What is Gourmet Salisbury Steak?
– Quick-seared beef patties (burgers), baked in a rich onion and red wine sauce.
Salisbury Steak Introduction
The classic Salisbury Steak has been given a contemporary update in this recipe.
The burgers are made with minced beef and rice instead of breadcrumbs, resulting in a lighter texture and improved binding.
The gravy is enriched with red wine and balsamic vinegar, adding a rich, sweet flavour and a reddish colour. This update improves both the taste and appearance of the classic dish.
Salisbury steak is a classic American dish made from minced beef shaped into oval patties, designed to mimic the appearance of more expensive cuts like steak.
The dish is named after Dr. James H. Salisbury, a 19th-century physician who promoted a high-meat diet for health reasons. During the economic hardships of the 20th century, families adapted by using affordable minced beef instead of steak. To make the dish more economical, breadcrumbs were often added to the patties, helping to stretch the mixture and feed the entire family.
Salisbury Steak Ingredients
GRAVY
- onions – Use yellow onions for the best flavour in this recipe.
- sunflower oil – Or other vegetable oil of your choice.
- butter – plain, unsalted
- sugar – Use plain white caster sugar.
- flour – Use to thicken the sauce, plain white is the best.
- red wine – Buy a good quality red wine for a richer, deeper flavour in the gravy.
- tomato concentrate – Add tomato concentrate to enhance the depth and richness of the gravy.
- Balsamic vinegar – Add balsamic vinegar to impart a subtle sweetness and complexity to the gravy.
mushrooms ( optional) – Some versions of Salisbury steak include mushrooms in the gravy. In this recipe, I’ve used sliced mushrooms to cover the patties in the baking dish.
BURGER (PATTIES)
- rice – Prepare with round white rice as it works best for binding and texture.
- beef mince – Use any type of rice of your choice for the patties.
- parsley – Fresh parsley leaves, don’t use dry.
- Worcester Sauce – Adds rich savoury depth of flavour.
- egg yolk – Binds the patties
- garlic
- salt, pepper
While you’re here, take a look at these other delicious minced meat recipes.
How to make Modern Salisbury Steak?
Beef Burgers
Cook the rice, drain well and cool.
In a large bowl add minced beef, cooked rice and other pattie ingredients. Combine well. Shape the mixture into 4-5 oval patties and return them to the fridge while you prepare the sauce.
Salisbury Steak Gravy
In a large pot, sauté the chopped onions on medium heat in melted butter and oil until they soften and become transparent. Stir occasionally, adding a small amount of water several times to prevent the onions from sticking to the bottom of the pot. This process should take about 20 minutes, and you will need one cup of water ( 200ml).
Once the onions are soft and golden ( do not let it brown), add sugar and continue to cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
Stir in the flour and mix well. Add beef stock, red wine, tomato purée, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper to taste. Return to heat and stir until the sauce thickens and reduces slightly (cook for a few minutes). Remove from heat and set aside.
Note: You can adjust the thickness of the gravy as needed. If it’s too thick, add extra water at the end of cooking. If it’s too thin, let it simmer a little longer, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and burning due to the flour.
Frying
Fry the patties in a little oil for about 2 minutes on each side, or until a crust forms. No need for long frying because they will finish cooking in the oven. Transfer them to a baking dish.
Assemble the dish
Place the fried burgers in a single layer in the baking dish, avoiding stacking. I added sliced button mushrooms on top of the patties before pouring the gravy, but this step is optional.
Now pour the onion and wine gravy over the patties, making sure they are submerged in the sauce. Cover the dish loosely with aluminium foil.
Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C for 35 to 45 minutes. In the last 10 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking uncovered. Allow the dish to rest for about 30 minutes before serving.
Enjoy your gourmet Salisbury Steak!
What to serve with Salisbury Steak?
Salisbury steak pairs well with mashed, boiled or baked potatoes to soak up the gravy. For vegetables, steamed green beans, broccoli or roasted carrots work well. A side salad, simple dinner rolls or a slice of rustic bread can round out the meal.
Recipe Card
American Salisbury Steak: Beef Patties in a Rich Onion and Red Wine Gravy
Ingredients
GRAVY
- 4 large onions
- 4 tbsp sunflower oil
- 1 tsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp plain white flour
- 800 ml beef stock
- 250 ml good quality red wine
- 1 tbsp tomato purée
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- salt, black pepper - to taste
BURGERS
- 500 g minced beef
- 40 g round rice - cooked
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 cloves garlic - crushed
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley - finely chopped
- 1 tsp Worcester sauce
- 1/2 – 1 tsp salt
- black pepper - to taste
OTHER
- a few tbsp sunflower oil - for frying
- 10 mushrooms (optional) - button, chestnut or similar
Instructions
- Prepare the PattiesCook the rice, drain, and let it cool. In a large bowl, combine minced beef, cooked rice, and other patty ingredients. Shape the mixture into 4-5 oval patties and chill in the fridge while you prepare the gravy.
- Make the GravyIn a large pot, sauté the onions in butter and oil on medium heat until soft and translucent, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. During frying gradually add about 200ml of water ( not all at once) to prevent from sticking.Once onions are golden (but not browned), stir in the sugar and cook for a few more minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the flour. Then, add 800 ml of beef stock, red wine, tomato purée, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Return to the heat and cook until the sauce thickens slightly, then set aside.
- FryingFry the patties in oil for 2 minutes on each side until a crust forms. They don’t need to be fully cooked at this stage. Transfer to a baking dish.
- Assemble and BakePlace the patties in a single layer in the dish and pour the gravy over them, ensuring they are submerged. Cover loosely with aluminium foil and bake in a preheated oven at 200°C for 35 to 40 minutes. In the last 10 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking uncovered.
- Let the dish rest for 30 minutes before serving.