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This cozy and delicious hamburger steak and gravy recipe is so good. The juicy hamburger steaks and sweet, rich brown gravy with onions make a classic pairing, whether served over mashed potatoes, egg noodles or fluffy rice. The depth of flavor will certainly have you coming back for more. If you’re looking for an economical alternative to steak, this version is every bit as satisfying and comforting.

A skillet contains four hamburger steaks topped with rich onion gravy and garnished with herbs. A spoon rests in the gravy.

Affordable to make as well as delicious to eat, this hamburger steak and gravy recipe offers bold, vibrant flavors and it’s something the whole family will love.

More simple midweek meals include shrimp and andouille sausage, lemon chicken thighs, garlic steak tortellini, and caprese pizza.

Two plates of mashed potatoes with hamburger steak and gravy, accompanied by green peas; a skillet and bowl of mashed potatoes are in the background with utensils beside the plates.

Why You’ll Love It

Easy to make: It’s so simple to make this one-skillet hamburger steak and gravy. You just need to caramelize the onions and then add other ingredients to make the gravy, and shape hamburger patties and then combine them.
Cheap and cheerful: Steaks are expensive these days but hamburger meat is still an affordable option. And, when you can make recipes like gravy hamburger steak that taste this good, why not?
Family friendly: Everyone is going to love this dish. It’s juicy and succulent and pairs with all kinds of great side dishes. It’s like a wonderful combination of French onion soup, Salisbury steak and cozy hamburgers!

A pan containing cooked Salisbury steak patties in a rich brown gravy, garnished with parsley and onions, evokes the comforting essence of hamburger steak and gravy.

Hamburger Steak with Gravy Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Ground beef: I like to use lean fresh ground beef. You can use any kind you prefer.
All-purpose flour: To thicken the gravy.
Onion: To make the onion gravy. Yellow onions work or you could use sweet onion.
Beef broth: Adds a meaty flavor. You can use low sodium beef broth to cut down on the salt.
Panko bread crumbs: To bind the hamburger patties.
Worcestershire sauce: Adds extra umami flavor to the onion gravy.
Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper season this recipe perfectly.

A variety of ingredients are neatly arranged on a surface, including ground beef for hamburger steak, sliced onions, oil, seasonings, egg, breadcrumbs, broth for gravy, butter, and fresh parsley.

How to Make This Easy Hamburger Steak

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Caramelize the onions: Heat oil and butter in a skillet and add the onions. Pan fry until fragrant and browned. Don’t let them burn!
Continue making the gravy: Add the butter to the pan and then add the flour and cook briefly. Whisk in the Worcestershire sauce and broth (and browning sauce, if using). Cook until thick.
Cook the steaks: While the gravy thickens, combine the steak patties ingredients and shape into 4 patties. Brown on each side for a couple of minutes and then add them to the gravy.
The finishing touches: Cover the pan and simmer the patties in the gravy for a few minutes. Serve hot over mashed potatoes, rice or whatever you prefer.

A fork holding a piece of beef and onions covered in gravy, (a hearty hamburger steak with onion gravy), with a plate of creamy mashed potatoes and green garnishes in the background.

Substitutions and Variations

Gluten-free option: If you want a gluten-free version, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and check the Worcestershire sauce and beef broth ingredients as brands do vary.
Another meat: Although beef is the typical Salisbury steak or hamburger patties choice, you can use ground pork instead or even half beef and half pork.
A little spicy: Add red pepper flakes to the hamburger steak mixture to spice things up. Hot sauce would also do the trick.
Creamy milk gravy: Do you prefer a creamy gravy? If so, swap some of the beef broth for heavy cream.
Thicker gravy: The gravy will thicken up as you cook it. If it’s still too thin for your liking, you can mix a little corn starch with cold water and stir that in. Then cook the gravy a little longer.

Two plates of mashed potatoes, peas, and onion gravy-covered hamburger steaks with onion gravy on a table with utensils, napkins, extra peas, and a serving bowl of gravy.

Serving Suggestions

Appetizers: Start the meal with lemon parmesan salad, as a nice contrast in flavors and textures. 
Side dishes:
Mashed potatoes would be really good with hamburger steaks, or you could serve egg noodles or fluffy white rice. Consider making some bacon-wrapped green beans, too.
Dessert: And to finish, what about Boston cream poke cake or funfetti cake mix whoopie pies?

A spoon holding a piece of meat covered in onion gravy hovers above a pot filled with smothered hamburger steak and gravy. The food appears garnished with chopped parsley.

How to Store Hamburger Steaks and Gravy

Store: Keep leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator and eat within 4 days.
Freeze: You can freeze ground beef hamburger steaks in gravy for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Use a microwave to reheat the hamburger steak recipe or warm it back up in a pan on the stove or in the oven.

A plate of mashed potatoes topped with rich gravy and a tender hamburger steak with brown gravy, garnished with parsley, along with a serving of green peas. A fork and cloth napkin are placed beside the plate.

Top Tips

Perfect onions: Use a mandolin if you have one to slice the onions finely, or a sharp knife if not. The longer you caramelize the onions, the richer the onion gravy will taste. Cook them to light, medium or even dark brown, 10 to 20 minutes.
Don’t overcook the beef: You just need to brown both sides of the patties, not cook it through, as the beef continues to cook in the gravy.
Browning the gravy: You can add Kitchen Bouquet browning sauce to make your gravy look more brown.

Close-up of Salisbury steak patties with onions in a thick brown gravy, garnished with chopped parsley, served in a white skillet with a silver spoon. This hearty hamburger steak and gravy dish is the perfect comfort food for any meal.

Hamburger Steaks with Homemade Gravy FAQs

Can you make hamburger steak and gravy in one pan or cast iron skillet?

Yes, if you cook the steak patties and then keep them warm. Prepare the gravy and then add the patties to it and cook some more. Alternatively, make the patties in one pan and the gravy in another if you want to make the recipe faster rather than cut down on the washing up.

What is browning sauce?

Kitchen Bouquet browning sauce (here) is a brown liquid that makes your gravy darker brown (which makes it look more appealing) and adds a subtle savory or umami flavor. You can omit it if you don’t have any.

Can you add vegetables to this hamburger steaks recipe?

Yes, sometimes I like to add finely sliced mushrooms to mine. Of course, you can always serve vegetables on the side too.

A plate of mashed potatoes, peas, and a serving of best hamburger steak recipe covered in brown gravy with onions. A second plate and some forks are visible in the background.

Easy Hamburger Steak and Gravy Recipe

5 from 3 votes

Hamburger Steak and Gravy

Affordable to make as well as delicious to eat, this hamburger steak and gravy recipe offers bold, vibrant flavors and it's something the whole family will love.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients 

For the Gravy:

  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 Tablespoon butter
  • 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
  • Cups beef broth
  • 1 Teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • browning sauce, optional
  • salt and black pepper, to taste
  • parsley, chopped, to serve

For the Steaks:

  • 1 Pound ground beef
  • 1/3 Cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 Teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 Teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • ½ Teaspoon black pepper

Instructions 

For the Gravy:

  • Heat the olive oil with a tablespoon of the butter in a large pan.
  • Add the onions and cook over a medium low heat, stirring occasionally. Cook until the onions are soft and starting to caramelize. You can cook them to a deep caramelized color if you prefer.
  • Push the onions to the edges and add the remaining butter to the middle of the pan.
  • Stir in the flour and cook for 30 seconds.
  • Whisk in the broth and Worcestershire sauce. If you are using browning sauce, stir it in now.
  • Cook over a medium-low heat until it begins to thicken.

For the Steaks:

  • Combine the ingredients for the steak patties.
  • Heat a large skillet and form 4 patties with the meat. Brown them on each side for 2 minutes.
  • Add the patties to the gravy and cover with a lid. Simmer over low for 5 minutes, scraping the pan occasionally.
  • Serve hot, over mashed potatoes or rice.

Notes

Perfect onions: Use a mandolin if you have one to slice the onions finely, or a sharp knife if not. The longer you caramelize the onions, the richer the onion gravy will taste. Cook them to light, medium or even dark brown, 10 to 20 minutes.
Don’t overcook the beef: You just need to brown both sides of the patties, not cook it through, as the beef continues to cook in the gravy.
Browning the gravy: You can add Kitchen Bouquet browning sauce to make your gravy look more brown.

Nutrition

Calories: 433kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 123mg | Sodium: 1133mg | Potassium: 502mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 84IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 3mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

This delicious and cozy comfort food dish is quick and easy to make, and a wonderful way to make something satisfying and delicious using simple ingredients. Hamburger steaks with a homemade brown gravy pair wonderfully with mashed potatoes and green beans or any other sides you like. Hamburger steaks with onion gravy are a great meal that the whole family will enjoy.

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Bella Bucchiotti

Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.

 

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