Growing up, dinner in my family was a pretty predictable affair, centered around good old meat and potatoes. As a kid, peeling potatoes every single night was my dinner duty. Mashed potatoes were a staple, and while I loved them, the occasional Chinese takeout, especially Chicken Chop Suey and fried rice, felt like the ultimate treat – no potato peeling required!
Fast forward to adulthood, and life took a delicious turn when I married someone who truly knows his way around a kitchen, especially when it comes to Chinese cooking. Stir-fries became a regular part of our meals, and mashed potatoes took a backseat. But recently, I felt a pull back to those comforting, classic flavors of my childhood.
While browsing Pinterest for dinner inspiration, I stumbled upon a Salisbury Steak recipe from Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman. Knowing her reputation for delicious, approachable comfort food, I knew this recipe had to be a winner. And it was!
Ree Drummond’s Salisbury Steak Recipe: Ingredients and Instructions
This Pioneer Woman Salisbury Steak Recipe is surprisingly simple to make and delivers incredible flavor. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner when you crave something hearty and satisfying. Here’s what you’ll need:
Meat Mixture:
- 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1 Tbsp ketchup
- 2 tsp dry mustard
- 4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cube beef bouillon, crumbled (or powdered beef base)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
Gravy:
- 1 whole onion, halved and thinly sliced (or diced)
- 2 cups beef broth, plus more for thinning if needed
- 1 Tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp seasoning sauce, such as Kitchen Bouquet (optional, for richer color and flavor)
- 4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening gravy)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Guide to Pioneer Woman Salisbury Steak
Let’s break down how to make this delicious Pioneer Woman Salisbury Steak:
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Prepare the Meat Patties: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, ketchup, dry mustard, Worcestershire sauce, crumbled beef bouillon, salt, and pepper. Knead the mixture until everything is well combined. Form the mixture into 4-6 oval patties, and then create shallow lines across the top of each patty to give them a classic “steak” appearance.
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Fry the Patties: Heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the Salisbury steak patties on both sides until they are nicely browned and cooked through, with no pink remaining in the middle. Remove the patties from the skillet and set aside. Pour off any excess grease from the skillet.
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Make the Rich Onion Gravy: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the sliced onions to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until they become golden brown and softened, which should take several minutes. Pour in the beef broth, ketchup, seasoning sauce (if using), and Worcestershire sauce. In a small dish, whisk together the cornstarch with a tablespoon or two of beef broth until smooth. If you prefer a thicker gravy, add the cornstarch mixture to the skillet. Stir well and cook, allowing the gravy to reduce and thicken slightly.
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Combine and Simmer: Season the gravy with salt and pepper to taste. If the gravy is too thick, add a little more beef broth to reach your desired consistency. Return the cooked Salisbury steak patties to the skillet with the gravy. Spoon the gravy generously over the patties, and let them simmer gently for a couple of minutes to heat through and absorb the flavorful gravy.
Serving Suggestions for Salisbury Steak
We served this comforting Pioneer Woman Salisbury Steak with creamy mashed potatoes enriched with sour cream, cheddar cheese, milk, and fresh green onions. It was the perfect pairing! We also added a side of peas and onions for a complete and balanced family meal. It was a fun experience involving my daughters in peeling, mashing, and serving the potatoes – a sweet full-circle moment, bringing back memories of my own childhood kitchen duties.
This Pioneer Woman Salisbury Steak recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s a comforting, flavorful dish that’s perfect for family dinners and brings a touch of nostalgic warmth to your table. Give it a try and bring some classic comfort food to your next meal!