This nostalgic take on a Southern classic features moist hamburger steaks topped with a thick, umami-rich onion and mushroom gravy. Great for a hearty dinner, these steaks are served over rich, creamy mashed potatoes and paired with a side of green beans. Get ready for a warm, comforting meal that is loaded with flavor!
Why You’ll Love It:
This recipe is ideal for when you’re in the mood for something comforting and hearty. Here’s why this dish is deserving of a spot in your weeknight meal rotation:
Savory, Satisfying: The flavor payoff of seasoned hamburger patties, caramelized onions, and earthy mushrooms create a bow full of deliciousness.
Simple Ingredients: No specialty ingredients here — you probably have most of what you need in your pantry or fridge already.
One-Skillet Meal: A tool is challenged — one pan = easy cleanup — and all of those flavors build together, creating a rich, cohesive taste.
Family Friendly: You can tone down the heat, or leave out the mushrooms altogether if you have some picky eaters — it is easily adaptable.
Key Ingredients:
Ground Chuck: Use 80/20 ground chuck for the juiciest patties. The fat helps keep the patties juicy and flavorful. Ground turkey or chicken is a lighter alternative; you could also use plant-based meat for a vegetarian version.
Onion: The sweet flavor of Vidalia onions helps to cut through the richness in the gravy. If you don’t have Vidalia, yellow or white onions are fine substitutes.)
Seasoned Salt and Garlic Powder: For balanced flavor with little work. If you are out of seasoned salt, use plain salt and a pinch of paprika or onion powder if you have it for extra depth.
Optional: Tiger Sauce: This sauce delivers a tangy slap to the patties. You can substitute a dash of hot sauce if you want more heat, or leave it out altogether for tamer flavor.
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Flour: Dusting the patties in flour before cooking them creates a lovely crust. Or cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free.
Beef Broth: Provides the gravy with richness and depth. You can use chicken or vegetable broth in a pinch, but the flavor will be a little lighter.
Worcestershire Sauce: This is not a must, but it makes the gravy more umami. Soy sauce may be used in its place, or omit it if you are trying to avoid sodium.
Browning & Seasoning Sauce: This is where Kitchen Bouquet or a similar sauce comes into play, adding color and a layer of flavor to the gravy. But if you don’t have it, the gravy will still be delicious, just a tad lighter in color.
Mushrooms: Sliced mushrooms can give the gravy additional richness. Cremini or white mushrooms are fine, or you can omit them if you’re not a mushroom person.
Full ingredients list with amounts and instructions is in the recipe card at the bottom
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Patties
Heat the Oil:
In a large heavy-bottomed skillet, heat 3 tablespoons oil (medium-high) until hot but not smoking. This will be used to brown the patties.
Mix the Ingredients:
In a big bowl, whisk together:
1 1/2 pounds ground chuck
3/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 large egg
1 tsp Tiger Sauce (optional, lends a slight tangy kick)
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Gently combine the ingredients, careful not to overwork the meat, so the patties don’t become dense when cooked.
Shape the Patties:
Form the mixture into 4-6 equal patties.
Coat with Flour:
Dust each patty lightly with flour. This will ensure that the outside gets crispy when frying.
Cook the Patties:
Put the patties in the hot skillet and brown on each side for 3-4 minutes. Remove from skillet and reserve.
Step 2: Make the Gravy
Cook the Onions:
In the same pan, add sliced onions and cook over medium heat until brown and caramelized, about 10 minutes. Adding sweetness and depth to the gravy.
Prepare the Gravy Mixture:
In a bowl, whisk together:
1 cup beef broth
1 cup water
1/4 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional, if you want umami flavor)
1 tsp browning & seasoning sauce (optional, for color and flavor depth)
Whisk until smooth so you don’t have lumps in the gravy.
Add Gravy to Skillet:
Add the gravy mixture to the skillet with the caramelized onions and cook, stirring, until thickened.
Step 3: Combine and Finish
Return the Patties:
Nestle the browned patties into the skillet, flipping them to coat in the gravy.
Add Mushrooms (Optional):
Optional: Add 2 cups sliced mushrooms to the skillet. The gravy savory notes will sink into the mushrooms and add another level of umami.
Simmer:
Lower the heat to low, cover the skillet and let the patties simmer in the gravy 20 minutes. This gives the patties time to fully cook and the flavors to mingle.
Step 4: Serve
Plating:
Serve the hamburger steaks slathered in the rich onion-mushroom gravy, over mashed potatoes for a quintessential pairing. To balance, serve with green beans or a mixed garden salad on the side.
Serving Suggestions:
Side Dishes: Fill in with some green beans, or some roasted Brussels sprouts. A simple side salad is also a fine, bright contrast to the rich gravy.
Beverages: Enjoy this with a glass of red wine, preferably Merlot, or keep it simple and enjoy with a cold iced tea.
Other Toppings: A sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives over the finished dish adds a clean, herby flavor and color.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips:
This dish is great, because it stores and re-heats really well, so it is a great meal prep option!
Refrigeration: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat gently in a pot on the stove or in the microwave, stirring in a splash of water or broth to maintain smooth gravy.
Freezing: You can freeze the patties and gravy together or separately for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then warm on the stove over low heat.
If you’re looking for more meal-prep inspiration, I’d look for recipes like Shepherd’s Pie or Beef and Vegetable Stew — they share those hearty, freezer-friendly qualities.
Variations:
Spice It Up
Incorporate extra heat when you mix the hot sauce or red pepper flakes into the patties. Or, for a smoky and spicy twist that plays off the flavors of beef and mushrooms, try adding a teaspoon of smoked paprika.
Lighter Option
To make a lighter version, you could use ground turkey or chicken in place of the beef, although it might need more seasoning to keep it flavorful. Using a low-sodium broth is an easy swap, too, if you’re limiting salt.
Gluten-Free Swap
Substitute the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free option, like cornstarch (half the amount) or a gluten-free all-purpose mix. For a totally gluten-free version, ensure your Worcestershire and browning sauces are gluten-free, too.
Vegetarian Take
For a vegetarian version, use hearty mushroom patties or store-bought plant-based patties. You’ll want to make a rich mushroom-onion gravy using vegetable broth, and use twice the amount of mushrooms for an intensely earthy, meaty bite.
Conclusion:
Hamburger Steaks with Onion Mushroom Gravy– homemade dish feels nostalgic and satisfying every time. With its tender beef patties and richly savory gravy, it’s sure to be a mainstay in your repertoire of comfort food. So invite your skillet to the party, round up your ingredients and prepare to feast on the warmth as much as the taste of a good meal. Relish this dish on a cold evening or whenever you want a little culinary comfort — your taste buds (and family) will appreciate!
Hamburger Steaks with Onion Mushroom Gravy
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons cooking oil canola or vegetable oil
- 1.5 pounds ground chuck 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio
- 3/4 cup onion finely chopped
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon Tiger Sauce or hot pepper sauce, optional
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly cracked
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour for coating patties
- 1 Vidalia onion sliced thin (approx. 3 cups)
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce optional
- 1 teaspoon browning & seasoning sauce like Kitchen Bouquet, optional
- 2 cups sliced mushrooms optional
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. In a mixing bowl, combine ground chuck, chopped onion, egg, Tiger Sauce, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix gently to combine. Shape mixture into 4-6 patties. Lightly coat each patty in flour.
- Place patties in hot skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until browned. Remove patties from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add sliced onions and cook over medium heat until caramelized, about 10 minutes. In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, water, flour, seasoned salt, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and browning sauce. Pour mixture into skillet with caramelized onions, stirring constantly until it thickens.
- Return the browned patties to the skillet, turning to coat in the gravy. Add sliced mushrooms if desired. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes to meld flavors.
- Serve hamburger steaks smothered in the rich onion-mushroom gravy over mashed potatoes. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.