Get ready to enjoy a classic, hearty, and incredibly satisfying meal with this foolproof Slow Cooker Salisbury Steakrecipe. This dish is the epitome of comfort food, featuring tender, perfectly seasoned beef patties slow-cooked in a rich and savory mushroom and onion gravy. It’s a true “set it and forget it” meal that delivers deep, slow-simmered flavor with minimal effort, making it the perfect dinner for a busy weeknight. Served over creamy mashed potatoes, this is a meal that will have the whole family asking for seconds.
Why This is the Best Comfort Food Recipe
This recipe is a weeknight dinner game-changer for so many reasons.
- Melt-in-Your-Mouth Tender: The slow cooker works its magic, making the beef patties unbelievably moist and tender.
- Rich and Savory Gravy: The simple combination of condensed soup and beef broth creates a deeply flavorful gravy that tastes like it has been simmering all day.
- Incredibly Easy: After a quick browning of the patties, the slow cooker does all the work, making this a perfect meal for any skill level.
- A Family-Friendly Favorite: The classic, comforting flavors are a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults, making it a staple for family dinners.
Your Simple Ingredient Checklist
This recipe uses a handful of simple ingredients to create a spectacular meal.
The Ingredient Lineup:
- 1 pound of ground beef
- ½ cup of bread crumbs
- ¼ cup of milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 packet of dry onion soup mix
- 1 can of condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup of beef broth
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 1 cup of sliced mushrooms
Step-by-Step Instructions
A quick sear before slow cooking is the key to the deep flavor in this delicious dish.
Part 1: Prepare the Patties
- Form the Patties: In a large bowl, use your hands to gently mix together the ground beef, bread crumbs, milk, egg, and the packet of dry onion soup mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Form the mixture into 4-6 oval-shaped patties.
- Sear for Flavor: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the patties for 2-3 minutes on each side. They do not need to be cooked through. This step is crucial for developing a deep, savory crust. Transfer the browned patties to your slow cooker.
Part 2: Make the Gravy and Cook
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the sliced onions and mushrooms and sauté for 3-5 minutes, until they are tender. Place the cooked vegetables on top of the patties in the slow cooker.
- Create the Gravy: In a medium bowl, whisk together the can of cream of mushroom soup and the beef broth until smooth.
- Combine and Cook: Pour the prepared soup mixture evenly over the patties and vegetables in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours, until the patties are cooked through and completely tender.
Part 3: Serve
- Serve Hot: Serve the Salisbury steak patties hot, generously smothered in the rich mushroom and onion gravy. This dish is fantastic served over creamy mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or white rice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Do I have to brown the patties before putting them in the slow cooker? While you can skip the searing step if you are very short on time, it is highly recommended. Searing the patties creates a beautiful brown crust (the Maillard reaction), which adds a deep, rich, savory flavor to both the meat and the final gravy that you won’t get otherwise. It also helps the patties hold their shape during the long cooking time.
2. What should I serve with Salisbury steak? This dish is classically served over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, which are perfect for soaking up all the delicious gravy. It is also excellent with egg noodles or a side of fluffy white rice. A simple vegetable side, like steamed green beans or roasted broccoli, would be a perfect addition to round out the meal.
3. Can I use a different kind of “cream of” soup? Yes, this recipe is very versatile. While cream of mushroom is classic for Salisbury steak, you could easily substitute it with cream of chicken or cream of celery soup. For an even richer onion flavor, you could use a can of condensed French onion soup.
4. How do I store and reheat leftovers? Store any leftover Salisbury steak and gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can warm them in a saucepan on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave until heated through.
Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
Equipment
- Slow cooker
- Large skillet for searing patties and sautéing vegetables
- Mixing bowl for patties and gravy
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ cup bread crumbs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 packet dry onion soup mix
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
Instructions
- In a large bowl, gently mix ground beef, bread crumbs, milk, egg, and onion soup mix until just combined. Shape into 4-6 oval patties.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown patties for 2-3 minutes per side (not fully cooked). Transfer to the slow cooker.
- In the same skillet, sauté onions and mushrooms for 3-5 minutes until tender. Add to the slow cooker on top of the patties.
- In a bowl, whisk cream of mushroom soup and beef broth until smooth. Pour evenly over the patties and vegetables.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours, until patties are tender and fully cooked.
- Serve hot, smothered with mushroom-onion gravy. Enjoy over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice.