Hamburger Steak with Onion Gravy is a classic, comforting dish that’s perfect for a cozy dinner. It’s simple, flavorful, and full of savory goodness with juicy hamburger patties served in a rich, caramelized onion gravy. Serve it with mashed potatoes, rice, or steamed veggies for a hearty meal.
Here’s a step-by-step recipe for Hamburger Steak with Onion Gravy:
Ingredients:
For the Hamburger Steaks:
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 ratio for juiciness)
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs (or crushed crackers)
- 1 egg
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon oil (for frying)
For the Onion Gravy:
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth (preferably low-sodium)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
Instructions:
1. Make the Hamburger Steaks:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, chopped onion, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until just combined—don’t overmix or the patties might be tough.
- Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and form each portion into a patty. Make sure they’re about 1/2 inch thick for even cooking.
2. Cook the Hamburger Steaks:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the patties and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until they’re nicely browned on the outside and cooked through on the inside. You can check doneness with a meat thermometer: the internal temperature should be 160°F (71°C) for well-done.
- Once cooked, remove the patties from the skillet and set them aside on a plate. Cover them loosely with foil to keep warm while you make the gravy.
3. Make the Onion Gravy:
- In the same skillet (with all the tasty bits left from the hamburger steaks), melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat.
- Add the thinly sliced onions and sauté for 5-7 minutes until they soften and become golden brown. Stir occasionally to prevent burning. This is the key to making the gravy flavorful—caramelizing the onions brings out their natural sweetness.
- Once the onions are caramelized, sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir it in to make a roux. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, to get rid of the raw flour taste.
- Gradually pour in the beef broth while stirring to prevent lumps from forming. Add Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and thyme (if using). Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes until the gravy thickens slightly.
4. Finish the Dish:
- Return the hamburger steaks to the skillet with the onion gravy. Spoon some of the gravy over the patties, and let them simmer together for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Taste the gravy and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper, if needed.
5. Serve:
- Serve the hamburger steaks with a generous amount of onion gravy on top. This dish pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, rice, or even crispy fries. You can also serve it with steamed vegetables like green beans or peas for a complete meal.
Tips:
- Make the gravy thicker: If you prefer a thicker gravy, you can whisk in a little cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) to the simmering gravy.
- Add mushrooms: For extra flavor, sauté some sliced mushrooms along with the onions for a mushroom-onion gravy.
- Customize the patties: You can add different seasonings to the hamburger patties, like dried herbs (oregano, thyme, or basil), or a little hot sauce for a kick.
- Make ahead: The gravy can be made ahead of time and reheated when you’re ready to serve. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Variations:
- Cheese-Topped Hamburger Steaks: Melt some cheddar or mozzarella cheese on top of the patties in the last few minutes of cooking for an extra cheesy version.
- Spicy Version: Add a teaspoon of hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the gravy for a spicy kick.
This dish is super satisfying with the juicy beef patties and flavorful, savory onion gravy. It’s a perfect meal for any occasion, especially if you’re in the mood for classic comfort food. What would you serve it with—mashed potatoes, rice, or something else?
