Get ready for the coziest, most satisfying dinner imaginable. This Crockpot Salisbury Steak recipe delivers tender, perfectly seasoned beef patties swimming in a rich and savory mushroom onion gravy. It’s the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. If you’re looking for a classic comfort food dinner that the whole family will adore, you’ve found it.
This is one of those recipes that brings back memories of classic family dinners but with the modern convenience of your slow cooker. The beef patties become incredibly tender and soak up all the flavor from the luscious gravy as they simmer away. It’s the perfect solution for a busy weeknight when you still want a hearty, home-cooked meal.
Why This is the Best Crockpot Salisbury Steak Recipe
We’ve tested and tweaked this recipe to make it absolutely foolproof. Here’s why you’ll fall in love with it:
Incredibly Flavorful: Searing the patties first creates a deep, rich flavor base that you just can’t get by putting raw meat in the crockpot. It’s an extra step that’s worth every second!
Effortless Cooking: After a quick 10-minute prep, the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting. Your house will smell amazing for hours.
Tender, Juicy Patties: Slow cooking breaks down the ground beef, ensuring your Salisbury steaks are never dry or tough. They are melt-in-your-mouth tender.
The Perfect Gravy: This mushroom and onion gravy is savory, rich, and absolutely delicious spooned over everything on your plate.
Key Ingredients for Perfect Salisbury Steak
The magic of this dish comes from simple, wholesome ingredients that pack a huge flavor punch. Here’s what you’ll need:
Simple, fresh ingredients are the key to the best Salisbury Steak.
Ground Beef: We recommend using lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10) to prevent the gravy from becoming too greasy.
Panko Breadcrumbs: These help bind the patties together and keep them moist.
Egg: The primary binder that ensures your patties don’t fall apart.
Dry Onion Soup Mix: This is our secret weapon! It adds a huge depth of savory, oniony flavor to both the patties and the gravy with zero effort.
Mushrooms: Cremini or baby bella mushrooms provide a wonderful earthy flavor and texture.
Onion & Garlic: The aromatic foundation for our delicious gravy.
Beef Broth: Use a low-sodium beef broth so you can control the saltiness of the final dish.
Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a classic, tangy umami flavor that is essential for Salisbury steak.
Cornstarch: Used at the end to create a slurry that thickens the gravy to the perfect consistency.
How to Make Crockpot Salisbury Steak (Step-by-Step)
Making this classic dish is easier than you think. Just follow these simple steps for a perfect result every time.
Step 1: Prepare the Beef Patties
In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef, Panko breadcrumbs, egg, half of the onion soup mix packet, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the patties tough. Form the mixture into 4-6 oval-shaped patties, about 3/4-inch thick.
Step 2: Sear for Maximum Flavor
Heat a tablespoon of olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place the patties in the hot skillet and sear for 2-3 minutes per side, until a beautiful brown crust forms. This step is crucial for developing flavor! The patties do not need to be cooked through. Transfer the seared patties to your crockpot.
Step 3: Make the Mushroom Gravy
In the same skillet, add the sliced onions and mushrooms. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, until the onions are soft and the mushrooms have released their liquid and started to brown. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir to coat, cooking for one minute. Slowly whisk in the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in the remaining onion soup mix and ketchup. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection
Pour the gravy mixture from the skillet over the beef patties in the crockpot. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. The patties should be cooked through and incredibly tender.
A perfect bowl of comfort, ready to be enjoyed.
Step 5: Thicken the Gravy
About 20-30 minutes before serving, create a cornstarch slurry. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Pour this mixture into the crockpot and stir gently to combine. Cover and cook on HIGH for the remaining time, or until the gravy has thickened to your desired consistency.
Expert Tips for Success
A few simple tricks can take your slow cooker Salisbury steak from good to absolutely amazing.
Tip
Why It Works
Don’t Skip the Sear
Searing the patties creates the Maillard reaction, which develops deep, savory flavors that are essential for a rich-tasting final dish.
Use Lean Ground Beef
An 85/15 or 90/10 blend prevents the gravy from becoming overly greasy while still providing enough fat for tender, flavorful patties.
Scrape the Brown Bits
When you deglaze the pan with beef broth, make sure to scrape up all the “fond” (browned bits). This is pure flavor and the secret to a great gravy.
Don’t Overmix the Meat
Mix the patty ingredients just until combined. Overworking the meat can result in tough, dense Salisbury steaks.
Recipe Variations to Try
This recipe is fantastic as is, but it’s also easy to customize to your liking!
Creamy Gravy: For an extra rich and creamy gravy, stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream or a dollop of sour cream during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
No Onion Soup Mix: If you don’t have a packet of onion soup mix, you can substitute it with 1 teaspoon each of onion powder, garlic powder, and dried parsley, plus a pinch of celery salt.
Gluten-Free Salisbury Steak: To make this recipe gluten-free, use your favorite gluten-free breadcrumbs and substitute the all-purpose flour in the gravy with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch (in addition to the slurry at the end).
What to Serve with Salisbury Steak
Salisbury steak is classic comfort food that begs for equally cozy side dishes. The rich gravy is perfect for soaking up with:
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Buttered Egg Noodles
Fluffy White Rice
Steamed Green Beans or Sweet Peas
A side of crusty bread for dipping
For a complete and hearty meal, consider pairing it with our creamy crockpot scalloped potatoes (coming soon).
Storage, Freezing, and Reheating
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Salisbury steak and gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors often meld and taste even better the next day!
Can You Freeze Salisbury Steak?
Yes, this recipe freezes beautifully! Allow the dish to cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe, airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How to Reheat
The best way to reheat Salisbury steak is gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat until warmed through. You can also microwave it, but be careful not to overcook the patties. You may need to add a splash of beef broth to thin out the gravy if it has thickened too much.
Crockpot Salisbury Steak
FL Recipes
Crockpot Salisbury Steak: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe
The easiest Crockpot Salisbury Steak featuring tender beef patties slow-cooked in a rich, savory mushroom and onion gravy. A classic comfort food dinner perfect for any weeknight.
In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef, Panko breadcrumbs, egg, 2 tablespoons of the onion soup mix, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix with your hands until just combined, but do not overmix.
Shape the mixture into 4-6 oval patties, about 3/4-inch thick.
Sear the Patties
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the patties for 2-3 minutes per side until a brown crust forms. They will not be cooked through. Transfer the seared patties to the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
Make the Gravy
To the same skillet, add the sliced onions and mushrooms. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and browned. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir continuously for 1 minute.
Slowly whisk in the beef broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to release any browned bits. Stir in the ketchup and the remaining onion soup mix. Bring to a simmer.
Pour the gravy over the patties in the slow cooker.
Slow Cook
Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours.
Thicken the Gravy
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to make a slurry. Pour the slurry into the slow cooker and stir gently. Cover and cook on HIGH for another 20-30 minutes, or until the gravy has thickened.
Serve hot over mashed potatoes or egg noodles, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Nutrition
Calories: 485kcalProtein: 34gFat: 31gFiber: 2g
Notes
Do not skip searing the patties! This step is critical for developing the deep, rich flavor that makes this dish so delicious. For a creamier gravy, stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream during the last 15 minutes of cooking. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Yes, we highly recommend it! Searing the patties before slow cooking creates a deep, caramelized flavor through the Maillard reaction. This step is crucial for developing a rich, savory taste in both the steaks and the gravy. It also helps the patties hold their shape.
The easiest way to thicken the gravy is by using a cornstarch slurry. Simply whisk together equal parts cornstarch and cold water until smooth, then stir it into the crockpot during the last 20-30 minutes of cooking on the HIGH setting. The gravy will thicken up beautifully.
While you can use pre-made frozen patties in a pinch, we strongly recommend making your own for the best flavor and texture. If using frozen, thaw them completely first and sear them as directed in the recipe. Note that the final texture may be slightly different.
The main difference is in the preparation and serving. Salisbury steak includes fillers like breadcrumbs and egg, is typically formed into an oval shape, and is always served with a gravy. A hamburger steak is usually just seasoned ground beef, formed into a round patty, and can be served with or without gravy.
You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It also freezes very well for up to 3 months, making it a great meal prep option.
More Cozy Crockpot Recipes You’ll Love
If you loved this easy dinner, you’ll be obsessed with our other slow cooker favorites. They make getting a delicious meal on the table completely effortless. Be sure to try our famous Mississippi Pot Roast or this classic Crockpot Beef Stew. For another easy ground beef meal, this Crockpot Meatloaf (coming soon) is a guaranteed winner!
Did you make this recipe? We’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below and don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest!
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
