Tasty Slow Cooker Steak

This hearty slow cooker beef patty dish turns basic ground beef into a crowd-pleasing meal without much work. Juicy meat patties cook alongside mushrooms and onions in a thick, delicious gravy that gets better by the hour. I stumbled upon this crock pot technique when trying to cut down on cooking time and was surprised how this hands-free method actually beat the traditional stovetop approach.

When I whipped this up for my relatives last week, everyone wanted my recipe before we'd even finished eating. What's the trick? The low, slow cooking makes beef patties so tender they fall apart while the gravy soaks up all those amazing flavors.

Key Components and Smart Picking Advice

• Ground Beef: Go with leaner options (90/10 or 85/15) for best results
• Baby Portobello Mushrooms: Brings deep, woodsy flavor to your sauce
• Steak Seasoning: Grab it from the store or mix your own at home
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds that can't-miss meaty, savory kick
• Beef Broth: Creates the base for your thick, tasty gravy

All the good stuff happens during that slow cooking time, when the beef lets out its juices into the sauce while soaking up all the yummy mushroom, onion, and spice flavors.

Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

Step 1: Get Your Slow Cooker Ready

Give your slow cooker a quick spray with cooking spray. This helps stop sticking and makes washing up easier later. A 6-quart oval crock pot fits this dish perfectly.

Step 2: Set Down Your Veggies

Spread your thinly cut baby portobello mushrooms and onions across the bottom of your slow cooker. These veggies create a tasty foundation and keep the meat from sticking to the pot.

Step 3: Mix Your Meat Blend

In a big bowl, put together your ground beef, steak seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, dried onion flakes, dried parsley, breadcrumbs, and egg. Mix it all with your hands, but don't overwork it.

Step 4: Shape Your Patties

Make 6 oval-shaped patties, about 3/4-inch thick. The oval shape looks like classic Salisbury steak and cooks evenly throughout.

Step 5: Place In Your Cooker

Put the patties on top of your mushrooms and onions. A bit of overlap is fine, but try to keep them in one layer if you can.

Step 6: Make Your Gravy Base

Mix beef broth, cornstarch, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper in a bowl until the cornstarch totally dissolves. This stops any lumps from showing up in your gravy.

Step 7: Pour Over The Sauce

Pour your gravy mix over the patties, making sure some liquid touches all the meat.

Step 8: Let It Cook

Put the lid on and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Low usually gives more tender meat, but both ways work great.

Step 9: Test If It's Done

Your beef patties are ready when they hit 160°F inside and feel tender throughout. The gravy should be nice and thick by now.

Step 10: Time To Eat

Carefully move the patties to plates and spoon plenty of that mushroom-onion gravy on top. Serve with mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice to complete your meal.

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I found out how important it is to really mix the cornstarch well after my first try left little clumps in the gravy. Now I always whisk the gravy mix thoroughly before adding it to the pot.

Wallet-Friendly Dinner Ideas

This beef patty recipe shows how cheap cooking can still be delicious, feeding four people for under $15 total. Ground beef costs way less than fancy cuts, while mushrooms and onions bulk up the meal without emptying your wallet. The slow cooker turns these cheap ingredients into something that tastes like restaurant food, perfect for stretching your food budget without giving up flavor.

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Kid-Friendly Tweaks

If you've got picky eaters at home, this recipe is easy to change up. Kids don't like mushrooms? Chop them super tiny so they blend into the gravy but still add flavor. You can make smaller patties for little ones, and many kids prefer egg noodles over mashed potatoes as a side.

Veggie Sides For Every Season

This flexible main dish goes well with different veggies all year round. In summer, try fresh green beans or corn on the cob. Fall calls for roasted Brussels sprouts or butternut squash. Winter meals pair nicely with roasted root veggies. Spring brings asparagus or peas as perfect partners. Switching up these seasonal sides keeps meals interesting throughout the year while adding good nutrition.

Prep-Ahead and Freezing Options

For busy folks, this dish works great as a do-ahead meal. You can mix and form patties up to a day before and keep them in the fridge until you're ready to cook. Or freeze raw patties between wax paper for up to three months. Cooked patties and gravy freeze well too – just put them in sealed containers for up to two months, perfect for quick future dinners.

Expert Cooking Tricks

• Try adding a spoonful of tomato paste to your gravy for richer flavor
• A dash of red wine in the mix adds wonderful depth
• Cooking mushrooms first releases more flavor, but raw ones work fine if you're in a hurry
• For extra taste, quickly brown the patties before adding to the slow cooker
• Toss in some fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs for amazing smell and flavor

I learned these little improvements after making this dish many times - especially adding tomato paste, which makes the gravy taste amazing without making it taste like tomato sauce.

This simple slow cooker meal has become my go-to for busy days or when I have guests but don't want to spend all my time cooking. The mix of soft beef patties and rich, flavorful gravy creates something special - a dish that seems like it took hours of work but actually didn't.

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This slow cooker beef patty dish shows that comfort food can be simple and quick to make. With very little hands-on time but tons of flavor, it'll quickly become a regular part of your family dinner lineup.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make the Salisbury steak patties ahead of time?

Absolutely! Mix and shape your patties up to a day before and keep them in the fridge. This makes your morning setup even faster.

→ What can I substitute for breadcrumbs if I need a gluten-free option?

For folks avoiding gluten, try using gluten-free breadcrumbs, smashed gluten-free crackers, or some cooked and cooled quinoa to hold everything together.

→ Can I freeze these Salisbury steaks?

They freeze amazingly well! Just let them cool down completely, then pack the steaks with some of the gravy in sealed containers and freeze for up to 3 months. When you want them, thaw in your fridge overnight and warm up gently on the stove or in your microwave.

→ What's a good substitute for steak seasoning?

Don't have steak seasoning? Make your own by mixing 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/4 tsp salt, and a tiny bit of paprika and dried thyme.

→ Can I cook this on low instead of high in the slow cooker?

Sure thing! Cook it on low for 7-8 hours instead of high for 4 hours. This works great if you need to start cooking in the morning before heading out.