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A Southern-style hug in meat form. Tender, savory, and swimming in the kind of gravy that practically begs for mashed potatoes.
You know those meals that just feel like “home”? This is one of ’em.
I still remember the first time I had Salisbury steak — it wasn’t fancy. It came on a divided plate with a side of instant potatoes and a plastic fork. But that gravy? That gravy stuck with me. I knew right then and there I needed to make a better version someday — and baby, this is it.
These are juicy, seasoned beef patties (kind of like meatloaf’s country cousin) slow-cooked in a rich, oniony gravy until they’re melt-in-your-mouth tender. This ain’t the TV dinner version — it’s made with love, and it shows.
Why You’ll Love This (Even If You’ve Never Been a Salisbury Fan)
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Comfort food at its best – warm, filling, and totally stick-to-your-ribs
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Set it and forget it – the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting
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Full of flavor – thanks to that soup mix and the au jus (trust the process)
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No fancy ingredients – just pantry staples and some ground beef
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Kid-friendly and freezer-friendly – it’s a win-win
What You’ll Need
Simple stuff. Good stuff. Nothing fussy.
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2 lbs lean ground beef – not too fatty, not too lean — 85/15 is perfect
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½ cup breadcrumbs – plain or seasoned, whatever you’ve got
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¼ cup milk – helps keep the patties moist and tender
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1 packet onion soup mix (1 oz) – gives a big boost of flavor
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½ teaspoon dried thyme – optional, but adds a lovely herby note
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¼ cup all-purpose flour – for dusting the patties before browning
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2 tablespoons olive oil – for the skillet
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1 white onion, sliced – sweet and soft after hours in the slow cooker
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2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup (10 oz each) – creamy, rich base
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¾ cup water – thins the sauce just enough
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1 packet au jus mix (1 oz) – savory and beefy, like gravy’s big brother
Let’s Make It – Step by Step
Step 1: Mix and shape the patties
Grab a big ol’ bowl and combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, onion soup mix, and thyme. Use clean hands (it’s the only way) and gently mix everything together until just combined.
Now shape the meat mixture into 8 oval-shaped patties — kind of like thick hamburgers, but longer. Don’t overwork the meat, or they’ll get tough.
Step 2: Dredge and brown
Sprinkle the flour on a plate and lightly coat each patty — this helps get that nice crust on the outside. Heat up your olive oil in a skillet over medium-high and brown the patties for about 2 minutes per side. Don’t worry about cooking them through — they’ll finish in the slow cooker. You’re just building flavor here.
Step 3: Layer it up
Place those sliced onions in the bottom of your slow cooker. Then layer the browned patties on top. It’s fine if you have to stack them a bit — just alternate so they’re not all on top of each other.
Step 4: Mix the magic sauce
In a bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, water, and au jus mix. It’s not pretty, but trust me — it cooks into the most velvety, rich gravy.
Pour that mixture all over the patties and onions.
Step 5: Let it cook
Cover the slow cooker and set it on low for 4 to 5 hours. When it’s done, the patties will be tender and the gravy will be thick and savory with sweet, caramelized onions floating all through it. It’s the kind of thing you want to ladle over absolutely everything.
What to Serve With It
Salisbury steak and gravy love a good side dish. Here are some ideas:
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Mashed potatoes (of course — you need something to catch all that gravy)
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Egg noodles or buttered rice
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Green beans or steamed broccoli to balance all the richness
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Dinner rolls — to swipe through the sauce after your plate’s “clean”
Leftovers & Storage Tips
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Fridge: Store in an airtight container up to 3–4 days.
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Freezer: These patties freeze like a dream — just cool completely and store with the gravy in a freezer-safe container. Use within 2 months.
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To reheat: Thaw in fridge overnight (if frozen), then warm gently on the stove or in the microwave. Add a splash of broth or water if needed to loosen up the gravy.
Just One Last Thing…
This recipe isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel — and that’s the beauty of it. It’s comforting, cozy, and it feels like something your grandma made when you came home from school with a bad day and needed a warm plate and a big ol’ hug.
Let me know if you give it a try. I’d love to hear if your family wiped their plates clean like mine always does. And if you added mushrooms or swapped in cream of mushroom soup — girl, tell me everything!
From one gravy-lovin’ kitchen to another,
Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
Ingredients
- 2 lbs lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 oz packet onion soup mix
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 white onion, sliced
- 2 10 oz cans condensed cream of chicken soup
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 oz packet au jus mix
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, onion soup mix, and dried thyme. Mix until just combined.
- Form the mixture into 8 equal-sized patties and set aside.
- Layer the sliced onions evenly on the bottom of a slow cooker.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dredge each patty lightly in flour and brown on both sides, working in batches if necessary.
- Place the browned patties on top of the onions in the slow cooker, stacking them slightly if needed.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, water, and au jus mix until smooth.
- Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the patties in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or until the beef is fully cooked and tender.
Notes