One of the exciting things about my childhood adopted country, the US, was discovering all the new food. I’ve previously shared some stories about the new dishes I was introduced to in the school cafeteria. Those introductions were always memorable but not always enjoyable. Salisbury steak was one of the foods I was introduced to in my American grade school, and the experience was somewhere in the middle.
It really isn’t fair to judge new foods from school cafeterias, mixed with emotions of the culture shock that my young mind, and stomach, was trying to get used to. The Salisbury steak wasn’t really all that bad, I did enjoy the brown sauce with mushrooms, potatoes and corn it was served with. I didn’t want to give up on this new dish and did eat it whenever it was on offer in the cafeteria. Over time I even learned to like the dish.
As we got a little bit older my sisters and I liked to buy frozen meals from the grocery store. (My parents never bought processed meals because my mom made everything from scratch.) I remember my two favorite frozen foods to buy were tater tots and Salisbury steak dinners. There was just something about the “meat” floating in that brown sauce, the green beans, mashed potatoes and…whatever the sweet thing was supposed to be, that I liked so much. Maybe not the healthiest of foods but one I grew fond of.
One night my husband surprised me with a Salisbury steak dinner. Of course his tasted a million times better than the frozen stuff. During the years that I didn’t cook it was a meal I often requested he cook for us. Eventually he taught me how to cook it and ever since I have been in charge of the Salisbury dinners. My poor husband probably wishes he hadn’t taught me his recipe because I cooked it so often that he’s now burnt out on the dish. Now it is a dish I cook only once is a very great while. That being the case I photographed it to share the recipe with you. It’s not a traditional Salisbury steak recipe but it is one packed full of great flavours. Enjoy!
- 500 gm or 1 lb. ground beef mixed with ground pork (use half beef and half pork)
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp granulated garlic
- large pinch salt or to taste
- large pinch ground black pepper or to taste
- olive oil
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 1 can sliced mushrooms, drained and rinsed a couple of times
- salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 2 minced garlic cloves or 1 tsp granulated garlic
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp mustard powder
- 500 ml or 2 cups low sodium beef broth
- 2 tbsp flour
- In a large bowl combine the ground meat mix with spices. Use your hands to work the spices into the meat. Make 4 even sized patties. Heat just a tiny bit of olive oil to coat the pan. Cook the patties for 8 minutes then flip and cook another 8 minutes, or until cooked all the way through. Drain off all the fat from pan, remove the patties and set aside. In the same pan saute the onions until they begin to soften, then add the drained mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes. Next add the salt, black pepper, garlic, paprika and mustard. Stir until well combined and place the patties back in the pan.
- Place the flour in a small bowl and whisk in the beef broth. Continue whisking until there are no flour lumps in the broth. Pour the broth mix into the pan, cover and simmer for 5 minutes or until the sauce, or gravy, thickens. Serve over mashed potatoes and your favorite green vegetable.
The mashed potatoes are homemade and here’s how I make mine. Feel free to serve the Salisbury steaks with your favorite green vegetable. In the photos you’ll see broccoli, because that’s all I had at home, but I think green beans or peas compliment the dish best. Plus if you have some cherry juice to drink alongside, then I really recommend it.
On a last note, May’s YBR has been open for submissions. The deadline is this Friday or 31st of May. Add your best recipe of May to the roundup here!
A mouthwatering and comforting meal!
My mother also cooked everything from scratch. Homemade food is simply the best!
Cheers,
Rosa
Thank you Rosa! That’s great that your mother all cooked from scratch.:)
I could never make this meal look so good with a photo!!
Nancy this ..is real comfort food..especially nestled the way you did.
I don’t think I did a good job with the photos, but I had to share the recipe. Foods like this are extremely difficult to photograph. Thank you so much Monique:)
I am literally drooling here – This looks fabulous… I am also a Salisbury Steak Fan and I also got introduced to it after coming to America :)
I just wish I could grab that plate right off the screen!
Hehe, that’s a good thing Shema!:) Thank you, now you must make some for dinner.
Great minds truly do think alike! I have had Salisbury Steak on my mental radar for some time. I am just hungry for it, but as my husband is vegetarian, I haven’t gotten around to making it just for me. Now that I have your recipe, I definitely will. BTW–I do hope to see you on one of these Moroccan trips one day, Nancy. I can only imagine the photos you would take.
Oh, how great is that! I hope you can make your Salisbury steak soon Victoria. Thanks!
haha Salisbury dinners! ;) How sweet that he taught you to make this dish, I have no idea why I have never seen or even tastes this dish. Got to change this asap!
It’s really an American dish, so maybe that’s why you haven’t seen it. Thanks Helene!
I love the gravy, it sounds mouth-watering!
It’s really good on many other meat and even pasta dishes. Thanks Laura!
Oh my, I just had a flashback to my childhood as well Nancy. I haven’t had a Salisbury steak for decades. I love your version and the mushroom sauce sounds delicious.
Thank you Alyssa, I hope you can give it a try sometime.:)
Yeah definite comfort food from childhood but not to be judge from the caf! Your versions looks so good
As I learned many years later. Thanks Evelyne!:)
I remember eating my share of those frozen growing up. I’d much prefer your husbands’ recipe now though. With extra of the gravy, it’s a little cooler here this week and a heavier meal does sound good. Hope you are enjoying Spring over there.
-Gina-
We too have been having cool and rainy weather here, so it’s the perfect meal. Thanks Gina!
This looks delicious! I love salisbury steaks too but usually end up buying the frozen diet version because I’m too lazy to make it myself! I’m going to have to try this recipe!
Hi Amanda,
I hope you do give the recipe a try sometime. It’s really easy and fast too, plus you could even freeze extras. Enjoy:)
Yeah, the salisbury steak I remember from my childhood was no where are tempting as yours! This looks like a hubby approved me…that I would enjoy just as much!
Definitely hubby approved, thanks Liz!
OMG: I am truly laughing aloud even if alone?!! I have not seen the name ‘Salisbury steak’ on paper or eaten it for, shall we admit it, some 20-30 years! It was one of those first Anglo dishes to which I was introduced as a NE European immigrant to Down Under way back when!! Did not impress all that much then! Sounds fine on paper now!! SO: onwards to try and have a laugh and a memory :) !
Hehe, that’s funny how at first many are not impressed with the dish. Well it’s not a dish for everyone.:)
Even being American born and bred, TRUE!
Salisbury steak was not a fave childhood memory too!
Could never REALLY get a recipe the way the diners did,
I think the secret was in the gravy, and the cooks recipe they always hid! :)
A great gravy makes all the difference Joanne.
This looks great! One of my Dad’s favorite meals!
Thanks Ravie:)
What a tasty and classic dish!
Thanks!
I never had salisbury steak, but I am curious to try. The gravy and the creamy mash potatoes along with it, sounds like a great comfort meal.
You should try it at least once Kankana. It’s really comfort food but also great year round. Thanks!:)
I remember those school lunch Salisbury steaks! I always kind liked them too, but I suspect now I wouldn’t. Yours, though, looks wonderful! Salisbury steak the way it’s supposed to be. Good stuff – thanks.
I didn’t really like the school lunches, I think I wouldn’t even be able to get them down now, lol:) Thank you John!
What a beautiful and comforting dish Nancy…the photography is absolutely awesome.
Hope you are having a great week :)
Thank you Juliana!
I love this kind of food Nancy. I didn’t know it was an American classic , but wherever it coms from you got to love mushroom sauce.
I’m not sure if it originated in America but it is quite common there. Thanks!
Growing up my mom made salisbury steak at least once a week – and we loved it! It’s a shame to think I probably haven’t had it since I moved away from home. That must change at once! This looks so comforting and is even making me miss home right now.
It really seems to be a childhood food for so many. Thanks Ashely and I hope you make yourself some soon.
This dish is new to me and it is mouthwatering!
Comfort food at its best.
Your pictures are outstanding Nancy everything looks so appetizing, I can just taste it from those pictures :)
Thank you so much Daniela!:)
You are speaking to my inner child with this delicious dinner. My mother never made Salisbury steak… I ate the frozen TV dinner kind… it NEVER looked this good. But now I know I need to make the real deal at home soon. :)
You should totally make some Salisbury steak Ramona:)
saving salisbury steak, eh? good for you! that is one of those that i also have mixed feelings about, because the ingredients mean it SHOULD be good, but i also ate one too many from the school cafeteria. :) this real life, non-frozen version looks to die for, though.
Thank you Anna!
My mother made a mean salisbury steak with gravy (no mushrooms) and mashed potatoes. You’ve made my mouth start watering just thinking about it and looking at those gorgeous pictures of an ultimate comfort food! Thanks for the memories and the inspiration to make this!
I hope you do make your mom’s Salisbury steak soon. Thanks MJ!
When I made hambagu (Japanese hamburger steak), I did a bit research and this Salisbury Steak recipe came up. That’s when I found out about this recipe. I never had it, but considering it’s very similar cooking method I’d love to give this a try with mushroom and onion gravy! Looks absolutely delicious Nancy!
Funny, when I did research on the Salisbury steak I came across hambagu.:) You should try it sometime and I’m sure your kids would love it. Thanks Nami!
This recipe was absolutely fantastic! Easy, fast, low in Weight Watchers points and as delicious over penne for leftover lunch! The only changes I made was I used fresh mushrooms and increased the flour a bit to account for the water in mushrooms and a little extra garlic. Thanks! Wonderful!
Glad to hear you enjoyed my recipe so much, Yvette! Fresh mushrooms are a great exchange for the canned. Thanks:)
I haven’t had Salisbury Steak in years and you have renewed my interest! This looks like such a delicious and hearty supper! Love the photos! Great post!
Just wanted to let you know I’ve made this for the second time and the whole family absolutely LOVES it!! Thank you for a great recipe. I had been searching for a good salisbury steak recipe and this is it!
I was trying to figure out this morning what to serve for dinner toNITE!!! I thought HUMMMMMMMM, I have not made SALISBURY STEAK in awhile. Then I thought ,I will look for different version. My husband is FRENCH and I introduce this entree many years ago, and he loves it . I have my own version, but I will definitely try yours . SOUND AND LOOKS GREAT.
THANKS FOR SHARING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, enjoy your salisbury steak. It is one of our favourite meals in my house.
Great post.
Thanks!