The Best Easy Weeknight Salisbury Steak

Salisbury steak—that classic American knife-and-fork ground beef dish is more than just a bun-less burger.

The dish has been a mainstay on American tables since the late 1800s, when it was invented by doctor (and meat enthusiast) James Salisbury. It's delicious, easy to make, and oh-so comforting.

What's the difference between Salisbury steak and hamburger steak?

Ground beef patties cooked up like steak had been popularized in the city of Hamburg, Germany, since at least the 1600s. Germans migrating to America brought the dish over (along with a very smooth sausage from the town of Frankfurt) in the 1800s, where they eventually put it in a bun and started selling it as a sandwich.

A hamburger steak is still, basically, any ground beef that is cooked and served like a steak. But James Salisbury was, dare we say, the genius who called for seasoning the meat with Worcestershire and mustard. And the dish named after him is always served with a rich brown gravy, typically with mushrooms.

What's the difference between Salisbury steak and meatloaf?

You might look at the ingredients in this dish—beef, bread crumbs, egg, ketchup, Worcestershire—and see a strong resemblance to a classic meatloaf dish. That's not wrong. 

The two share a lot in common, including a German heritage. But meatloaf is, of course, made to serve a larger group, and is typically baked, not pan-seared. And meatloaf is typically not served with Salisbury's distinctively delicious sauce.

Is Salisbury steak difficult to make?

One of our favorite things about this budget-friendly meat-and-potatoes meal, aside from how satisfying it tastes, is how easy it is to make. As with a hamburger, the only think you want to really avoid is overworking the meat, which can cause it to become tough. When forming patties, try to keep them mostly loose, and don't pack the meat together.

What goes well with Salisbury Steak?

As with most meat or protein-based meals, you can serve Salisbury steak with a wide variety of vegetable side dishes, including salads, potatoes, corn, beans, and more. However, we typically like to keep it classic with steamed peas and a side of freshly mashed potatoes.

How do you store leftover Salisbury steak, and how do you reheat it?

Once cooked, Salisbury steak can be stored and reheated much the way you would a steak or a burger. Leftovers will keep up to 3 days in the fridge, or can be frozen. When ready, you can reheat them in the microwave, in a pan set over medium heat, or even warmed up in an oven.

Made this recipe? Let us know what you think in the comments, below!