Salisbury Steaks and Brown Gravy

Does anyone else have fond childhood memories of Salisbury steak TV dinners…

made in aluminum trays, actually baked in the oven?

We didn't care that they were terrible for us, we were too enamored by the novelty of them!

This was a go-to meal when there was a babysitter coming over.  

We often got to eat them, where else but in front of the TV!  On a TV tray!

Oh, life was so simple back then, when that was all it took to keep kids happy.

It has probably been 25 years since I had my last Salisbury steak, 

but again, the request came from the man of our house and I do my best to oblige, 

as he is a good sport with me and some of my crazy meal ideas.

So, made this a few weeks ago and I'd say that everyone was pleasantly surprised, including me.  

And now, my kids expect gravy more often too!

This paired fabulously with Creamy Smashed Potatoes and Cauliflower, 

which I will be making again soon too!  

Got started with 3# of ground beef, which was plenty for dinner and leftovers, which are always welcome in our house, so feel free to halve the recipe if that suits your family better. 

To that added 3 eggs, 3 tbsp worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper and 1 cup tomato sauce. 

Combined all that by hand, because it is easiest that way.  

Then added 1 cup oatmeal, to help bind up the meat and all of those flavors. 

Formed the ground beef mixture into 10-12 patties, almost like meatloaf burgers. 

Cooked them in a pan with canola oil for about 5 minutes per side over medium heat. 

They don't need to be cooked all of the way through because they will finish off in the gravy.  

As the patties were cooked, they were set aside, 

into the microwave to stay warm until the rest were finished.

While the patties were cooking, the gravy was started with 

2 cups of beef broth and 6 tbsp corn starch.  

Once the patties were all cooked, 

one medium chopped onion was added to the pan to get a head start on browning. 

Then, 2 more cups of broth were added to the pan along with 3/4 cup of tomato puree

for the start of the gravy. 

Mix it all together and bring it to a boil.  

Finally, add the broth and corn starch mixture. 

While stirring constantly, the gravy forms, quite quickly.  

The patties were added back to the gravy to finish cooking...

for just another 5 minutes or so.  

They were placed on a platter and served!  

Great comfort food for this dreary fall weather. 

RECIPE:

Ingredients:

3# of ground beef

3 eggs

3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1 cup tomato sauce

1 cup oatmeal

Canola oil

4 cups of beef broth - divided

6 tbsp corn starch

1 medium chopped onion

3/4 cup tomato puree

Directions:

• Combine well the eggs, Worcestershire, salt, pepper and tomato sauce with the ground beef. 
• Then, add the oatmeal as the binder. (Ha, did that make you laugh?)
• Form the meat mixture into patties and brown over medium heat in a pan with canola oil for about 5 minutes on each side.  Setting aside the done patties as you go.  
• While the patties are cooking, add 6 tbsp of corn starch with 2 cup of beef broth and whisk.  
• Once the patties are done, add one chopped onion to the pan for pre-browning.  
• Then, 2 cups of beef broth and 3/4 cup of tomato puree are stirred in as the start of the gravy. 
• Once boiling, add the broth and corn starch mixture. 
• Stir constantly while gravy forms, reduce heat to medium. 
• Add the patties back to the gravy for a final 5-10 minutes to finish them off before serving.