Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried thyme
Instructions
- Mix the patties: In a medium bowl, combine your ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, salt, and pepper. (Here’s a tip: If you like your patties a bit more tender, use milk that’s closer to room temperature.) Gently mix with your hands—don’t overwork the meat, or your patties might turn out tough. Form them into 4-6 patties, depending on how large you like them.
- Brown the patties: Heat your skillet over medium heat and add a little oil. Once the oil shimmers, add the patties and cook for about 4 minutes per side, until they’re nicely browned. You’re not cooking them all the way through at this stage, just getting that beautiful caramelization. Remove the patties and set them aside.
- Sauté the onions: In the same skillet, add your sliced onions. If the pan is dry, add a bit more oil or butter. Let them cook down until they’re soft and starting to caramelize—this usually takes about 5-7 minutes. (Pro tip: If you want deeper caramelization, add a pinch of sugar to the onions while they cook.)
- Make the gravy: Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir, cooking for about a minute to get rid of the raw flour taste. Gradually pour in the beef broth, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Add in the Worcestershire sauce and thyme. Bring the gravy to a simmer, letting it thicken as you stir.
- Finish cooking the patties: Nestle the patties back into the gravy, cover the skillet, and let everything simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the patties are cooked through and the gravy has thickened. If the gravy gets too thick, just add a splash of water or broth to thin it out
Notes
Serving and presentation: Let’s make it pretty
For a classic presentation, serve your hamburger steak with mashed potatoes—those creamy potatoes just soak up the gravy in the best way. You could also serve it with rice or buttered egg noodles. As for garnishes, a little fresh parsley sprinkled on top adds a pop of color. If you’re feeling extra fancy, a small pat of butter melting over the top of the patties just before serving can’t hurt either!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner