This slow cooker Salisbury steak recipe is easy, tasty, and simply the best. This Salisbury steak with mushroom gravy was one of the first meals the kids started to request by name. It is so good, you will want to lick your plates clean - no joke!
The creamy gravy is so rich and comforts the soul. It all helps turn a brown sauce into a lovely mushroom and onion gravy that is to die for. All you need are some mashed sweet potatoes and your favorite vegetable to make a completely amazing CrockPot Salisbury steak meal.
Hamburger meat that is seasoned with fillers added helps it stay together and not fall apart. This is what is used for a traditional Salisbury steak recipe, not cubed steak. Cubed steak is better saved and used for chicken-fried steak or other recipes.
Salisbury steak is a version of Hamburg steak, made famous by migrating Germans (called Frikadelle in Germany) and became quite popular in the 19th century. Through changes along the way, the hamburger patties were fried, and then a brown sauce was added to become what have known for over a century as Salisbury steak. It was named after a physician and you can learn more here about James H Salisbury.
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Ingredients Needed
For this Crockpot Salisbury steak recipe, you will need some fresh ground beef and several pantry staples that you may already have on hand. This is a great slow cooker recipe like my keto slow cooker chili with bacon. Both are part of my list of must-make ground beef recipes using only a few ingredients.
- Ground Beef
- Onion Soup Mix
- Bread Crumbs
- Egg
- Milk
- Salt/Pepper
- Cream of Mushroom Soup
- Mushroom - optional
How to Make Salisbury Steak in the CrockPot
You will need ground beef, onion soup mix, breadcrumbs, an egg, milk, cream of mushroom soup, water, and optional mushrooms for this recipe. Many ingredients are staples or pantry items which makes this a simple recipe that can often be made without a special run to the grocery store.
This recipe may be made in a slow cooker versus the frying pan but it still has the traditional old-fashioned Salisbury steak goodness. The hamburger patties are made from scratch and then fried before adding to the CrockPot. To finish the Salisbury steak recipe, the patties are cooked in the slow cooker with a few other simple ingredients for magical results.
Mix the Hamburger Pattie Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, add the ground beef, ½ of the onion soup mix, bread crumbs, milk, and egg. Use your hands to mix well.
Form 6 oval-shaped flat (Salisbury steak) patties with your hands. Sprinkle each with salt and pepper on each side.
How Many Carbs in Salisbury Steak
This recipe is already a recipe on the lower end of the carb count. For one patty and some gravy, it estimates at about 10 carbs per serving. That is not bad at all for a comfort food classic.
To make this a low-carb & gluten-free Salisbury steak recipe, omit the bread crumbs and replace them with ¼ c almond flour and ¼ c parmesan cheese combo. Also, use a gluten-free condensed soup like Progresso. It would be about 5g carbs per patty with a little bit of gravy instead.
Pan-Fry the Salisbury Steaks
Heat a large frying pan with olive oil over medium-high heat. Add 2-3 patties to the pan, don’t overcrowd it. Cook for about 3 minutes for each side, until brown. When done, remove from the pan carefully and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Continue with the remaining patties to cook and drain.
Load up the Slow Cooker
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the cream of mushroom soup, ½ the onion soup mix, and water. Whisk to combine. This mushroom and onion gravy are what makes the slow-cooked beef extra flavorful and moist.
To the bottom of the Crockpot insert, place 3 patties in a single layer. Add half the soup mix evenly over the patties. Next, add the remaining patties in a layer also. If adding mushrooms, do so now. Finally, add the last half of the soup mixture to the top and spread evenly over the top.
Put the lid on the slow cooker. Set for 4 hours on low.
Variations & Substitutions
This recipe for Salisbury steak cooked in the CrockPot is easy to make with simple ingredients. If you need to make a substitution or use an alternate ingredient due to dietary or allergy needs, here are some suggestions.
- Bread Crumbs - use gluten-free bread crumbs for a gluten-free Salisbury steak patty.
- Onion Soup Mix - for a substitute use 3 tablespoons minced dry onion, ¼ teaspoon salt, & 1 tablespoon of beef bouillon powder.
What to Serve with Salisbury Steak
Let the Crockpot stay in the warm setting when done to make your additional sides. You can skim some of the fat off the top if you wish but stir it back in for a rich and amazing gravy that goes wonderful with mashed potatoes.
Or try any one of these great sides that go well with Salisbury steak. Enjoy vegetables, potatoes, or fresh-baked rolls. Some are healthy, gluten-free, and keto, and all are 100% yummy.
How to Store & Freeze Salisbury Steak
This recipe is great to make ahead of time or to keep for leftovers. It stores well which makes Salisbury steak perfect for meal planning. You can store it in an air-tight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator or up to a month in the freezer.
Reheating Salisbury Steak
The gravy with this recipe helps keep leftover Salisbury steak juicy. Warm up a leftover patty in the microwave for 1 minute. Or you can bake it in the oven at 400° for 5 minutes.
Other Easy Slow-Cooker Recipes
Here are my favorite main dish recipes to make in the slow cooker. All are quick, easy, & delicious. My favorite is the CrockPot Chicken Cacciatore.
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Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1.5 LBS ground beef 80/20
- 1 packet dry onion soup mix
- ½ C bread crumbs
- 1 egg
- ¼ C milk
- salt & pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup 10.75 ounce size
- ½ can water
- 1 C sliced mushrooms optional
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add the ground beef, ½ of the onion soup mix, bread crumbs, milk, and egg. Use your hands to mix well.
- Form 6 oval-shaped flat (Salisbury steak) patties with your hands. Sprinkle each with salt and pepper on each side.
- Heat a large frying pan with olive oil over medium-high heat. Add 3 patties to the pan, don’t overcrowd. Cook about 3 minutes each side, until brown. When done, remove from the pan carefully and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Continue with the remaining patties to cook and drain.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the cream of mushroom soup, ½ the onion soup mix, and water. Whisk to combine.
- To the bottom of the Crockpot insert, place 3 patties in a single layer. Add half the soup mix evenly over the patties. Next, add the remaining patties in a layer also. If adding mushrooms, do so now. Finally, add the last half of the soup mixture to the top and spread evenly over the top. Put the lid on the slow cooker. Set for 4 hours on low.
- Let stay on warm when done to make your additional sides. You can skim some of the fat off the top if you wish but stir it back in for a rich and amazing gravy that goes wonderful with mashed potatoes. Enjoy!
Notes
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 6 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 320 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 19.7g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat 6.4g | 32% |
| Cholesterol 94mg | 31% |
| Sodium 571mg | 25% |
| Total Carbohydrate 11.2g | 4% |
| Dietary Fiber 0.5g | 2% |
| Total Sugars 1.9g | |
| Protein 23.5g | |
| Vitamin D 3mcg | 13% |
| Calcium 61mg | 5% |
| Iron 3mg | 18% |
| Potassium 357mg | 8% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
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Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
Pinned and printed. Making this on Friday! Thanks for sharing at the What's for dinner party. Hope the rest of your week is joyful!
Angela says
Thanks for pinning and I hope you enjoy the recipe.
Stacy L Roman says
These look fantastic. Cant wait to try them. Thanks for sharing
Angela says
You are welcome, enjoy.
Ann Koenig says
The recipe doesn't say how much bread crumbs go into the patties. Thanks sounds great though!!
Angela says
Thanks, Ann, it was updated. Sorry, I missed that row in the recipe somehow but the amount for the breadcrumbs has been added.
Angelina says
I'm still scratching my head, trying to figure out WHY you'd put the patties into a slow cooker & wait 4 hours for them to be done, when you could make this very quickly & easily on the stovetop, in about 15 minutes? 80/20 gr. beef isn't tough, so it cooks quickly & it's also moist, so no need for a slow cooker, & having to wash two cooking vessels, without sacrificing the integrity of a recipe.....just sayin 🤔
Angela says
Thanks for the comment. I have made this in a pan and in the slow cooker and this is the method we prefer for the taste and how the gravy comes out. I personally appreciate being able to put this together during my lunch break (working from home) and not having to do anything else until it is dinner time. It is much better for me versus watching over the stovetop to stir and making gravy. Salisbury steak can be made several different ways, even in an Instant Pot, but if you want a slow cooker version, this is a wonderful option.
Ann Koenig says
Thanks so much for your prompt answer!! The recipe sounds terrific and I can't wait to try it!!
Angela says
Great. You are welcome.
Deborah says
You're so very right. Salisbury steak is a great comfort food and one of my favorites. Preparing it in a slow-cooker is a great idea for busy days. Thanks for sharing!
Angela says
YOu are welcome.
Jere Cassidy says
Good timing for this recipe since my hubby had just asked me to make this for him. It looks easy and full of flavor.
Nisha says
Looks like a great meal to enjoy with family and friends . The mushroom gravy to go along looks fantastic!
Beth says
I have to say that when I was growing up I thought that Salisbury steak only came in TV dinners. I can see now that it's not so different from a mushroom meatloaf, and I am going to correct my old misconceptions.
LaRena Fry says
Love the vintage classics. What an imaginative idea to add mushroom soup to it.
The Cooking Code says
What an easy recipe this appears to be! These kinds of recipes really are great for weekdays.
Jacqueline Debono says
I just love the combo of meat with mushroom sauce and mashed potaoes. I've done something similar with pork loin. Now I want to try it with Salisbury steak. Looks really good!
Angela says
I hope you enjoy this too.