Salisbury steak and mashed potatoes is ultimate meat and potatoes comfort food. Made with lean ground beef and smothered with mushroom gravy.
(Originally published 11/18/2017 and updated for content 1/31/2025)
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You don’t have to be on a meat-centered diet to still appreciate a good old-fashioned meat and potatoes meal every now and then. This easy salisbury steak recipe served over creamy mashed potatoes with plenty of rich brown gravy will have you drooling. The “steak” is really ground beef patties. So this is an economical choice to feed your family, reminiscent of tv dinners.
More family dinner recipes
Ingredients for salisbury steak recipe
- Ground Beef – One and third pounds of lean ground beef are shaped into four oval patties (steaks) for this recipe.
- Instant Potato Flakes – Mixes with the milk to create a “panade” – helps to bind together the steaks and also keep them tender.
- Milk
- Worcestershire Sauce – Traditional flavoring for salisbury steak.
- Onion – Sliced thin to help flavor the gravy.
- Butter – Adds flavor to the gravy and mixes with the flour to help thicken it.
- Mushrooms – Fresh sliced mushrooms are browned and part of the delicious gravy to pour over the salisbury steak and potatoes.
- Tomato Paste – Helps to add a bright acidic flavor to the brown gravy.
- Flour – Thickening for the gravy.
- Beef Broth – The base for the brown gravy.
- Red Wine – Helps to deepen the flavor of the mushroom gravy.
- Seasonings – Your favorite steak or grill seasoning will work well to season the meat.
Instructions for homemade salisbury steak
The patties are formed by mixing together the potato flakes and milk with the grill seasoning, salt and pepper, Worcestershire sauce and ground beef. The meat mixture is then formed into four equal portions.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt half the butter. Add the salisbury steaks and cook for about 5 minutes on each side to brown them. Remove the steaks to a clean plate and tent with foil.
Add the remaining butter to the same skillet with the onions and mushrooms. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the mushrooms are golden brown and the onion is soft. Add the tomato paste and flour and cook for a couple of minutes, stirring to combine. Then whisk in the beef broth and wine and cook until smooth and starting to thicken.
Add the steaks back to the pan with the gravy. Cover the pan and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the steaks reach a safe eating temperature of 165 degrees F. Keep scrolling to the bottom of this post for a full list of ingredients and complete instructions on my free, printable recipe card.
Invention
Salisbury steak gets the name from its inventor, Dr. James H. Salisbury. Back in the 1800’s he promoted a meat-based diet as a means for optimal health. And he is the one to create the original recipe. Ground beef, shaped into an oval patty and often served with Worcestershire sauce.
Serving suggestions
The steak and gravy are begging for mashed potatoes. Also a simple green vegetable like peas or green beans are a perfect side dish. Here’s some more recipe links to help make this into a complete meal –
Storage directions
Store leftover steak and gravy in an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. And it will keep in the freezer for up to one month.
Kitchen tools
- Nonstick skillet with glass lid for cooking the salisbury steak and gravy
- Favorite set of mixing bowls with lids
- My favorite and inexpensive instant read meat thermometer
Salisbury Steak and Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup milk
- 7 tbsp instant potato flakes
- 1 1/3 lbs lean ground beef
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp grill seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 4 tbsp butter divided
- 1 small onion thinly sliced
- 16 oz button mushrooms stemmed and sliced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 cups beef broth
- 1/4 cup red wine
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, potato flakes, Worcestershire sauce, grill seasoning and salt.
- Add the beef and mix until well combined. Divide the meat mixture into four patties. Refrigerate for 30 minutes (or up to four hours).
- In a large, non-stick skillet, melt two tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Add the salisbury steaks and cook about five minutes per side to brown the outside. Remove to a clean plate and tent with foil.
- Add the remaining two tablespoons of butter to the same skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for a couple of minutes, stirring to coat.
- Add the mushrooms and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until all the liquid evaporates and the mushrooms are browned - this will take about 10 minutes or so.
- Add the flour and the tomato paste and stir well. Whisk in the beef broth and red wine. Bring the sauce to a boil and reduce to a simmer.
- Return the salisbury steaks back to the pan in the simmering sauce. Cover the pan and cook for about 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the salisbury steaks reaches 165 degrees F.
- Serve the salisbury steak and mushroom gravy over mashed potatoes.
Nutrition
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Traci @ The Kitchen Girl says
Omgosh, I LOVED Salisbury Steak as a kid…and that was the gross TV dinner kind LOL. So, I’d probably really love a good homemade version. Thanks for sharing!
foodtasticmom says
Haha – yes I remember those TV dinners too and have eaten my share. Hope you try this recipe!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
I love vintage recipes like this, I can remember ordering Salisbury steak in restaurants as a kid, I can’t wait to try this!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you so much Sue
Jessica (swanky recipes) says
There is this restaurant in Baton Rouge that serves the most amazing Salisbury Steak and the hubs and I always visit just to get a bite. I can’t wait to share this recipe with the family as it will be a real treat!
foodtasticmom says
Great – I hope it meets your expectations 🙂
chris says
This steak looks absolutely mouth-watering! Such beautiful photos! Definitely going to give this recipe a go.
foodtasticmom says
Thanks so much Chris!
Kiki Johnson says
I have never heard of Salisbury Steak before but you really got me interested now. I will have to try it for dinner one of these days! Looks delish! Cheers, Kiki
foodtasticmom says
Thanks very much Kiki
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says
I love salisbury steak! Such great comfort food!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you!
Danielle says
I have never heard of this steak recipe before, but it sounds like something my husband would love. I will have to cook him some.
foodtasticmom says
Yes, it’s a popular dinner with the husbands, including mine!
Emily says
My husband loves salisbury steak- I need to make this ASAP!
foodtasticmom says
I hope you do!
Adriana Lopez Martin says
You know I have never tried Salisbury Steak this recipe looks very flavorful and a nice weekly dinner to serve the family. It also looks comforting and fulfilling.
foodtasticmom says
You really should try it! It is so good
Roxana says
Simple and easy recipe. I like the ingredients used. I would have to substitute the wine. Wondering what would work best for that?
foodtasticmom says
You can just use two cups of beef broth instead. I hope you try it!
Judy says
Wow, you just took me right back to my childhood! I haven’t had Salisbury Steak since my Mom used to make it, yrs in the 50’s. This is a recipe you can really tuck into butnrasy for busy families to make for dinner. Pinning for later with thanks!
foodtasticmom says
Thanks very much for the Pin!
Jenni LeBaron says
Yum! I don’t remember the last time I had a Salisbury steak, but these look like the perfect comfort food for these seasonally chilly spring days.
foodtasticmom says
Yes! If we can’t have warm weather yet, we can have comfort food!
traci says
Omgosh this looks deeeeelicious! I actually LOVED those nasty Salisbury steak TV dinners as a kid…and they were not good LOL. It would be fun to make your recipe and do a great big do-over on those. Just pinned…thanks for the inspiration 🙂
foodtasticmom says
Hahahah – “nasty Salisbury steak TV dinners” I remember those too and back then wasn’t grossed out by them either. Thank you so much for the pin!
georgie says
yummmmm! i can image how the gravy from the steak would be amazing with the mashed potatoes!!! drooling already!
foodtasticmom says
The gravy is probably my favorite part of this dish!
Claudia Lamascolo says
My my this looks like the best ever Salisbury steak. I love the gravy and its sheen and that would surely be divine on anyones plate. A classic that turned gourmet right there nice job!
foodtasticmom says
Thanks so much Claudia!
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
This recipe is the definition of comfort food! I remember eating this growing up- it’s delicious,and brings such happy memories! Will be making this one lots!
foodtasticmom says
Great – I hope you love the recipe!
Natalie says
WOW this steak looks so delicious and comforting! I can’t wait for the days getting a bit colder so that I can make this!
foodtasticmom says
It’s terrific comfort food for colder months for sure.
Brian Jones says
That looks superb, loving the flavours in the sauce, I really must make this, love it!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Brian!
Kavita Favelle says
This is not a dish I’m familiar with so your description of it as mini meatloaves with a sauce is helpful! And they sure look delicious!
foodtasticmom says
Great, I’m glad the description helped. I hope you try them!
Danielle says
The sauce for this steak sounds amazing. That would be some good date night food.
foodtasticmom says
Thank you so much!
Denise Bingham says
What grill seasoning do you use?
foodtasticmom says
I don’t have a particular brand or type. Weber and McCormick are generally what I buy.
Kimberly says
I’m so happy that you posted this recipe . I found the original recipe several years back and made it all the time for my husband. However, I quit making it because I lost the recipe and could not find online. I could not remember for the life of me what the secret ingredient was until I found you!!!!’ Bless you for posting this because my husband would beg me to make Salsberry steak and I wouldn’t make it as much as he wanted because it never turned out as good because I could not find the recipe. Thank you so much for posting this is absolutely the best Salsberry steak that you were ever fine on the Internet or anywhere else. I recommend anybody to try this recipe because it’s easy and absolutely delicious on a pile of mashed potatoes. Thanks again so much for posting and have a great day
Kimberly says
Sorry got my typos! I didn’t say what the secret ingredient was, it’s the instant potatoes!!! For some reason it really works. I think because some people might use breadcrumbs which would make it heavy, but keep it all together. The Instant potatoes don’t make it heavy, keeps it light, but still you get that hearty Salisbury steak everyone will love
Victoria says
I have made this a lot and it is the best Salisbury Steak recipe I have ever made. This recipe receives raves from everyone that ate it. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. I encourage everyone to try it.
foodtasticmom says
I’m happy to hear this! Thank
you for taking the time to write and review.
Scott Dressman says
What a throwback. It was delicious and so easy.
foodtasticmom says
I’m happy you enjoyed these salisbury steaks!