Hamburger Steak with Onion Gravy

Hamburger Steak with Onion Gravy turns regular ground beef into a tasty, comforting hug for your mouth. It’s a whole meal in one pan.

Hamburger steak with onion sauce

When you’re craving something meaty and rich, look no further than my hamburger steaks smothered in onion gravy. We’re talking ground beef patties seasoned with my signature Beef Rub, then pan-seared until crispy to perfection. And then to finish (literally) a rich onion sauce. So smooth, so, dare I say, luxurious, your taste buds won’t know what to do.

Now, I don’t want to blow your mind, but you can create this warm grandma hug in one gesture Iron pan. Yes, you can make this ridiculously comforting comfort food in just under an hour and feed the people you love. You are ready?

Ingredients for hamburger steak in glass bowls next to jar of Beef Rub.

Hamburger steak vs. Salisbury steak

Although hamburger steak and Salisbury steak are similar, they are not the same thing. Salisbury steaks have a softer texture and typically come with a brown sauce. This mixture results in a more tender, almost meatball-like patty, perfect for soaking up the sauce. If this sounds tasty to you, check out my recipe for Salisbury steak with mushroom sauce.

Now the hamburger steaks are more dense like meatloaf. After cooking you get a hearty and juicy meatball with a crispy outside. The breadcrumbs lighten things up enough that you won’t feel guilty about indulging. What all this means is that you can soak up that velvety onion gravy with every bite. Ultimately, it depends on what you’re in the mood for. I love it when I have a large group and want to make the most of the ground beef.

Gloved hands mixing beef mixture in glass bowl.

The best meat to use

I love using ground chuck with an 80/20 fat ratio for this recipe. It’s just the right amount of fat to render and mix with the seasoning for that amazing meaty flavor. If you choose a higher fat content, you may end up with soggy steaks. Going with too lean a ratio can leave you with dry meatballs. You can try different options if you want, but I find the 80/20 ratio works best for this recipe.

Prepared for Hamburger Steaks

Once you’ve selected the ground meat you want to use for this recipe, you’re ready to mix and form your meatballs. Take a large bowl and some rubber glovesand with this handful of ingredients you are ready to prepare perfect meatballs:

1 1/2 lbs ground meat 80/20
2 teaspoons Rub the beef
1 egg
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup bread crumbs

When it comes to mixing the meat for meatballs, it’s important not to overdo it. Mix gently with your hands until you obtain a homogeneous mixture and then form your meatballs. This way you will end up with juicy and tender burgers.

Wooden spoon stirring gravy in cast iron skillet.

Onion Sauce

No hamburger steak is complete without a generous ladle of flavorful, rich onion sauce. Here’s everything you need for a silky smooth gravy that smothers your tasty hamburger steaks:

4 tbsp butter
1 sliced yellow onion
4 cloves chopped garlic
1/4 cup All purpose flour
4 cups beef broth
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper (or more Rub the beef) taste

Hamburger steaks in onion sauce in cast iron skillet next to fork.

How to make a hamburger steak

Making a burger is easier than you think, and the result is a delicious, comforting meal that’s perfect for any night of the week. Follow these simple steps to create perfectly juicy hamburger steaks with rich, flavorful onion gravy:

Form meatballs. Mix the ground beef, Beef Rub, egg, milk and breadcrumbs in a large bowl until smooth. Don’t overwork your meat. You want to mix until your ingredients are incorporated, then form into 6 oval meatballs.
Sear the steaks. Preheat a 12 inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, then add the olive oil. Then add the meatballs and sear them for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown. You want to lock in all that robust flavor with a nice sear, so remove the patties and cover with aluminum foil.
Cook the onions. Melt the butter in the pan, scraping up the browned bits with a wooden spoon, then add the sliced onions and cook 4-5 minutes until translucent and golden. Add minced garlic, cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant. This is the part where the smell makes you want to start eating. Hang in there, you’re on the home stretch.
Prepare the sauce. Sprinkle in flour, then stir to coat onions and cook 1-2 minutes. Whisk in the beef broth and balsamic vinegar, scraping the pan again. Boil the sauce to the desired consistency, adding more broth if necessary. Season with Beef Rub or salt and pepper.
Combine and serve. Place the hamburger steaks in the skillet, then add the hot sauce on top. Serve with pan-fried potatoes and green beans for a complete family meal.

Hamburger steak on white plate with potatoes and green beans.

Other comfort food favorites

Once you’ve tasted how heavenly simple ground beef can be with the right ingredients, you’ll crave all kinds of unique and robust comfort foods. Here are some of my personal favorites to help you get started on your journey:

Easy hamburger steak recipe

Follow the recipe for tasty hamburger steaks covered in onion sauce, but be careful. Once your friends and family discover that you’re a ground beef wizard, you’ll always make this wallet-friendly dish. Check out the Hey Grill Hey app if you need something new to distract them.

And real quick before the comfort food coma starts to set in, don’t forget to follow our social media channels. We’re continually releasing new tasty recipes and helpful tips to take your BBQ game to the next level. You can find us on Youtube, InstagramAND Facebookand then you are free to take a nap.

Form meatballs. Mix the ground beef, Beef Rub, egg, milk and breadcrumbs in a bowl until smooth, then shape into 6 oval patties.

1 1/2 lb ground chuck, 2 teaspoons Hey Grill Hey Beef Rub, 1 egg, 1/4 cup milk, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Sear the steaks. Preheat a 12 inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and sear the meatballs 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove the meatballs, then cover with aluminum foil.

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Cook the onions. Melt the butter in the pan, scraping up any browned bits, then add the sliced onions and cook for 4-5 minutes until translucent and golden. Add minced garlic, cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

4 tablespoons of butter, 1 yellow onion, 4 cloves of garlic
Prepare the sauce. Sprinkle in flour, then stir to coat onions and cook 1-2 minutes. Whisk in the beef broth and balsamic vinegar, scraping the pan again. Boil the sauce to the desired consistency, adding more broth if necessary. Season with Beef Rub or salt and pepper.

1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 4 cups beef broth, 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper
Combine and serve. Place the hamburger steaks in the skillet, then add the hot gravy on top. Serve with roasted or mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables.

Nutrition information is calculated automatically, so should only be used as an approximation.