Salisbury Steak: Mushroom Mystery Solved

Salisbury steak is a popular dish that is often served with mushroom gravy. The steak is typically made from ground beef and formed into patties or steaks, which are then cooked and served with a simple gravy made from onions, mushrooms, beef broth, and a thickener such as cornstarch or flour. The dish is usually served over mashed potatoes, but can also be served with other sides such as roasted green beans or asparagus. While mushrooms are a common ingredient in Salisbury steak gravy, they are not always included, and some recipes may omit them or substitute other ingredients.

Salisbury steak with mushroom gravy

Ingredients

• Ground beef
• Breadcrumbs
• Egg
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Onion
• Mushrooms
• Beef broth
• Cornstarch
• Water
• Parsley (optional)

Method

Firstly, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, black pepper, and chopped onion in a large bowl. Mix until everything is evenly distributed and the mixture becomes slightly 'pasty'. Divide this mixture into 5 portions and form oval-shaped patties, patting them firmly to a thickness of around 3/4 inch.

Fry the patties in a large skillet over medium heat until browned on both sides, which should take about 10 minutes. Transfer the patties to a warm platter. Now, add the beef broth, onion, and mushrooms to the skillet and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for about 10 minutes, until the patties are no longer pink in the centre.

Next, make the gravy. Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl and stir this into the onion mixture. Cook and stir until the gravy thickens, which should take about a minute.

Finally, return the steaks to the pan, along with any juices from the platter. Spoon the gravy over the steaks, mixing in the mushrooms. Leave the pan on low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything is warmed through.

Serve the Salisbury steaks topped with the mushroom gravy. This dish goes well with mashed potatoes or rice, and a sprinkling of parsley.

Variations

Some variations and tips for this recipe include:

• Grating the onion and soaking the breadcrumbs in its juices, which is said to make the steaks softer and tastier.
• Using 90% lean ground beef for flavour, but other percentages are also an option.
• Using pre-sliced mushrooms to save on prep time.
• Freezing any uncooked or cooked patties for another night.
• Serving with egg noodles, or a vegetable side like asparagus or broccoli.

How to make Salisbury steak

Salisbury steak is a delicious, hearty meal that's quick and easy to make. It's a great comfort food that's popular with both kids and adults and can be served with mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.

Ingredients:

• Ground beef
• Breadcrumbs
• Chopped onion
• Egg
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Mushrooms (canned, dehydrated, or fresh)
• Butter
• Flour
• Broth or beef stock
• Ketchup
• Worcestershire sauce
• Cornstarch or wheat flour (optional, for thickening)

Instructions:

Start by combining the ground beef, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, egg, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Mix until the ingredients are evenly distributed and the mixture has a slightly pasty consistency. Form the mixture into oval-shaped patties, about 1/2-inch thick.

Next, melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the patties in the skillet until they are browned on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer the patties to a platter and keep them warm.

To make the gravy, add mushrooms, onion, and salt to the skillet. Sauté until the vegetables are nicely browned, about 5-8 minutes. If using canned or dehydrated mushrooms, you may want to add them later in the process to avoid overcooking. Add flour and cook for another 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then, stir in broth, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring the mixture to a simmer, reduce the heat to medium, and cook until the gravy thickens, about 10 minutes.

Finally, return the patties to the skillet and simmer until they are no longer pink in the center, about 5 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a patty should read at least 160°F (70°C).

Serve the Salisbury steaks with the mushroom gravy on top, along with your choice of sides. Enjoy!

What to serve with Salisbury steak

Salisbury steak is a comfort food classic that is usually served with mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy. The gravy is made with mushrooms, onions, beef broth, and cornstarch. The beef patties are typically made with ground beef, breadcrumbs, and seasonings. This dish is often served with a side of vegetables, such as steamed buttered corn, sauteed zucchini and squash, roasted carrots, green beans, corn, baked broccoli, green peas, collard greens, or sauteed spinach.

While mashed potatoes are the traditional side, there are other options to consider as well. Rice and noodles are great choices as they don't compete with the gravy for flavor. If you're looking for a lighter option, a crispy salad can provide a nice contrast to the tender beef and creamy gravy.

For those who want to indulge further, bread is a great option to sop up that delicious gravy. Dessert-wise, a fruit pie like apple pie can be a nice change from the creamy sauce of the main course. A scoop of vanilla ice cream is always a welcome addition, too.

If you're serving wine with your meal, a pinot noir or cabernet sauvignon is said to pair well with the flavors of Salisbury steak.

Salisbury steak ingredients

Salisbury steak is a variation of the Hamburg steak, which is an ancestor of the hamburger. It is named after James H. Salisbury, a doctor who promoted a meat-centred diet. The dish typically consists of ground beef patties with gravy and is usually served with mashed potatoes, although it can also be served with rice, noodles, or vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, or cauliflower mash.

The beef patties are made by mixing ground beef with breadcrumbs, seasonings, and flavourings such as Worcestershire sauce. Some recipes also include an egg to help hold the patties together. The patties are then cooked in a skillet until browned on both sides.

The gravy for Salisbury steak is typically made with mushrooms and onions. Mushrooms, such as white button or cremini mushrooms, are cooked in a skillet until golden. Onions are also sautéed in the skillet, and flour or cornstarch is added to thicken the gravy. Beef broth or stock is then added, along with seasonings such as salt and pepper, to taste. The gravy is cooked until thickened, and then the beef patties are added and simmered until cooked through.

Some recipes also include other ingredients in the gravy, such as heavy cream, garlic, or beef bullion. The gravy can also be made without mushrooms, using only onions as the base.

History of Salisbury steak

Salisbury steak is a processed meat dish that originated in the United States. It was created by Dr. James Henry Salisbury, an American physician and chemist known for advocating a meat-centred, low-vegetable diet. He believed that vegetables and starchy foods produced toxins in the digestive system, which caused various diseases.

During the American Civil War, Dr. Salisbury introduced the Salisbury steak as a proposed cure for digestive illnesses among Civil War troops. At the time, digestive illnesses killed more soldiers than combat did. The original recipe called for "'the muscle pulp of lean beef made into cakes and broiled", served with sauces like Worcester sauce, mustard, horseradish, or lemon juice. The dish was also referred to as "Hamburg steak", as it was similar to the ground beef dishes brought by sailors from Hamburg, Germany, to the Port of New York in the late 19th century.

In the 20th century, the dish evolved with the changing American lifestyle, particularly with the rise of frozen foods after World War II. It became a staple in Navy cookbooks by 1904 and was a common menu item in diners. Today, Salisbury steak is often served with gravy and side dishes like mashed potatoes and cooked vegetables. It is frequently available as a TV dinner in supermarket frozen food sections.

Frequently asked questions