Pirates Pantry

Plundering the seven seas for grub worth preserving

Classic Salisbury Steak with Mushroom-Onion Gravy

main-dishstovetopmake-aheadcomfort-foodamerican

Prep
20 min
Cook
25 min
Total
2 hours 45 min
Servings
4

For the Steak Patties

Refrigeration helps the patties hold their shape and improves flavor

Ingredients

  • 1 pound 85% Lean Ground Beef
  • ½ teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Dry Mustard
  • 2 tablespoons Ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Soy Sauce
  • 1 large Egg, Beaten
  • 1 pinch Cayenne Pepper (Or To Taste)
  • ½ cup Plain Bread Crumbs
  • 1 teaspoon Salt, For Seasoning Patties

Instructions

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, pepper, mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire, soy sauce, egg, cayenne, and bread crumbs.
  2. Mix thoroughly using a fork or hands until evenly distributed.
  3. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
  4. After chilling, divide mixture into 4 equal portions.
  5. Moisten hands and shape into oval patties, about 1/2 inch thick.
  6. Lightly season both sides of each patty with salt.

Prep: 10 min • Cook: 10 min • Wait: 2 hours

For the Mushroom-Onion Gravy

Scrape up browned bits for a rich, savory depth

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons Salted Butter
  • 12 large White Button Mushrooms, Sliced
  • 1 cup Diced Onion
  • 1 pinch Salt
  • 2 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
  • 2 tablespoons Ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 3 cups High-Quality Low-Sodium Beef Broth
  • 1 teaspoon Salt, To Taste

Instructions

  1. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large nonstick pan over high heat.
  2. Add mushrooms, onions, and a pinch of salt; sauté 5–8 minutes until deeply browned.
  3. Reduce heat to medium and stir in flour; cook for 3 minutes.
  4. Add ketchup, Worcestershire, and beef broth; increase heat to high.
  5. Bring to a simmer, then reduce to medium and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
  6. Taste and adjust salt as needed.
  7. Transfer gravy to a glass measuring cup and scrape pan clean.

Prep: 10 min • Cook: 15 min • Wait: No time

Final Assembly

Ingredients

  • 4 patties Prepared Steak Patties
  • 1 batch Reserved Mushroom-Onion Gravy
  • 2 tablespoons Salted Butter

Instructions

  1. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in the same pan over medium-high heat.
  2. Add steak patties and cook 2–3 minutes per side until browned.
  3. Pour in reserved gravy and bring to a simmer.
  4. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes, until gravy is hot and patties are cooked through.
  5. Serve patties topped with generous spoonfuls of gravy.

Notes

A hearty dish with old-world charm—these savory steaks swim in a rich gravy worthy of any captain’s supper. Keeps well in the ship’s stores for up to 3 days. For a deeper voyage, serve over mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles.