Easy Hamburger Steak with Creamy Mushroom Gravy

Whether you’re aiming to impress at your next dinner party or simply looking to treat yourself to a hearty meal after a long day, this recipe has got you covered. It’s the perfect blend of simplicity and deliciousness, designed to deliver big flavors with minimal fuss. 

Want more delicious beef recipes to try out?  If you loved this recipe, and you’d like some more beef recipes, you could go with a Irish inspired ground beef stew. Or for Mexican nightm make some easy beef enchiladas.

Looking for more burger inspired recipes? Why not make some easy cheeseburger sliders for lunch?

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s a comfort food classic: There’s nothing like a warm, savory hamburger steak smothered in rich mushroom gravy to make you feel right at home.
• Versatility on your dinner table: This recipe can be dressed up for a fancy dinner or kept simple for a comforting weeknight meal.
• Budget-friendly ingredients: You don’t have to break the bank to enjoy a gourmet-tasting dish; this recipe leverages everyday ingredients for an extraordinary result.
• Quick and easy prep: With straightforward steps and simple ingredients, you’ll have a delicious meal on the table in no time.

What Is Hamburger Steak?

Hamburger steak is like the fancy cousin of a regular hamburger patty, taking that basic beef patty to the next level, pretty much making it steak-like but still ground up and seasoned. It’s all about that minced beef goodness, mixing the deep, rich taste of a steak with the comforting, familiar vibes of a hamburger. The mix usually throws together ground beef, onions, garlic, breadcrumbs, and a bunch of spices, then shapes it into oval or round steaks that get pan-fried or grilled just right. 

Unlike your typical hamburger served in buns with toppings, hamburger steak comes on a plate swimming in gravy—especially that killer creamy mushroom gravy that nails it with the beefy flavors. This dish is a big deal in the Southern U.S. but has fans all over the globe for its tasty flavors and easy, budget-friendly ingredients.

What’s in This Hamburger Steak With Mushroom Gravy Recipe?

For the hamburger steaks:

• Ground beef: The foundation of hamburger steak, ground beef brings a juicy, rich flavor to the dish. Opt for a mix with a bit of fat to ensure tenderness.
• Breadcrumbs: help bind the mixture together, giving the steaks a perfect texture and retaining moisture.
• Large egg: Acts as a binder, keeping the hamburger steaks formed and intact during cooking.
• Sweet onion: Provides a subtle sweetness that complements the savory beef flavor, enhancing the overall taste.
• Garlic: Adds a punch of aroma and depth to the steaks, providing that classic, irresistible flavor.
• Stoneground or yellow mustard: Offers a tangy kick that cuts through the richness of the beef, adding layers to the flavor profile.
• Worcestershire sauce: This fermented condiment brings a complex, umami-packed taste that elevates the meat to gourmet levels.
• Salt: Essential for seasoning, salt intensifies all the other flavors in the steak.
• Black pepper: Adds a slight heat and spiciness, rounding out the savory notes of the dish.
• Paprika: Contributes a smoky undertone, a hint of sweetness, and a vibrant color.
• Avocado oil: With a high smoke point, it’s perfect for frying and adds a subtle, buttery richness.

For the mushroom gravy:

• Unsalted butter: Forms the base of the gravy, adding richness and a silky texture.
• White button mushrooms: Key to the gravy’s earthy flavor, these mushrooms add body and soak up the sauce’s flavors beautifully.
• Sweet onion: Mirroring its role in the steaks, onion in the gravy adds sweetness, balancing the robust mushroom and beef flavors.
• Garlic: Intensifies the gravy with a bold aroma and deep flavor, harmonizing with the mushrooms.
• All-purpose flour: Thickens the gravy, ensuring a lush, velvety consistency that coats the steaks just right.
• Beef broth: Enriches the gravy with a concentrated beefy taste, tying the mushroom and meat flavors together.
• Half and half: Adds a creamy texture and a hint of decadence to the mushroom gravy, making it truly indulgent.
• Fresh parsley: Introduces a pop of freshness and color, providing a light contrast to the dish’s rich flavors.
• Salt and pepper: Fine-tune the gravy’s seasoning, accentuating its complex layers of flavor.

Substitutions And Variations

• Ground beef substitution: If you’re looking for a lighter option, ground turkey or chicken can be used in place of beef for the hamburger steaks. Remember that these proteins have less fat, so you might need to add more oil or egg to keep the mixture moist.
• Breadcrumbs: For a gluten-free version, try using almond flour or crushed pork rinds instead of traditional breadcrumbs to bind the steaks.
• Dairy-free gravy: Swap out the butter and half and half in the mushroom gravy for plant-based alternatives. Coconut cream works wonderfully for a rich, dairy-free gravy texture.
• Mushroom alternatives: Not a fan of white button mushrooms? Portobello, cremini, or even a mix of wild mushrooms can offer a deeper flavor profile to the gravy.
• Herbs and spices: For an extra layer of flavor, feel free to incorporate additional herbs such as thyme or rosemary into the hamburger steaks and the gravy. A splash of red wine in the gravy can also add depth.
• Serving suggestion: While traditionally served with mashed potatoes or rice, consider a cauliflower mash or a steamed vegetable for a low-carb option.

How to Make This Hamburger Steak Recipe (step-by-step directions)

Hamburger Steaks Instructions:

1. Combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings in a large mixing bowl. Mix until evenly combined, avoiding over-mixing. (Photos 1 & 2)
2. Form the meat mixture into about 8 hamburger patties, each about 1 inch thick. (Photo 3)
3. Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Then, sear the ground beef patties on each side for 3-4 minutes until dark brown. Cook in batches if necessary, and transfer the cooked patties to a plate. (Photo 4)

Mushroom Gravy Instructions:

1. Reduce heat to medium, melt 3 tablespoons of butter in the skillet, and add mushrooms. Coat mushrooms in butter and brown for 3-4 minutes before stirring. (Photo 5)
2. Add onions and garlic, cooking for 1-2 minutes until onions soften and garlic is fragrant. Transfer to a plate and set aside. (Photo 6)
3. In the same skillet, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter. Stir in flour to coat, then gradually add beef broth, deglazing the pan by scraping browned bits from the bottom. Stir until smooth. (Photo 7)
4. Stir in half and half, and cook gravy for 3-5 minutes until it reaches the desired thickness, stirring occasionally. (Photo 8)

1. Remove from heat, stir in chopped parsley, salt, and pepper, adjusting seasonings as needed. (Photo 9)
2. Return the cooked mushrooms to the pan, stirring to coat in the gravy. Heat for an additional 1-2 minutes to reheat. (Photo 10)
3. Pour into a big gravy boat or bowl and ladle over hamburger steaks and mashed potatoes. Add extra fresh parsley for garnish if you like. (Photo 11)

Recipe Tips

• To prevent a tough or chewy texture, avoid overmixing the ground beef. Mix just until the ingredients are evenly combined.
• Adding an egg is optional but can help the patties hold together better.
• The gravy is quite flavorful, so there’s no need to heavily season the beef. Adjust seasoning in both meat and gravy as per your preference.
• For a richer gravy, feel free to add more half and half.
• If the gravy is too thin, continue cooking on a low simmer while whisking often until it reaches your desired thickness.
• Keep in mind that the gravy will thicken further upon cooling.
• Should the gravy become too thick, whisk in some beef broth or water to thin it out to your liking.

Storing Tips 

To achieve optimal results, it’s best to store the leftovers separately. This allows you to reheat the patties to a crisp finish and then add the warm gravy on top. Storing them together will result in soft patties (which are still tasty!).

Ensure everything is fully cooled before placing it in an airtight container for storage in the refrigerator. The patties and gravy can be kept in the fridge for 3-5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Serving Suggestions

Whipping up this tasty hamburger steak with mushroom gravy recipe means you have loads of side dish options to suit different diets and bump up the whole meal vibe. Check out these pairings:

• Mashed Potatoes: A classic side that complements the rich gravy, providing a creamy texture that meshes well with the savory patties. Or take it one step further with some Air Fryer mashed potato bites.
• Steamed Green Beans: For a lighter side, crisp steamed green beans add a pop of color and a crunchy texture, offering a fresh contrast to the dish.
• Roasted Carrots: Their natural sweetness and caramelized edges make roasted carrots an excellent accompaniment to the savory flavors of hamburger steak and gravy. Another alternative could be roasted Brussels Sprouts.
• Cauliflower Mash: A low-carb alternative to traditional mashed potatoes, cauliflower mash is creamy and pairs beautifully with the mushroom gravy.
• Baked Sweet Potatoes: Offering a slightly sweet profile, baked sweet potatoes can balance the hearty and savory notes of the main dish.
• Buttered Corn on the Cob: Corn on the cob, especially when buttered, adds a sweet and juicy component that complements the richness of the gravy and burger steaks. Or make some elote corn salad for a spicier option.

Recipe FAQs

Need More Ground Beef Recipes? Try These:

• Easy Beef Enchiladas
• Easy Sloppy Joe Beef Casserole Recipe
• Irish Inspired Ground Beef Stew
• Easy Tex Mex Sliders
• Albondigas Mexican Meatball Soup
• See all our main dish recipes!