Salisbury Steak: a retro recipe served with mushroom gravy

Salisbury steak combines ground beef with just a few ingredients, the recipe is quick and easy and takes 30 minutes to prepare. The meat is seasoned, shaped and seared, then in the same pan a delicious mushroom sauce or gravy is prepared, as in our case.

Salisbury Steak is one of the retro foods that have made a comeback in American kitchens. He was appointed to James Salisbury, a 19th-century physician, who prescribed it for injured patients on the battlefield. Informally, this dish is known as the poor man's steak.

The most recent versions are delicious and I sincerely recommend them. I want to share with you a very old version of this recipe.

How to prepare Salisbury Steak

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Step 1

In a large mixing bowl add all the ingredients of the steak. First the minced meat, the bread crumbs, the egg, the mustard, the tomato paste and the condiments: garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.

For the Steak

In a large mixing bowl add all the ingredients of the steak. First the minced meat, the bread crumbs, the egg, the mustard, the tomato paste and the condiments: garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.

With the hand mix and integrate all the ingredients. The dough should not be sticky. If it is a bit sticky, you can add one or two more tablespoons of bread crumbs.

Divide the minced meat in six equal parts and knead so that they are oval, as shown in the photograph.

In a very hot non-stick pan, cook the steaks on both sides until golden brown. If you like them well cooked, cook for 5 more minutes over low heat and covered.

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Step 4

With the hand mix and integrate all the ingredients. The dough should not be sticky. If it is a bit sticky, you can add one or two more tablespoons of bread crumbs.

For the Gravy Sauce

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Add the flour and beat it constantly until the mixture is caramel color and smells like dessert (3-5 minutes).

Slowly, add the liquids while continuing to beat the mixture until it is smooth. Simmer until it has thickened (5 minutes or more).

Taste the sauce and then season it with salt and pepper to your liking, and add other flavors such as fresh herbs or vinegar if you feel like it.

If the sauce is very diluted, combine a tablespoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water. Mix until smooth and add to boiling sauce. Cook a couple more minutes so it can thicken. If the sauce is too thick, add more broth.

If you want you can add two or three tablespoons of sour cream.

Serve the steaks with two generous tablespoons of gravy, pure potatoes or vegetables.

What is the difference between Salisbury steak and hamburger steak?

Salisbury steak contains more ingredients like breadcrumbs, sauces, onions and an egg while a hamburger steak contains only salt and pepper. They are very similar but burger steak is usually served with a burger bun.