This hamburger steak recipe is your ticket to a comforting, family-favorite dinner, reminiscent of classic home-style cooking championed by figures like the Pioneer Woman. We’re taking simple hamburger steak to the next level, pan-frying it to perfection and smothering it in a rich, flavorful brown onion gravy. If you’re looking for hearty, satisfying “Hamburger Meat Recipes Pioneer Woman” style, you’ve come to the right place. Get ready to learn the chef-inspired secret to unbelievably juicy, restaurant-quality steak patties right in your own kitchen!
Serve this delectable hamburger steak and gravy over a generous helping of creamy mashed potatoes for the ultimate comfort food experience.
Close-up of Hamburger Steak with rich brown gravy and onions, served on a white plate.
This recipe is the ideal solution for those evenings when you crave something more exciting than a basic burger but desire a meal that’s still relaxed and easy to prepare, much like the wholesome recipes you might find from the Pioneer Woman. Ground beef is such a versatile ingredient, and this recipe transforms it into a dinner that the entire family will eagerly anticipate.
Having perfected this dish, I’m excited to share a chef-inspired secret for achieving incredibly juicy patties, ensuring you never have to endure dry, tough hamburger steak again! This approach differs slightly from preparing meatloaf, cube steak, or Salisbury steak, as the goal here is to truly highlight the “Hamburger” Steak essence. Let’s dive in and discover the secrets!
Hamburger Steak: A Homestyle Classic, Not Just Salisbury Steak
When exploring “hamburger meat recipes pioneer woman,” it’s essential to understand the distinction between hamburger steak and Salisbury steak.
Hamburger Steak, in its purest form, is crafted from simple ingredients, mirroring the components of a classic hamburger but served as a steak. In this recipe, we elevate it with a luscious gravy, traditionally served over mashed potatoes, embodying the hearty, no-fuss cooking style often associated with the Pioneer Woman. While traditionally served without a bun, you could certainly add one if you wish!
Salisbury Steak, on the other hand, often incorporates breadcrumbs, eggs as a binder, milk, and a medley of other ingredients, essentially creating an individual meatloaf patty. While also delicious, it leans away from the straightforward hamburger flavor profile. (If you enjoy variations, explore Salisbury Steak or Cube Steak recipes for your next meal!)
The Pioneer Woman’s Secret Weapon for Juicy Hamburger Steak: Shredded Butter
One of the most valuable tips for “hamburger meat recipes pioneer woman” style cooking is embracing simple yet impactful techniques. Incorporating butter directly into the hamburger meat is a chef-approved method to guarantee exceptionally juicy patties. As meat cooks, its proteins naturally tighten and expel moisture, which can lead to tough, dry results. However, when shredded butter is integrated into the patties, it steams as the meat cooks. This steaming action helps to retain the meat’s natural moisture, resulting in a tender and juicy hamburger steak, even if cooked to well-done. This is a game-changer, especially when aiming for that perfect Pioneer Woman-esque comfort food.
The key is to ensure the butter is in small, cold pieces, similar in size and temperature to the ground beef. The most effective way to achieve this is by shredding frozen butter. This simple step is your secret weapon for consistently juicy hamburger steaks, every single time!
Crafting Your Pioneer Woman Hamburger Steak: Step-by-Step
For precise ingredient measurements and comprehensive instructions, please refer to the recipe card located at the end of this post.
First, combine your hamburger steak ingredients and gently form them into oval-shaped steaks. Refrigerate these patties for 15 minutes to help them firm up. Just before cooking, season generously with salt and pepper.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Pan-fry the hamburger steaks for approximately 4 minutes per side, until beautifully browned. Remove from the skillet and set aside to rest.
Image showing hamburger steak patties, both raw and beautifully browned after pan-frying.
To create the rich onion gravy, add 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet. Sauté sliced onions until softened and golden. Introduce the brown gravy ingredients and stir to combine all the flavors. Bring the gravy to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cold water until smooth, and then whisk this slurry into the gravy to thicken it.
Image depicting onions caramelizing in a skillet, the base for a flavorful brown gravy.
Return the cooked hamburger steak patties to the skillet, nestling them into the onion gravy. Spoon the luscious onion gravy generously over the steaks. Cover the skillet and cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes, or until the steaks are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
As a final touch, swirl in the remaining 1 tablespoon of cold butter at the very end. This chef-inspired finishing technique enriches the gravy, giving it a velvety smooth texture and an extra layer of richness, perfect for a Pioneer Woman-style dish.
Serve your mouthwatering hamburger steak and gravy immediately over creamy mashed potatoes. Enjoy!
Image of finished Hamburger Steak in a skillet, smothered in brown onion gravy, ready to be served.
Pioneer Woman Pro Tips for Hamburger Steak Perfection
To truly master “hamburger meat recipes pioneer woman” style hamburger steak, keep these essential pro tips in mind:
- Avoid overmixing the meat. Gently combine the ingredients until just incorporated. Overworking the mixture will result in tougher steaks.
- Form firm, tight patties. This helps them hold their shape during cooking. Refrigerating the patties for 15 minutes beforehand also significantly aids in maintaining their form. Shape them slightly flatter than you might initially think, as they will plump up a bit as they cook.
- Mince onions finely for the patties. This ensures a smoother texture in the hamburger steak itself.
- Caramelize onions well for the gravy. The longer you cook the onions for the gravy, allowing them to caramelize beautifully, the deeper and more flavorful your gravy will become. Patience here pays off immensely!
- Use high-quality butter. For the best flavor and texture, opt for a high-quality butter, such as Cabot, in both the patties and the gravy.
Serving Suggestions for Your Pioneer Woman Hamburger Steak Feast
Your Pioneer Woman inspired hamburger steak and gravy is incredibly versatile when it comes to sides. While classic mashed potatoes are a must-have, consider these other delicious pairings to complete your hearty meal:
Hamburger Steak with Brown Gravy and Onions artfully plated on top of a mound of creamy mashed potatoes, showcasing a comforting and classic dinner.
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes: The quintessential partner.
- Garlic Roasted Green Beans: A simple and flavorful vegetable side.
- Buttered Corn: Another classic, family-friendly choice.
- Homemade Biscuits or Cornbread: For soaking up every last drop of that delicious gravy, embodying true Pioneer Woman comfort food.
- Side Salad: A fresh green salad can provide a nice contrast to the richness of the steak and gravy.
Storage and Reheating for Leftover Hamburger Steak
If you happen to have any leftover Pioneer Woman style hamburger steak (though it’s unlikely!), store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Ensure it’s cooled completely before freezing.
To reheat, gently warm the hamburger steak and gravy in a skillet over medium-low heat until heated through. You may need to add a splash of broth or water to thin the gravy slightly as it reheats. Microwaving is also an option, but skillet reheating will help maintain the best texture.
More Hearty Recipes to Explore
If you enjoyed this Pioneer Woman inspired hamburger steak recipe, you might also love these other comforting and satisfying dishes:
Image of Smothered Chicken coated in gravy and garnished with crispy bacon and parsley. Smothered Chicken
Image of Cube Steak with Brown Gravy and Onions served over mashed potatoes with a side of green beans. Cube Steak and Gravy
Image of Mushroom Chicken in a creamy sauce, garnished with fresh thyme. Mushroom Chicken
Image of One Pot Spaghetti in a rich meat sauce served on a white plate. One Pot Spaghetti
Image of creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta with spinach and chicken on a white plate. Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Image of Hamburger Gravy served over mashed potatoes on a plate with a side of green beans. Hamburger Gravy
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Pioneer Woman Hamburger Steak with Onion Gravy Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yields: 4 servings
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This Pioneer Woman Hamburger Steak recipe delivers pan-fried hamburger steaks smothered in a rich brown onion gravy. Discover the chef-inspired secret for ultra-juicy, restaurant-quality patties!
Ingredients
Hamburger Steaks
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef, 85% lean
- 4 Tablespoons frozen butter, shredded
- ½ cup yellow onion, very finely minced
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 3 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Gravy
- 2 yellow onions, sliced into ¾ inch strings
- 3 Tablespoons cold unsalted butter, divided
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup cold water
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
Prepare the Steaks
- Gently combine minced onions, shredded frozen butter, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and ground beef in a large bowl. Be careful not to overmix.
- Form the mixture into evenly sized oval steaks.
- Refrigerate the steaks for 15 minutes. While chilling, measure out the remaining ingredients for the recipe.
- Remove steaks from the refrigerator and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the seasoned steaks to the hot skillet and sear for 2-3 minutes per side, handling them gently to maintain their shape. Set aside the seared steaks.
Make the Gravy
- Reduce the skillet heat to medium-low.
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the same skillet.
- Add sliced onions and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until they become soft and start to caramelize, stirring occasionally.
- Pour in chicken broth, beef broth, onion powder, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Use a silicone spatula to scrape up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the skillet, incorporating them into the gravy.
- In a small bowl, whisk together cold water and cornstarch until completely smooth and combined, creating a slurry.
- Bring the gravy to a gentle boil, then slowly whisk in the cornstarch mixture. Continue whisking until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency. Reduce heat to medium-low to keep warm.
Finish the Dish
- Return the seared hamburger steaks to the skillet, nestling them into the rich onion gravy. Spoon gravy over the top of each steak.
- Cover the skillet and cook for an additional 10 minutes, or until the steaks are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- Swirl in the remaining 1 tablespoon of cold butter at the end. This finishing touch adds a velvety smoothness and extra richness to the gravy.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
- Serve hot over mashed potatoes or your favorite side dishes.
Recipe Notes
Delicious Variations:
- Bacon: Incorporate cooked and crumbled bacon into the hamburger meat mixture for a smoky flavor boost.
- Cheese: Top the cooked steaks with slices of Swiss cheese and allow it to melt under the gravy just before serving.
- Mushrooms: Add sliced mushrooms to the gravy while sautéing the onions for an earthy flavor.
- Creamier Gravy: For an even creamier gravy or to increase its volume, stir in a can of cream of mushroom soup at the end, along with a dollop of sour cream if desired.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 695kcal, Carbohydrates: 17g, Protein: 32g, Fat: 55g, Saturated Fat: 26g, Cholesterol: 173mg, Sodium: 753mg, Potassium: 711mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 612IU, Vitamin C: 11mg, Calcium: 70mg, Iron: 4mg
Did you try this Pioneer Woman Hamburger Steak recipe? Share your photos and tag @TheCozyCook on Instagram or use hashtag #thecozycook!
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Author: Stephanie
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Originally posted by Stephanie on September 30, 2020, Updated August 8, 2024
