Salisbury Steak Recipe with Mushroom and Onion Gravy

We love gravy, and this Salisbury steak recipe with mushroom-onion gravy is one of our favorites. The caramelized onions folded into a rich mushroom gravy transform simple pan juices into something remarkable.

The flavor that develops when onions and mushrooms caramelize together elevates ordinary gravy into an outstanding mushroom-onion gravy. This Salisbury steak recipe is hearty, comforting, and easy to make — ideal for chilly evenings or any night you want a satisfying home-cooked meal. Families often report that kids enjoy it, and the mushrooms blend into the gravy so well they’re easy to love even for picky eaters.

Can You Freeze Salisbury Steaks?

Yes. Cool the patties completely before freezing. Store patties in a freezer-safe container; the gravy can be frozen as well but may thin when reheated. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop. If the gravy seems thin, stir in a little butter or heavy cream while reheating to restore richness and texture.

What Other Types of Meat Can You Use?

Traditional Salisbury steak uses ground beef, but you can substitute other proteins if you prefer:

• Ground chicken or turkey make leaner patties — choose dark meat if you want more moisture.
• Ground pork adds rich flavor and works well with the mushroom-onion gravy.
• Ground lamb offers a distinct, savory twist.
• Plant-based ground meats are a great option for vegetarian or vegan diets; use vegetable broth to keep the gravy vegan.

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For the steak:

• 1 pound (454 g) ground beef
• 1/4 cup (30 g) breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) garlic salt
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) mustard powder
• 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) cooking oil, for searing

For the mushroom-onion gravy

• 8 ounces (227 g) mushrooms, sliced
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 3 Tablespoons (30 g) butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4–1/2 cup (30–60 g) flour, depending on desired thickness
• 3 cups (720 ml) broth (beef, chicken, or vegetable)
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

• In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic salt, mustard powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Shape the mixture into four oval patties.
  
• Heat a large pan over medium-high heat and add the oil. Brown both sides of the patties (about 1 minute per side) to develop color, then remove them from the pan and set aside.
  
• Using the same pan and the browned bits left behind, add the mushrooms and onions. Cook over medium-high heat until the onions are golden and excess mushroom liquid evaporates, about 10 minutes.
  
• Add the butter and garlic to the mushrooms and onions and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  
• Stir in the flour, cooking and stirring to remove lumps. Add about 1/2–1 cup of broth and whisk until smooth, then increase heat to high and pour in the remaining broth while whisking to combine.
  
• Once the gravy reaches a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring often, until it begins to thicken, about 5–10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; flavors will concentrate as the sauce reduces.
  
• Return the seared patties to the pan, spoon the gravy around them, and simmer until the patties reach your preferred doneness, about 5–10 minutes. Stir the gravy occasionally to keep it smooth.
  
• Serve the steaks topped with the mushroom-onion gravy. They are excellent over mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, or egg noodles.
  

What to Serve with Salisbury Steaks

Salisbury steaks smothered in mushroom-onion gravy are versatile. Popular serving options include:

• As small bites or an appetizer: slice patties, serve on a platter with toothpicks and a ladle of gravy for guests to spoon on.
• In a sandwich: serve a patty on soft hoagie bread with extra gravy for a hearty sandwich.
• Over pasta or egg noodles: the gravy is delicious tossed with noodles.
• With rice or other grains: a great option for a quick weeknight meal.
• On mashed potatoes: our favorite — the creamy potatoes soak up the rich gravy for a comforting plate.