This Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak is an easy comfort food dinner made with tender beef patties simmered slowly in a rich mushroom and onion gravy. The slow cooker keeps the meat juicy while creating a thick, savory gravy that is perfect spooned over creamy mashed potatoes.
Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
Ingredients
Method
- Add the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to a large bowl.
- Gently mix everything together until just combined. Avoid overmixing the beef because this can make the patties tough.
- Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and shape each portion into a thick oval patty.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the patties for about 2 minutes on each side. They do not need to cook completely at this stage.
- Arrange the sliced onions and mushrooms across the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Place the browned Salisbury steak patties over the vegetables.
- In a bowl, whisk together the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, garlic powder, thyme, and black pepper.
- Pour the gravy mixture over the patties, onions, and mushrooms.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the patties are fully cooked and tender.
- Carefully remove the cooked patties from the slow cooker and keep them warm.
- Mix the cornstarch with the cold water until completely smooth. Stir the mixture into the gravy.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the gravy has thickened.
- Return the Salisbury steaks to the slow cooker and spoon plenty of mushroom gravy over the top.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Browning the patties before slow cooking is worth the extra few minutes because it gives them better color, texture, and flavor.
- Don’t make the patties too thin. Thick oval patties hold together better during the long cooking time and stay tender inside.
- The mushrooms release moisture while cooking, so you don’t need a large amount of additional liquid.
- If you prefer an extra-thick gravy, add another teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a little cold water at the end.
Variations
Onion Gravy Salisbury Steak: Leave out the mushrooms and use two sliced onions for a rich onion-heavy gravy.
Creamy Mushroom Version: Stir ½ cup of heavy cream into the finished gravy for a creamy Salisbury steak.
Garlic Mushroom Version: Add 3 minced garlic cloves along with the mushrooms and onions.
Ground Turkey Salisbury Steak: Ground turkey can replace the beef for a lighter version. Be careful not to overcook it because turkey is leaner.
Extra Mushroom Version: Double the mushrooms to 16 ounces if you want plenty of mushrooms in every serving.
Serving Suggestions
Mashed potatoes are one of the best sides for Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak because they soak up all that rich mushroom gravy.
You can also serve it with buttered egg noodles, white rice, roasted potatoes, steamed green beans, broccoli, peas, or roasted carrots.
For a complete comfort-food dinner, serve the steak and mashed potatoes with warm dinner rolls.
Tips
- Handle the ground beef gently when forming the patties.
- Make the patties roughly the same size so they cook evenly.
- Don’t skip browning if you have time.
- Always mix cornstarch with cold water before adding it to hot gravy.
- Add the cornstarch mixture near the end rather than at the beginning.
- Spoon some gravy over the patties before serving.
- Leftover gravy is excellent over mashed potatoes or noodles.
Prep Time, Cook Time, and Total Time
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
Total Time: 5 hours 35 minutes
Servings
Serves: 6 people
Nutrition Information
Approximate nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 475
- Protein: 32g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fat: 30g
- Sodium: 720mg
FAQs
Do you have to brown Salisbury steak before putting it in the slow cooker?
Technically, you can put the patties directly into the slow cooker, but browning them first gives much better results. It creates a flavorful browned exterior and also helps the patties hold their shape during slow cooking.
How do you keep Salisbury steak from falling apart?
The egg and breadcrumbs act as binders and help keep the patties together. It’s also important not to make the mixture overly wet. Browning the patties before placing them in the slow cooker gives them additional structure.
Can I put raw ground beef patties in the slow cooker?
Yes, ground beef can be cooked in a slow cooker as long as it reaches a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). However, browning the patties first improves their texture and flavor.
Can I make Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak without mushrooms?
Absolutely. Simply leave out the mushrooms and add extra sliced onions if desired. You’ll still get a delicious brown onion gravy that works perfectly with the beef patties.
How do I make the Salisbury steak gravy thicker?
Remove the cooked patties and stir a cornstarch slurry into the hot cooking liquid. Let it cook on HIGH for about 10 to 15 minutes. The gravy should become noticeably thicker as it heats.
Can I prepare the patties ahead of time?
Yes. Shape the patties, cover them tightly, and refrigerate them for up to one day. When you’re ready to cook, brown them and continue with the slow cooker recipe.
How should I store leftovers?
Transfer the Salisbury steak and gravy to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 to 4 days. Keep some gravy covering the patties to prevent the meat from drying out during reheating.
Conclusion
Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak is classic comfort food made even easier in the crockpot. Tender beef patties, soft onions, mushrooms, and rich brown gravy come together in one satisfying meal. Serve it over creamy mashed potatoes and spoon plenty of that mushroom gravy over everything.
