Hamburger Steak with Onions and Gravy Recipe
Delicious homemade hamburger steak smothered in caramelized onions and savory beef gravy. This comfort food classic features juicy, seasoned ground beef patties cooked to perfection and simmered in a rich, flavorful gravy made from beef broth and fresh thyme, perfect for a satisfying family dinner.
- Author: Amy
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Hamburger Steaks
- 1½ pounds ground beef (80/20 blend for best flavor)
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- ⅓ cup plain breadcrumbs (panko works wonderfully)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Onions and Gravy
- 2 large yellow onions, sliced into half-moons
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2½ cups beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 tablespoon heavy cream for extra richness
Dietary Substitutions
- Gluten-free: Use almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs
- Lower fat: Choose 90/10 ground beef and reduce oil
- Dairy-free: Replace butter with additional oil
- Flavor boost: Add mushrooms alongside the onions
- Prepare the Hamburger Steaks: In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the ground beef, beaten egg, breadcrumbs, diced onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix just until combined to avoid tough patties. Divide the mixture into 4-6 equal portions and shape into oval patties about ¾-inch thick. Create a small indent in the center of each patty with your thumb to prevent puffing during cooking.
- Brown the Patties: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the hamburger steaks carefully. Cook for 4-5 minutes on the first side until golden brown crust forms. Flip and cook another 3-4 minutes. The patties won’t be fully cooked yet as they’ll finish in the gravy. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Caramelize the Onions: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add butter. Once melted, add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes until soft and golden brown. The natural sugars will caramelize giving deep flavor.
- Create the Gravy Base: Sprinkle the flour over the caramelized onions and stir constantly for about 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste, forming the roux which thickens the gravy.
- Build the Perfect Gravy: Slowly pour in the beef broth while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Add fresh thyme and bring to a gentle simmer. The gravy will start to thicken in 2-3 minutes.
- Finish Cooking: Nestle the hamburger steaks into the skillet and spoon gravy over each patty. Cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes to allow flavors to meld and patties to cook through. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Notes
- Overmixing the meat can result in tough patties; mix gently.
- Creating an indent in the patties helps prevent them from puffing up while cooking.
- Use low-sodium beef broth to control salt content.
- For gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free options.
- Adding mushrooms when caramelizing onions adds extra flavor and texture.
- Optional heavy cream added to gravy adds richness and creaminess.
- Ground beef with higher fat content (80/20) provides better flavor and juiciness.
- Butter can be swapped with oil for dairy-free needs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 patty with gravy
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
Keywords: Hamburger steak, Salisbury steak, caramelized onions, beef gravy, comfort food, ground beef patties