Mouthwatering Crockpot Salisbury Steak is a great way to enjoy ground beef – and this recipe requires very little hands-on cooking time.
This Crockpot Salisbury steak recipe is easy, needs very little preparation time and is sure to become a fast family favorite – it’s the epitome of comfort food!
When it comes to whipping together a simple, delicious dinner any night of the week, the Crockpot easily reigns supreme and this recipe is proof of just that.
A few minutes assembling the Salisbury steak patties, a quick browning on each side in a skillet and a few hours in the crock pot result in one heck of a meal.
Why We Love This Crockpot Salisbury Steak Recipe
Do you often find yourself stuck for ideas when it comes to different ways to prepare ground beef? It’s affordable and accessible, but can get boring for sure.
It can be hard thinking of ways to make your ground beef dishes taste new and exciting — but Salisbury steak is an idea you may not yet have tried!
Salisbury steak can be made in the slow cooker or crock pot, in a cast iron skillet, in the oven on a sheet pan or any number of different ways if I’m honest.
This particular Crockpot Salisbury steak variation requires minimal hands-on cooking time and comes together in just a few minutes making it a real favorite.
A Brief History of Salisbury Steak
The name Salisbury steak is actually quite deceiving, because Salisbury steak isn’t technically steak. In fact, it is better defined as a fancy hamburger!
This classic recipe and delicious meal, which is traditionally complemented with creamy mashed potatoes and gravy, was named after James Henry Salisbury.
James was a doctor famous for his commentary on diet and nutrition.
He believed that American troops during the Civil War were being given the wrong foods and that what they really needed was protein – beef in particular.
Salisbury went on to test his ideas by providing chopped beef to the men, which he thought would be easier for them to digest than other sources of protein.
He even wrote a book believed to be one of the first publications linking good diet with good health and promoting the consumption of animal protein.
So, what is Salisbury steak? It is a seasoned ground beef patty made with breadcrumbs then cooked and served with a thick, rich gravy. You’ll love it, and will quickly understand why it’s one of our favorite recipes!
Crockpot Salisbury Steak Recipe
In order to make this easy Crockpot Salisbury steak recipe, you will need:
Ingredients
- Ground beef – Ground beef forms the basis of any true Salisbury steak recipe. 80/20 ground beef works the best for Salisbury steak.
- Breadcrumbs – You’ll find breadcrumbs in every Salisbury steak recipes as well. I opt for seasoned Italian breadcrumbs.
- Onion soup – Adding tons of flavor to the ground beef patties, I like to add a packet of French onion soup mix for ease and taste.
- Flour – Dredging each Salisbury steak in a bit of all-purpose flour before browning them is key to the incredible texture.
- Cream of chicken soup – Our secret to the rich, creamy, thick gravy in this Crockpot Salisbury steak recipe is canned cream of chicken soup.
- Au jus gravy mix – Keeping things as easy as can be, grab a packet of brown gravy mix. It makes this the easiest Crockpot recipe.
Some other recipes also call for beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and mushroom gravy to give the hamburger steaks as much flavor as possible, but this simplified approach is quicker and just as delicious!
Gear
- Mixing bowl
- Skillet
- Crockpot or slow cooker
Step 1. Add the ground beef, onion soup mix, breadcrumbs and milk in a large mixing bowl. Knead with your hands until everything is well combined.
Step 2. Using your hands, divide and form the meat mixture into eight patties.
Step 3. Heat a bit of oil in a skillet. While it is warming, dredge each Salisbury steak lightly in a bit of flour. Place them in the skillet and brown on one side.
Step 4. Flip the hamburger patties and brown on the second side. Remove from the heat.
Step 5. Spray your Crockpot with non-stick spray then transfer the Salisbury steak patties to the bottom of the slow cooker. Stack them in a pyramid shape.
Step 6. Add cream of chicken soup, a little water and au gus mix to a mixing bowl.
Step 7. Whisk everything together until smooth, thick and creamy.
Step 8. Pour the mixture over the Salisbury steaks in the Crockpot.
Step 9. Cook on low for four to five hours until cooked through and serve.
Cooking on medium-high heat will speed up the process, but we don’t find it to be as effective in creating the tender beef patties we desire. The longer, lower cook time is the best way to let the flavorful gravy and lean ground beef meld.
How To Serve Salisbury Steak
Widely considered a true classic comfort food, Salisbury Steak is usually served with mashed potatoes and gravy, or occasionally buttered egg noodles. Green beans are another popular choice for side dishes that require minimal prep work.
While boxed mashed potatoes take just minutes to whip up, nothing beats homemade mashed potatoes, which take less time than you’d think.
Simply boil potatoes of your choice (we love red potatoes) and mash with butter, milk, salt and pepper. Throw in chopped garlic and scallions for added flavor.
You can also add a dollop of ranch or a similar creamy dressing to heighten the flavor and develop your own favorite way of making mashed potatoes.
The Best Salisbury Steak Recipes
Over the years we’ve whipped up a number of different Salisbury steak recipes. Our homemade Salisbury steak recipe is an easy sheet pan recipe.
Once you know how to make Salisbury steak, cook it the way you like – our copycat Pioneer Woman Salisbury steak recipe is made in a cast iron skillet.
Another super easy version, our slow cooker Salisbury steak recipe, is our most popular recipe ever and the definition of a true crowd pleaser.
We know this easy Salisbury steak will be on your dinner table soon thanks to this delicious slow cooker recipe — be sure to save and print it for next time!
Crockpot Salisbury Steak
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Lean Ground Beef
- 1 package Onion Soup
- 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup Cold Milk
- 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil
- 2 cans Cream Of Chicken Soup (condensed)
- 1 serving Au Jus Gravy Mix (1 oz packet)
- 3/4 cup Water
Instructions
- With your hands, combine ground beef, onion soup mix, bread crumbs and milk in a large bowl. Shape 8 patties.
- Dredge the patties in flour on both sides to coat lightly.
- In a large skillet, heat oil; once heated, brown the patties on both sides.
- Place the patties into a crockpot; if yours is smaller, stack them in a pyramid shape.
- In a medium bowl, mix the cream of chicken soup, au jus mix and water. Pour over the patties and cook on low for 4-5 hours, until the patties are well done.