Smothered Hamburger Steak with Onion Gravy
Easy Smothered Hamburger Steak with Onion Gravy is a warm, hearty, and comforting dish featuring juicy hamburger patties simmered in a rich, savory onion gravy. Ready in under 30 minutes, this family-friendly recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes or steamed veggies for a satisfying meal any night of the week.
- Author: Nina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying and Simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with substitution)
For the Hamburger Steaks
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Oil or butter, for cooking
For the Onion Gravy
- 2 medium onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Prepare the Patties: Combine the ground beef with salt and pepper in a bowl. Form the mixture into four evenly sized patties, making a slight indentation in the center of each to ensure even cooking and to keep them juicy.
- Brown the Patties: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a little oil or butter. Cook the patties for about 4 minutes on each side until nicely browned but not fully cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Onions: Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet. Add sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until soft, golden, and caramelized, about 8-10 minutes.
- Make the Onion Gravy: Sprinkle flour over the caramelized onions and stir well to coat. Gradually add beef broth while stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Add Worcestershire sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer until gravy thickens to a luscious consistency.
- Finish Cooking the Patties: Return the browned patties to the skillet, spoon gravy over them, cover, and simmer for another 8-10 minutes until the patties are cooked through and have absorbed the gravy flavor.
Notes
- Don’t rush the onions: slow caramelization releases their natural sweetness, essential for rich gravy.
- Use a cast-iron skillet for a perfect sear on the patties and added flavor.
- Indent the patties to prevent them from puffing up and ensure even cooking.
- Thicken gravy gradually by adding beef broth in small amounts to avoid lumps.
- Let the steaks rest in the gravy for a few minutes before serving to maximize flavor absorption.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 patty with gravy
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: smothered hamburger steak, onion gravy, comfort food, quick dinner, family meal, ground beef recipe