Hamburger steak is an all-time family favorite made with 6 simple ingredients. It's quick, easy, and has a built-in pan sauce that would make a shoe taste good!
Big flavor, minimal effort, and it's perfect for busy weeknights when you need a hearty comfort food meal in no time!
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And, if you're in the mood for more quick and easy dinner ideas, I got you. Try my Ground Beef Stroganoff, Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf, or my Instant Pot Pot Roast!
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This Hamburger Steak recipe is the quintessential weeknight dinner loved by almost all. It's simple and quick. As I said earlier, for this recipe, you need 6 things. And, when it's all said and done, it'll taste so good you'll think you used at least 20 ingredients.
Simple food should be just that. Simple. With just a few things, you can pack a punch in the flavor department and that's just what we're gonna do.
And, not only all of that, but everyone loves this. Kids and adults alike will fall in love. Serve it over some buttered noodles or mashed potatoes and dinner is done!
What You'll Need
Ground Beef - I prefer a leaner blend for this recipe, but you can use your favorite.
Mushrooms and Onions - For wonderful umami and savory flavors. They go with beef like socks and shoes. Tasty socks and shoes. I prefer a cremini mushroom, but white buttons are also great!
Beef Broth - The base of our simple, simple sauce. You can also use chicken or vegetable broth.
Sour Cream - For a touch of tangy, creaminess that brings the sauce together. It also acts as our thickener.
Worcestershire Sauce - For a little salt and umami. We don't need many ingredients and this one packs a punch!
Cast Iron Skillet: Just Do It
If I've said it once, I've said it a million times. If you don't have a good quality cast iron skillet, you need one. The amount of things you can do with them is just amazing.
For this hamburger steak recipe, we need to sear. In order to get a good sear, you need a cooking vessel that can get hot and stay hot. Cast iron, in my opinion, is the only way.
I am a massive fan of the enameled cast iron. It's what I know and what I personally use. I think they are a little more user friendly to take care of. Here's the one I use most often!
Buy Now → 
How To Make It
The simplicity of this hamburger steak recipe should be criminal. Almost. I'll give you a brief rundown of the goings on here, but the specifics will live in the recipe card below. On your mark. Get set. This is all you have to do!
- Form the patties.
- Season said patties and sear them on both sides in the hot skillet.
- Remove patties and sauté the onions and mushrooms.
- Add beef broth and deglaze.
- Stir in the sour cream and Worcestershire sauce and nestle the patties into the sauce.
- Let finish cooking in sauce and serve!
Told ya. Hamburger Steak is just about the easiest thing ever!
Tips and Tricks
First off, you don't need to man handle a hamburger patty. When you form the hamburger steaks, be gentle and don't over mix. Just get them into a round-ish shape and even thickness.
To prevent the patties from puffing up, put an indention in the middle of them with your thumb. This way it'll be more steak, less meatball situation. But, don't worry, they'll taste exactly the same no matter what!
Use a hot pan. This is a 6-ingredient recipe. We need to make those six ingredients go as far as they can. Searing and deglazing is how we are gonna do it. If that pan is not hot, you cannot sear.
You'll end up with a good hamburger steak, not doubt. However, you'll be missing out on some wonderful flavor. Get dat pan hawwwttt!
My final tip for this hamburger steak recipe is once you begin to sear the patties, don't touch them for at least 4-5 minutes. This will ensure a good crust and a proper development of the fond.
Steak vs. Patty vs. Salisbury: Which Is It?
I get questions about what is what. I've got answers. However, all that matters at the end of the day is that whatever it is, it's tasty!
Hamburger Steak is typically a thicker patty that's seasoned on its own and can be served with toppings and a gravy.
Hamburger Patties are generally thinner and are served sandwiched between bread. Ya know, like a good juicy burger.
Salisbury Steak usually has breadcrumbs in the mix and served with toppings and a gravy situation.
As far as I'm concerned, I'm Team Beef. I love all of these and they're all delicious! Tomato/Tahmahto. Amiright?
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I thicken the sauce?
If you want the sauce to be thicker, just stir in a cornstarch slurry at the end.
When will my hamburger steak be done?
Use a instant read thermometer to take the guesswork out of this! After you've let the burger patties simmer in the sauce, check the temp. You want to get to 160°F. Once you remove the skillet from the heat, the patties will continue to cook and will reach a perfect temp!
You said 6 ingredients. What's with the kosher salt and fresh ground pepper?
I know, I know. We're gonna assume everyone has salt and pepper at the ready. We're not gonna include them in the ingredient count. Consider them built-in permanent residents in our culinary adventures.
My burger patties don't look the same. Does that matter?
You can have a burger patty in the shape of Arizona and one in the shape of Poland, as long as they are relatively the same size and thickness, you'll be good. Perfection is overrated.
Serving Ideas
The serving ideas are many. This hamburger steak situation would go with just about anything. Here's a few ideas!
- On a bed of Creamy Mashed Potatoes or Mashed Cauliflower.
- Served over Buttered Noodles.
- Atop a mound of Parmesan Spaghetti Squash.
- With Oven-Roasted Asparagus or Green Beans.
- Served alongside a Simple Green Salad.
- With a Chocolate Tart for dessert.
I could go on and on and on here!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store the leftover hamburger steak in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, just cover with a damp paper towel and in small increments, warm through in the microwave.
You can freeze leftovers in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. When you are ready, let the hamburger steak thaw out slowly in the fridge before reheating.
Hamburger Steak Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 med yellow onion thinly sliced
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms thinly sliced
- ½ cup beef broth
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 1 tsp Worcestershire
- kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Form the patties (I get 6 out of this recipe) and season with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper.
- In a cast iron skillet, over medium-high heat, sear the patties on both sides. You want a nice crust to develop on both sides. Remove the patties and set them aside.
- Add the sliced onions and mushrooms. Season with kosher salt and pepper.
- Lower the heat to medium-low and cook until the onions and mushrooms are softened.
- Add the beef broth to the skillet, scraping up any little bits left on the bottom of the pan.
- Stir in the sour cream and Worcestershire sauce and return the patties to the skillet, nestling them into the mushrooms and onions. Simmer until the beef is cooked through.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
If you guys make this Hamburger Steak, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a star rating in the recipe card! I absolutely love to hear from you all and always do my best to respond to each and every one of your comments! And, as always, be kind. I’m only human.
Thank you!
I am so incredibly happy that you are here! I hope you try my Hamburger Steak recipe and fall in love with it. If you make this recipe, please share and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or YouTube! And, please leave a comment or star rating in the recipe card above. I absolutely love seeing each and every one of your kitchen masterpieces. It makes my heart so happy! And, as always, if you ever have any questions about any of my recipes, please don't hesitate to contact me!
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Janice H says
This is a great 30-minute meal! Can serve with noodles or rice. Great protein!