Craving a little comfort food? It's hard to beat these Hamburger Steaks, smothered with homemade mushroom-onion gravy and served over creamy Mashed Potatoes. This savory classic is delicious, filling, and family friendly too!

I love to cook, but sometimes we just need a really simple meal for a busy weeknight. And this one definitely fits the bill! Nothing quite beats the comfort food factor of mashed potatoes and gravy. Add a hamburger steak and you have a complete dinner on your hands.

What is a hamburger steak, you ask? Well it's basically a burger served up like a steak, typically with mashed potatoes and gravy. You may have also heard the terms "Salisbury steak" or "gravy burger" - and these are all pretty much the same concept. (Although you will find plenty of debate on the interwebs about the precise definition of each!)

And of course my homemade burgers are one of the most popular recipes on this blog, so you know these hamburger steaks are going to be good too. So if you're looking for a new family favorite to add to your dinner routine, give these Hamburger Steaks a try!

Tips and Tricks

What type of ground beef to use?

I used an 80/20 ground beef mixture for this recipe, but you can opt for a lower fat option if you prefer. Keep in mind that if you're using a leaner beef like 90/10, the patties will cook up a bit faster.

Press the burgers

To ensure that your hamburger steaks stay together when cooking and don't puff up in the center, make sure you press down the centers lightly when forming the patties. You can use your fingers or the back of a spoon.

Microwaving potatoes for mashed potatoes

If you're in a rush, you can cook the potatoes for your mashed potatoes in the microwave! Just place them in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave them for 8-10 minutes, or until fork tender.

Amp up the mashed potatoes

If you'd like to add some extra flavor to your mashed potatoes, try stirring in some grated parmesan cheese or a tablespoon of cream cheese.

The key to perfect mashed potatoes is moisture

Make sure to add more milk as needed to achieve the desired consistency.

Add more crunch

For a crunchier texture, feel free to add another ½ cup of Panko bread crumbs to the ground beef mixture.

Variations

Beef Alternatives

Try using a different type of ground meat such as chicken, turkey or pork instead of beef for the "hamburger" steaks.

For an extra cheesy version

Stir your favorite cheese like cheddar, Monterey jack or Gouda into the hamburger patties before cooking. Or top the burgers with a slice of cheese while cooking.

For a flavor boost

Substitute the beef broth with a combination of red wine and beef broth.

Mix up the mushrooms

If you prefer, you can use different types of mushrooms like portobello or shiitake mushrooms instead of baby bella mushrooms.

Seasoning the burgers

Customize the hamburger steaks to your liking with added garlic, fresh herbs, and spices. Check out my homemade burger seasoning for some inspiration.

Use your favorite gravy

The mushroom-onion gravy in this recipe is pretty amazing, but you can also use your own favorite gravy recipe, like this homemade sausage gravy.

More Tasty Ideas

If you love these Hamburger Steaks, be sure to check out these other delicious ideas:

Recipe

Hamburger Steaks with Mashed Potatoes

Yield Servings 4 servings
Prep Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Cook Time 40 mins

Ingredients

For the hamburger steaks:

1 ½ pounds ground beef, lean
½ cup panko bread crumbs
1 package Lipton onion soup and dip mix
1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper pepper
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
¼ cup unsalted butter, divided
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 yellow onion, sliced
2 cups beef broth
2 tablespoons cornstarch, for the slurry
¼ cup water, for the slurry
Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

For the mashed potatoes:

2 large russet potatoes, or 3 medium-sized potatoes
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
¼ to ½ cup whole milk, adjust for desired creaminess
Salt, to taste
White or black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1
Start by preparing the mashed potatoes. Peel the potatoes and cut them into even-sized chunks, about 1 to 1.5 inches in size.
2
In a medium pot, cover the potato chunks with cold water, ensuring they're submerged. Add a pinch of salt. Place the pot on the stove over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, about 15-20 minutes.
3
Once cooked, drain the potatoes in a colander. Return them to the pot. Add butter to the hot potatoes and let it melt. Begin mashing the potatoes using a potato masher. Gradually add milk while continuing to mash until you achieve your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside,
4
While the potatoes are cooking, you can begin to make the hamburger steaks. Mix the ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, soup mix, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce in a large bowl.
5
Combine the mixture using your hands until well mixed. Form the beef mixture into four ½-inch thick hamburger patties. Press down the center of each patty lightly to create an indentation, using your thumb or the back of a spoon.
6
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the hamburger patties
7
Cook for 5 minutes on each side. Transfer the burger patties to a plate.
8
Reduce the heat to medium, and add the onions and mushrooms to the skillet. Saute for 5-7 minutes. Whisk in the broth and bring this onion gravy to a boil.
9
In a separate small bowl, make the cornstarch slurry by mixing 2 tablespoons cornstarch with ¼ cup water. Pour the slurry into the sauce. Stir for 2 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened. Turn off the heat and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter.
10
Add the hamburger patties back to the skillet. Garnish with parsley and serve.