Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak

3. Instructions

1. Form Patties: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Worcestershire sauce, and seasoning. Mix by hand until just combined and shape into 4–6 oval patties.

2. Optional Sear: (Optional) For extra flavor, quickly brown the patties in a skillet over medium-high heat for 2 minutes per side before placing them in the slow cooker.

3. Layer: Arrange the beef patties in the bottom of the slow cooker. Top each patty generously with sliced mushrooms and sliced onions.

4. Add Flavor: Sprinkle the gravy mix or dry seasoning packet over the top of the mushrooms and beef.

5. Pour: Whisk the beef broth with a little water (if needed) and pour it around the sides of the patties.

6. Slow Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or on HIGH for 3 hours until the beef is fully cooked and the mushrooms are tender.

7. Thicken Gravy: If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the patties at the end of cooking and whisk a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water) into the remaining liquid on high for 5–10 minutes.

4. Variations

• Creamy Mushroom: Stir in 1/2 cup of sour cream or a can of condensed cream of mushroom soup at the end for a richer, paler gravy.

• Herb-Forward: Add 1 tsp of dried thyme or rosemary to the beef mixture for an earthy, aromatic twist.

• French Onion Style: Use a generous amount of caramelized onions and top the patties with a slice of Swiss or Provolone cheese during the last 10 minutes of cooking.

5. Serving and Storage

• Serving: This is best served over a mound of buttery mashed potatoes or wide egg noodles to soak up the savory mushroom gravy.

• Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

• Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat. If the gravy has thickened too much, add a splash of beef broth to loosen it.

6. Benefits

• Hands-Off Cooking: Minimal active prep time allows the slow cooker to do the heavy lifting.

• Economical: Turns affordable ground beef into a satisfying, “steak-like” meal for a large family.

• Internal Moisture: The moist heat of the slow cooker prevents the beef patties from drying out, which can often happen during pan-frying.