce, while Salisbury steak is ground beef formed into a patty and served with savory gravy, offering distinct textures and flavors.
More Slow Cooker Ground Beef Recipes
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Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
Ingredients
Steaks
- 1 ½ lbs lean ground beef
- ¼ cup minced onion
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp milk
Mushroom Gravy
- 8 oz brown mushrooms (sliced)
- 1 cup yellow onion (sliced)
- 2 cups low sodium beef broth
- 1 oz package brown gravy mix
- 3 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- Place the sliced mushrooms and onions in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- In a large bowl, add all ingredients for the steaks. Mix until combined, and try not to over-mix. Form into six patties and brown over medium-high heat in a skillet for 2-3 minutes on each side.
- Place steaks on top of mushrooms and onions.
- Add beef broth, gravy mix, ketchup, mustard, black pepper, and garlic in a medium bowl. Whisk until well combined and pour over steaks.
- Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 5-6 hours.
- In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch and water together. Remove steaks and set aside. Pour cornstarch slurry into the gravy and whisk until well combined. Add steaks back into the sauce and cook for ten minutes or until the gravy thickens.
- Sever over mashed potatoes or rice and enjoy!
Notes
- In case the gravy becomes too thin, you have the option to thicken it by making an extra slurry using cornstarch. Begin by carefully pouring the slurry into the slow cooker while stirring thoroughly. Allow it to cook for an additional 10 minutes, or until the gravy reaches the desired thickness. If necessary, you can repeat this procedure, gradually adding small amounts of slurry at a time until you achieve the desired consistency.
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Although the recipe specifies brown mushrooms, you can opt for alternative mushroom varieties like cremini, white button mushrooms, or even portobello mushrooms to enhance the robustness of the flavor.
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is an estimate. It may vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact ingredient numbers, I recommend calculating them with your preferred nutrition calculator.
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