Hamburger Steak with Brown Gravy

Hamburger steak with brown gravy is a classic comfort food dish that’s simple to make and satisfying to eat. It consists of seasoned ground beef patties cooked in a skillet and smothered in a rich, savory brown gravy. This dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner and can be served with mashed potatoes, rice, or your favorite side dishes14.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make hamburger steak with brown gravy:

For the Hamburger Steaks:

• 1 to 1.5 pounds ground beef21
• 1/3 cup crushed crackers or bread crumbs234
• 1 large egg, beaten2134
• ½ green pepper, finely diced (optional)2
• ½ small yellow onion, finely diced (optional)2
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce24
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder14
• 1 teaspoon onion powder14
• Salt and pepper to taste14

For the Brown Gravy:

• 2 Tablespoons olive oil4
• 3 Tablespoons butter or ghee41
• 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced4
• 1 package (8 oz) sliced fresh mushrooms (optional)3
• 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour, or tapioca/potato starch41
• 1 ½ Cups beef broth or stock41
• 1 Teaspoon Worcestershire sauce4
• Salt and black pepper, to taste41
• 2 tsp parsley1

Instructions

Follow these steps to create a delicious hamburger steak with brown gravy:

1. Prepare the Hamburger Steaks: In a bowl, combine the ground beef, crushed crackers (or bread crumbs), egg, diced green pepper and onion (if using), Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well with your hands to ensure everything is combined21.
2. Form the Patties: Shape the mixture into equally sized patties, about 1/2-inch thick. You can make them oval or round, depending on your preference2. Refrigerate the patties while you prepare the gravy1.
3. Caramelize the Onions and Cook Mushrooms (Optional): Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook until they are fragrant and browned, being careful not to burn them45. If using mushrooms, add them to the skillet and sauté for 4-5 minutes until they are tender5. Remove the onions and mushrooms from the skillet and set aside5.
4. Make the Gravy: Add the butter to the skillet, then whisk in the flour and cook briefly, stirring constantly for about 30 seconds5. Gradually add the beef broth while continuing to whisk, and bring to a boil5. Simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens into a nice brown gravy5. Season with Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to taste5.
5. Cook the Hamburger Steaks: In the same skillet with the gravy, gently place the hamburger steaks. Brown them on each side for a couple of minutes4.
6. Simmer in Gravy: Cover the pan, reduce the heat to low, and let the patties simmer in the gravy for another 10-15 minutes, or until they are cooked through and no longer pink in the middle24. Ensure the internal temperature of the beef reaches 160°F2.
7. Combine and Serve: Return the cooked onions and mushrooms to the skillet5. Spoon the gravy over the steaks, making sure they are evenly coated5. Cook for about 5 minutes longer5. Serve hot over mashed potatoes, rice, or your favorite side4. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired14.

Pro Tips for the Best Hamburger Steak

• *Use a cast-iron skillet*: A cast-iron skillet is ideal for browning the hamburger steaks and creating a rich, flavorful gravy2.
• *Don’t overcrowd the pan*: Cook the hamburger steaks in batches to ensure they brown properly. Overcrowding the pan can lower the temperature and result in steaming instead of browning.
• *Adjust the gravy consistency*: If the gravy is too thick, add a little more beef broth to reach your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, whisk in a slurry of cornstarch and water (1 tablespoon of each) and simmer until thickened1.
• *Add a touch of cream*: For an even richer gravy, stir in a tablespoon of heavy cream or sour cream at the end of cooking.
• *Customize the seasonings*: Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your liking. Smoked paprika, garlic powder, or a pinch of red pepper flakes can add extra flavor to the hamburger steaks and gravy1.
• *Serve with complementary sides*: Mashed potatoes, rice, egg noodles, or roasted vegetables are all great options for serving with hamburger steak and gravy4.
• *Make ahead*: Hamburger steak and gravy can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.