If your only experience with Salisbury steak comes from an old-school TV dinner or a greasy spoon dinner, it’s time to get a new perspective on it. My version features melt-in-your-mouth beef, smothered and covered in sauteed onions and gravy.
Not really a steak, Salisbury steak is simply ground meat shaped to resemble a steak. The good part is that you don’t have to worry about bones or grizzle, each bite is as tender and juicy as a steak and absorbs the juices and gravy very well.
My friend Paul actually recommended the Salisbury steak to me because I had always thought it was just a low quality version of a steak I only remembered from TV dinners as a kid. Not the best introduction to a dish that can be super tasty if prepared right. After trying it, I had to come up with my own version, one that was completely Paleo friendly.
Obviously it wasn’t necessary to replace the minced meat, but we had to lose the breadcrumbs present in most recipes. It’s funny how much you can eliminate without changing the overall flavor of the meal when you update a traditional recipe.
Since Salisbury steak is often served alongside a side of mashed potatoes, it’s best to serve it with a side of cauliflower puree to achieve the same effect. There’s something about the softness of mashed cauliflower that pairs well with the tenderness of steak, it just works, so why mess with a classic?
But of course you don’t have to go with cauliflower puree, and this dish lends itself well to any veggie side you can imagine.
One thing you’re sure to love about this meal is how easy it is to get it on the table. It’s one of those meals where you don’t have to worry too much about getting it right, because it’s hard to get wrong. If you overcook the steak, it will still taste great, unlike a real steak where if you miss the preferred doneness you may not enjoy it as much.
If you’re like me you’re always looking for easy to prepare meals that everyone can agree on. The beefy nature of this meal, the fact that it’s a cross between a burger and a steak, means it appeals to both kids and adults. If you’re serving this to kids, try skipping the sautéed onions and gravy and serve it with a little Paleo ketchup, meatloaf style.
This has entered our regular weekly rotation and is now Salisbury Sunday, unless something else happens. I hope you enjoy it as much as our family enjoys it.
