Ree Drummond’s Salisbury Steak: A Pioneer Woman Recipe for Family Comfort

Growing up, dinner was a pretty predictable affair in my house. Meat and potatoes were staples, and peeling potatoes was a nightly ritual I knew all too well. Mashing them up and adding butter and milk was my contribution to the family meal. The highlight of our culinary week was takeout Chinese food – Chicken Chop Suey and fried rice were a special treat, and a welcome break from potato peeling duties!

Fast forward to adulthood, and I found myself married to someone who’s incredibly talented in the kitchen, especially when it comes to Chinese cooking! He’s taught me so much about stir-frying and different flavors. Mashed potatoes every night? Not so much anymore!

But last night, I felt a nostalgic pull towards those classic, comforting flavors of my childhood. While browsing Pinterest with my husband, searching for dinner inspiration, I stumbled upon a Salisbury Steak recipe from Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman. Knowing Ree’s reputation for delicious, family-friendly food, I knew this recipe had to be a winner.

Salisbury Steak Patties Ready to be Fried

Pioneer Woman Salisbury Steak Recipe: A Taste of Home

This Salisbury Steak recipe, adapted from Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman, is a hearty and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a comforting family meal. It’s a simple recipe that brings together the savory taste of ground beef patties smothered in a rich, flavorful gravy. Here’s how to make this Pioneer Woman Salisbury Steak:

Ingredients:

For the Meat Mixture:

• 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 2 teaspoons dry mustard
• 4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• 1 beef bouillon cube, crumbled (or powdered beef base)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Gravy:

• 1 whole onion, halved and thinly sliced (or diced)
• 2 cups beef broth, plus more if needed
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 teaspoon seasoning sauce, such as Kitchen Bouquet (optional, for richer color and flavor)
• 4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thicker gravy)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Meat Patties: In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, ketchup, dry mustard, Worcestershire sauce, crumbled bouillon cube, salt, and pepper. Knead the mixture until everything is well combined.
2. Shape the Patties: Form the meat mixture into 4 to 6 oval patties. To give them a classic Salisbury Steak look, make shallow lines across the top of each patty with the back of a knife.
3. 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 center. Remove the patties from the skillet and set aside. Pour off any excess grease from the skillet.
4. Make the Gravy: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the sliced onions to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are golden brown and softened, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Build the Gravy Flavor: Pour in the beef broth, ketchup, seasoning sauce (if using), and Worcestershire sauce. If you prefer a thicker gravy, whisk the cornstarch with a tablespoon or two of cold beef broth to create a slurry, and then add it to the skillet.
6. Simmer and Thicken: Stir the gravy and bring it to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the gravy has slightly reduced and thickened to your desired consistency. Season the gravy with salt and pepper to taste, and add more beef broth if needed to thin it out.
7. Combine Patties and Gravy: 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 few minutes to heat through and absorb the flavors of the gravy.

Salisbury Steak Patties in Gravy in Skillet

Serving Suggestions for Pioneer Woman Salisbury Steak

We served our Pioneer Woman Salisbury Steak with creamy mashed potatoes, enhanced with sour cream, cheddar cheese, milk, and fresh green onions – a truly comforting side dish that perfectly complements the savory steak and gravy. We also added a side of peas and onions for a touch of green.

Salisbury Steak and Mashed Potatoes on Plates

Salisbury Steak, Mashed Potatoes and Peas and Onions on Plates

Close up of Salisbury Steak with Gravy

One of the best parts of making this meal was getting my daughters involved in the kitchen. Teaching them how to peel, mash, and serve potatoes brought back so many memories of my own childhood kitchen duties. Life truly does come full circle!

Salisbury Steak Patties Ready to be Fried

This Pioneer Woman Salisbury Steak recipe is a fantastic way to bring classic comfort food to your family table. It’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Give Ree Drummond’s Salisbury Steak a try for a taste of home-style goodness!