Salisbury Steak with Creamy Sauce Recipe

The Juiciest Salisbury Steak with Creamy Sauce Recipe Ever

Salisbury steak embodies the heartwarming essence of classic comfort food that crafts humble ingredients into a culinary delight.

Home cooks have long cherished this satisfying dish for its rich, deep flavors and tender meat.

Crafted with a masterful blend of ground beef and seasonings, the steak promises a robust meal that feels simultaneously nostalgic and exciting.

Each carefully formed patty represents a canvas of culinary creativity, infused with aromatic herbs and spices.

The luxurious creamy sauce elevates this dish from simple sustenance to a truly memorable dining experience.

Complex yet approachable, this recipe bridges traditional cooking techniques with modern palate preferences.

Comfort and sophistication merge in a single skillet, promising a meal that will leave you craving more.

Salisbury Steak with Creamy Sauce Done Right

  • Effortless Comfort Cooking: This Salisbury Steak recipe transforms simple ground beef into a hearty, mouthwatering meal with minimal prep work and maximum flavor using a slow cooker.
  • Creamy Sauce Magic: The combination of cream of chicken soup and au jus mix creates a luxuriously rich, velvety sauce that perfectly coats the tender beef patties, elevating a classic dish to new heights of deliciousness.
  • Hands-Off Convenience: Slow cooking allows busy home cooks to prep quickly, then walk away while the appliance works its magic, delivering a restaurant-quality meal with minimal hands-on time and guaranteed tender results.

Ingredients for Salisbury Steak with Cream Sauce

Meat:
  • Ground Beef: Lean and flavorful base for the Salisbury steak, best with 80/20 meat to fat ratio for juicy patties.
  • Dry Onion Soup Mix: Adds instant depth of flavor and helps bind the meat mixture.
Binding and Coating:
  • Italian Seasoned Bread Crumbs: Helps hold the meat patties together and adds herbal undertones.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates a light, crispy exterior when dredging meat patties.
Sauce and Cooking Liquid:
  • Cream of Chicken Soup, Dry Au Jus Mix, Water: Combines to create a rich, creamy sauce that keeps meat moist during slow cooking.
  • Vegetable Oil: Provides fat for browning meat and prevents sticking in the skillet.

How to Make Salisbury Steak from Scratch

Step 1: Prepare The Meat Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, combine:
  • Ground beef
  • Italian seasoned bread crumbs
  • Dry onion soup mix

Mix ingredients thoroughly and shape into 8 oval-shaped patties. Ensure the mixture is well blended for consistent flavor.

Step 2: Coat The Patties

Spread all-purpose flour on a flat surface. Gently dredge each patty, covering completely and shaking off excess flour. The coating will help create a delicious golden exterior.

Step 3: Brown The Patties

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place patties in the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. This step develops rich flavor and creates a beautiful sear.

Step 4: Prepare Slow Cooker Sauce

In a separate bowl, whisk together:
  • Cream of chicken soup
  • Dry au jus mix
  • Water

Stir until the mixture is completely smooth and free of lumps.

Step 5: Slow Cook The Salisbury Steak

Transfer browned patties to the slow cooker. Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the patties. Cover and cook on low setting for 4-5 hours. The slow cooking process allows the meat to become tender and absorb the delicious sauce.

Step 6: Serve And Enjoy

Remove patties from the slow cooker and plate. Spoon additional creamy sauce over the top. Serve hot with your favorite side dishes like mashed potatoes or steamed vegetables.

Tips for Creamy Salisbury Steak Success

  • Meat Selection Matters: Choose ground beef with 80/20 fat content for juicier, more flavorful Salisbury steak patties that won't dry out during cooking.
  • Seasoning Boost: Crush the dry onion soup mix between your fingers before mixing to release more intense flavor and distribute evenly throughout the meat.
  • Flour Coating Technique: Shake off excess flour gently to create a light, even coating that helps develop a beautiful golden-brown crust when browning.
  • Slow Cooker Magic: Resist lifting the lid during cooking to maintain consistent temperature and prevent moisture loss from the patties.
  • Sauce Perfection: Whisk the cream of chicken soup and au jus mix thoroughly to eliminate any lumps and ensure a smooth, creamy sauce that clings beautifully to the meat.

Leftover Salisbury Steak Storage and Reheating

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover Salisbury steak in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the dish will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Freeze: Wrap individual patties in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen Salisbury steak will maintain quality for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat: Warm refrigerated steak in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water to prevent drying. Alternatively, microwave on 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly.

What to Serve with Salisbury Steak

  • Pair with Robust Red Wine: Choose a medium-bodied red wine like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon to complement the rich, hearty flavors of the Salisbury steak. The wine's tannins will cut through the creamy sauce and enhance the beef's savory profile.
  • Match with Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Serve alongside smooth, buttery mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce. The mild, comforting potato texture provides a perfect balance to the robust meat patties.
  • Crisp Green Side Salad: Add a fresh garden salad with a light vinaigrette to bring brightness and acidity to the meal. The crisp greens will help cleanse the palate between bites of the rich Salisbury steak.
  • Classic Steamed Vegetables: Include steamed broccoli or green beans as a nutritious side that adds color and provides a slight crunch against the tender meat and creamy sauce.

Salisbury Steak Flavor Variations You’ll Love

  • Spicy Southwest Salisbury Steak: Add diced green chilies, chili powder, and cumin to the ground beef mixture. Top with pepper jack cheese and serve with salsa.
  • Mediterranean Herb Patties: Incorporate crumbled feta, chopped fresh oregano, and minced garlic into the meat. Replace cream of chicken soup with a tomato-based sauce and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
  • Italian-Inspired Salisbury Steak: Mix in grated Parmesan cheese, dried basil, and minced sun-dried tomatoes. Use marinara sauce instead of cream sauce and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
  • Mushroom Lover's Version: Sauté sliced mushrooms with onions and add them directly to the slow cooker. Enhance the sauce with a splash of red wine and fresh thyme for deeper flavor complexity.
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Salisbury Steak with Creamy Sauce Recipe

Salisbury Steak with Creamy Sauce Recipe


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4.7 from 17 reviews

  • Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Hearty Salisbury steak brings classic American comfort to dinner tables with rich ground beef patties smothered in velvety mushroom gravy. Homestyle cooking meets restaurant-quality flavor, promising a satisfying meal that connects family and friends around one delicious plate.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 (1 ounce) envelope dry onion soup mix
  • 1 (1 ounce) packet dry au jus mix

Binding and Breading:

  • ½ cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour

Liquid and Cooking Ingredients:

  • 2 (10.5 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • ¾ cup water

Instructions

  1. Blend ground beef with seasoned bread crumbs and dry onion soup mix, forming 8 compact oval-shaped patties with gentle, consistent pressure.
  2. Lightly dust each meat patty with all-purpose flour, ensuring complete and even coverage by gently shaking off excess.
  3. Warm vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature, creating a hot cooking surface for searing.
  4. Carefully place floured patties into heated skillet, allowing golden-brown crust to develop on each side for approximately 3-4 minutes, creating rich caramelized exterior.
  5. Transfer beautifully browned patties into slow cooker, preparing for the braising process.
  6. Whisk cream of chicken soup with dry au jus mix and water until achieving a smooth, lump-free consistency.
  7. Pour creamy liquid mixture evenly over meat patties, ensuring complete coverage within slow cooker.
  8. Secure slow cooker lid and set temperature to low, allowing meat to tenderize and flavors to meld during 4-5 hour cooking duration.
  9. Once cooking cycle completes, verify patties are thoroughly cooked and sauce has developed rich, velvety texture.
  10. Gently transfer Salisbury steak patties onto serving plates, generously spooning accompanying creamy sauce over top before presenting.

Notes

  • Prep ahead by mixing ground beef, breadcrumbs, and onion soup mix to create flavorful meat patties quickly.
  • Dredging patties in flour creates a delicate golden crust that helps seal in moisture during cooking.
  • Brown patties first in a skillet to develop rich caramelized edges and enhance overall flavor profile.
  • Slow cooker method ensures tender, juicy meat that absorbs the creamy sauce without drying out.
  • Cream of chicken soup and au jus mix combine to create a luxurious, savory sauce that elevates the entire dish.
  • Perfect make-ahead meal that can be prepared in the morning and ready for dinner with minimal effort.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 hours
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 1200mg
  • Fat: 24g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14g
  • Trans Fat: 1g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 32g
  • Cholesterol: 95mg
Liam O'Brien

Liam O’Brien

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Traditional Irish Dishes
  • Farm-to-Table Cooking
  • Recipe Creation
  • Teaching Cooking Skills
  • Sustainable Food Practices

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (now Technological University Dublin)

  • Program: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in cooking techniques, kitchen management, and exploring both Irish and international cuisines.

Ballymaloe Cookery School, County Cork, Ireland

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Farm-to-table cooking, emphasizing the use of fresh, local ingredients and traditional cooking methods.

Liam O’Brien is the co-founder and kitchen soul behind Good Tasting Meals, a chef who believes that cooking shouldn’t feel stressful or complicated.

He earned his culinary stripes at Technological University Dublin and polished his farm-to-table skills at Ballymaloe Cookery School. With over 15 years flipping pans and stirring up stories, Liam has worked in family cafés, bustling bistros, and everything in between.

At Good Tasting Meals, Liam brings you recipes that feel like home: cozy, simple, and full of flavor.

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