Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak


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Cooking Salisbury steak in the crock pot creates a tender dish that has plenty of onion and mushroom gravy. It goes great with mashed potatoes and is sure to become a family favorite.

We love classic recipes like this one in the slow cooker. We also make slow cooker tater tot casserole and hot roast beef sandwiches often.

Salisbury steak patties in a slow cooker with gravy, onions and mushrooms.
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Why this slow cooker salisbury steak recipe works

When you’re looking to switch things up from the traditional casserole dish, this classic recipe is one to try. It takes the guesswork out of what to put on the dinner table and thanks to the slow cooker, it’s a comfort food that doesn’t take much effort. If you don’t feel like making the hamburger patties, try my slow cooker cube steak recipe which has similar flavors.

Rich gravy is easily created from just a few ingredients while tender beef patties are first browned before being added into the crock pot. I love how this meal turns out and the flavors are delicious every time. The next time you’re looking for a new way to cook beef patties, try this version of crock pot hamburger steaks.

Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients for salsibury steak on a table with text labels.
  • Ground Beef – I suggest using lean ground beef with no more than 7% fat. Although they are precooked a bit, this will still prevent from lots of fat getting into the overall casserole dish.
  • Crackers – Ritz or Saltines are fine to use in this salisbury steak recipe. This is the same crackers I use in my slow cooker meatloaf.
  • Egg – This is used to help bind the beef mixture together.
  • Milk – Just a bit of liquid to help keep the beef patties moist.
  • Seasonings – Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and oregano are the perfect combination of seasonings for the Salisbury steaks.
  • Vegetables – Every delicious recipe for hamburger steak has mushrooms and onions.
  • Gravy – For a thick gravy I use cream of mushroom soup, gravy mix packets, and water (less than what the packages call for). I also add thyme for added flavor. Do not use beef broth for it will make the gravy too salty.

Step-by-Step Directions

Four images showing how to make salisbury steak in a slow cooker.

Step One – In a large bowl add the hamburger patty ingredients, which are ground beef, crushed crackers, egg, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and oregano.

Step Two – Mix together with clean hands and form the meat mixture into 4 patties.

Step Three – In a large skillet set over medium-high heat, add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan. When the oil and pan are hot add the patties, cook until golden brown on both sides. No need to let the patties cook through.

Step Four – In another large bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, gravy packets, water and thyme until smooth to make brown gravy. Set aside.

Four more images showing how to finish making salisbury steak in a slow cooker.

Step Five – Add half of the sliced mushrooms and sliced onions to the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the patties on top.

Step Six – Add remaining onions and mushrooms on top of the ground beef patties.

Step Seven – Pour over the brown gravy mix.

Step Eight – Cover and cook on LOW for 4.5 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time. Serve and enjoy!

cooked salisbury steak in a slow cooker with a spoon in it.

What goes well with this Crockpot Salisbury Steak recipe?

  • For a comfort food like this, you can’t go wrong with hearty sides like mashed potatoes, steamed white rice or buttered egg noodles (all these options are great for serving that onion gravy over). Another option is slow cooker macaroni and cheese.
  • For a lighter option, consider steamed broccoli, green beans, sauteed carrots, or a fresh side salad.
  • Buttered dinner rolls, cornbread, or regular sandwich bread make great gravy dippers.
Plate of Salisbury steak over mashed potatoes.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use ground turkey?

Yes! Use ground turkey or ground chicken instead of beef and also change the gravy packets to chicken or turkey.

Is it best to use fresh mushrooms in this recipe?

Yes. I recommend buying them fresh either whole and you slice them or you can purchase fresh mushrooms pre-sliced or use canned mushrooms if that’s what you prefer.

Should I make a cornstarch slurry?

The gravy ingredients will be enough to create a nice and rich gravy. Though, if for some reason your gravy isn’t not thick enough to your liking you can make a cornstarch slurry, add it to the gravy and cook for 20-30 minutes longer.

How do I store leftovers?

Place any remaining Salisbury steak patties, mushrooms and onions in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

What can I use if I don’t have crackers?

You can use panko breadcrumbs instead or store-bought premade bread crumbs.

salisbury steak on a plate over mashed potatoes.
salsibury steak patties in a slow cooker with gravy and onions.

Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak

4.64 from 25 votes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Tender homemade beef patties in an onion gravy. Great with mashed potatoes.

How to Video

Ingredients 
 

For the patties

  • 1 lb. ground beef, 7% fat
  • ½ cup crushed crackers, I use Ritz, but saltines work great too
  • 1 egg
  • 2 Tbsp. milk
  • tsp. salt
  • ¼ tsp. pepper
  • ¼ tsp. garlic powder
  • ½ tsp. dried oregano
  • 2 Tbsp. cooking oil, (for browning the patties)

For the gravy mixture

  • 10.5 oz. can cream of mushroom soup, I use roasted garlic variety
  • 1.74 oz. brown gravy mix, (two .87-oz. packets)
  • cup water
  • ½ tsp. dried thyme

Veggies:

  • 2 cups sliced mushrooms
  • 1 white onion, sliced

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl add the ground beef, crushed crackers, egg, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder and oregano. Mix together with clean hands, don’t over mix. Form the meat into 4 patties. Set aside.
  • In another large bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, gravy packets, water and thyme until smooth. Set aside.
  • In a large skillet set over medium-high heat, add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan. When the oil and pan are hot add the patties, brown on both sides. No need to cook through.
  • Add half of the mushrooms and onions to the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the patties on top. Add remaining onions and mushrooms on top of the patties. Pour over gravy mixture.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 4.5 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Sarah’s Notes

  • You can use ground chicken or ground turkey. If you choose to change the meat, change the gravy packet flavor as well
  • If you do not have Ritz crackers you can use crushed saltines, panko bread crumbs or classic dry bread crumbs.
  • My favorite sides for Salisbury steak are mashed potatoes, steamed rice or buttered egg noodles. Other sides in addition that great great are green salad and cornbread

Nutrition

Calories: 393kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 119mg | Sodium: 837mg | Potassium: 685mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 59IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe? Leave a comment below!

More Crockpot Beef Recipes

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For hearty one-pot meals, Slow Cooker Steak, Potatoes, and Corn and Hamburger Hash combine meat, potatoes, and vegetables for satisfying dinners.​

Slow Cooker Beef Tips provide tender beef in savory gravy, ideal over rice or pasta.​

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Recipe Rating




143 Comments

  1. Nathan Bramley says:

    5 stars
    Recipe is so good. I make it all the time for my family. Sometimes, the steaks don’t hold together (kind if crumble in the sauce). Do you think it is because I am using too much or not enough crackers? Also, sometimes I use meat with higher fat content. Any suggestions?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      If they feel really wet and are sticking to your hands I would add more crackers.

  2. Hils says:

    5 stars
    I made this with homemade chicken meatballs, and subbed water in the gravy with chicken stock. I cooked this on the stove. Wow! This recipe is delicious!

  3. Rakisha says:

    5 stars
    I just got finished devouring a second helping of this wonderful recipe. Due to the size of my family, I had to double everything. I didn’t have 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup, I had to substitute with a can of golden mushroom soup. I also didn’t have oregano, so used Bragg’s 24 Spice Herbs Seasoning. The only other change I plan to make in the future is to look for ways to lower the sodium of this recipe. But otherwise, it was great!

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Glad you enjoyed and can adapt to your own needs!

  4. Joey says:

    Do yoi think i can use premade hamburgers

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I don’t see why not.

  5. Jenny Nance says:

    Hi Sarah, have made so many of your recipes so could share with my Son , he has so enjoyed and also shared with my many friends. Your recipe ingredients are most of what have in pantry.

    Thank You Sarah.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      So glad to hear Jenny! Thank you for the kind comment.

  6. aram hamparian says:

    What slow cooker do you recommend for a single guy living alone?

    Thanks!

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Hi! A 4 quart is the smallest I would go, but truthfully I love a 6-quart. You can cook a whole chicken or roast in it and have leftovers. Even if you need to cook a small recipe you can use a larger slow cooker.

    2. Lora says:

      I have lots of brands, they all are good. I do highly recommend getting one that as timer and keep warm setting. I like this feature because I work long days, if a recipe only needs to cook 4 to 6 hours it will then switch to keep warm setting. Otherwise some things will burn before I get home to turn off. With keep warm it doesn’t burn and it perfect temp to serve when I do get home.

    3. Lora says:

      When you get your crockpot here’s a super easy recipe: Italian Beef, any roast, get whatever is on sale! A packet of Italian salad dressing mix, a small can of beef broth. Put all in crock pot and cook on low 18 to 24 hours. Shred it up, serve on sub bun with a white cheese like provolone or muenster …every time I take this to a pitch in so many want the recipe

  7. Julie says:

    1 star
    did not like

  8. Jane Mertz says:

    5 stars
    My husband LOVED this recipe. I made no changes to the it. I had to promise him that I would make this again, soon.

  9. Pam Foresman says:

    Hi there, this recipe sounds delicious. Do you happen to know how I would convert this to be made in the Instant Pot instead? Thanks so much!

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I do not without testing the recipe, I apologize.

  10. Charlene says:

    Can I use canned mushrooms instead of fresh?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Yes that will work fine.

      1. Charlene says:

        Thank you. I’m doing my grocery list and just got a new slow cooker and and trying lots of your recipes. Canned are so much cheaper than fresh at my store.