Description
Hearty hamburger steak with onion gravy delivers classic comfort straight from Southern kitchens, blending juicy beef with rich, savory sauce. Home cooks savor this nostalgic dish that brings warmth and satisfaction to family dinner tables.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) ground beef 85% lean
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 3 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt
- Pepper
Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons frozen butter, shredded
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, very finely minced
- 2 yellow onions, sliced into 3/4 inch strings
- 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, divided
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 3 tablespoons corn starch
Instructions
- Gently blend minced onions, shredded butter, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard with ground beef in a large mixing bowl, being careful not to overmix to maintain tenderness.
- Craft the mixture into uniform oval-shaped patties and refrigerate for 15 minutes to help them maintain their structure during cooking.
- Remove patties from refrigerator and season both sides generously with salt and pepper to enhance their natural flavors.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (around 375°F). Sear the patties for 2-3 minutes per side, developing a rich brown crust, then set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and melt butter in the same skillet. Add sliced onions and cook slowly for 15-20 minutes until they become soft and caramelized, creating a robust flavor foundation.
- Pour chicken and beef broths into the skillet, incorporating onion powder, garlic powder, and additional Worcestershire sauce. Use a spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the pan’s bottom.
- Whisk cornstarch and cold water in a separate bowl until completely smooth. Bring the gravy mixture to a boil, then stir in the cornstarch slurry, watching it thicken rapidly.
- Return the seared patties to the skillet, spooning gravy over them. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, ensuring they reach an internal temperature of 160°F for safe consumption.
- Just before serving, swirl in a final tablespoon of cold butter to create a luxurious, silky gravy texture.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve alongside creamy mashed potatoes and roasted carrots for a complete, comforting meal.
Notes
- Chilling the meat mixture helps maintain the steak’s structure and prevents crumbling during cooking.
- Use lean ground beef with a fat content around 80/20 for juicy, flavorful hamburger steaks without excessive greasiness.
- Avoid overworking the meat when mixing ingredients to keep the texture tender and prevent tough, dense steaks.
- For a gluten-free version, replace cornstarch with arrowroot powder or potato starch as a gravy thickener.
- Customize the dish by adding mushrooms to the gravy or incorporating different herbs like thyme or rosemary for extra depth.
- Consider using a meat thermometer to ensure precise doneness and food safety, aiming for an internal temperature of 160°F.
- Low and slow caramelization of onions develops rich, sweet flavors that elevate the entire gravy’s taste profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg