Hamburger Steak With Mushroom Onion Gravy – For The Dads We Miss On Father’s Day
My dad was a meat and potatoes guy. A baked potato, a simple salad, a good piece of meat – that was his ideal meal. Nothing fancy. Just food that hit the spot.
That was my dad in a nutshell, actually. No fuss. No frills. Just a good, down-to-earth man.
His name was Michael. And this Father’s Day, I’m honoring him the only way I know how – with a recipe I know he would have loved: hamburger steak with mushroom onion gravy.
If you’ve been following along here on Cheap Recipe Blog, you may know that I also lost my mom, Violet, just six months before losing my dad. I wrote about her on Mother’s Day. Honestly, I never thought I’d be back here, so soon, doing it again. But today in his honor, I’m going to tell you about my dad.
Humility
My dad was down-to-earth, hardworking, and humble. He worked the same job – for the county highway department – for more than 40 years. He plowed snow for many years, clearing the snowy rural Minnesota highways in the winter months.
And that humility?
He didn’t want any special attention. He preferred to blend in – to stand in the back.
In fact, he probably wouldn’t approve of this blog post written in his honor.
But I think he deserves some attention.
Curiosity
My dad loved traveling. Not extravagant luxury hotel travel – but meaningful road trips with family.
For many years, my parents and I took at least two trips together a year. We’d pick a city or a state, rent a car, and explore the area. We went to Alaska, the Carolinas, the Southwest, the Northeast, the Pacific Northwest. Northern Minnesota. Utah and Nevada. Alberta and British Columbia.
My dad traveled to 49 states – he never made it to Hawaii. He traveled throughout Central Europe. Mexico. His military service brought him to Vietnam and Japan.
He loved studying maps.
When I was traveling without him, I would call him to tell him where I was and he would get out his Rand McNally and find me. Then he would proceed to tell me interesting historic facts about the area an recommend stops for me to make.
I sometimes wonder if he loved to travel – or if he simply loved the free continental breakfasts we would eat at the hotels we would stay at. He never missed a free breakfast. He would get up well before mom and I and sit down in the breakfast room – chatting with strangers and savoring every morsel of his free breakfast.
And it wasn’t just breakfast. Wherever we went, Dad found someone to talk to. Mom and I would duck into boutiques on vacation and come back out to find him on a bench outside, deep in conversation with some stranger whose wife was also shopping. It happened constantly. A million times, at least.
He could talk to anyone.
His Military Service
My dad served his country in the Vietnam War. He wasn’t drafted – he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1964. He was on the Ford Ord Rifle Team and won many medals.
He didn’t talk all that much about it. In fact, the thing he talked about the most were the guys he met. His war buddies.
A Steady Faith
My dad had a quiet, steady faith. He always made sure our family went to church on Sunday mornings.
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My dad suffered from insomnia. Whenever we would share a hotel room – or when I’d spend the night at my parents’ – I would hear him talking to himself.
What was on his mind, as he tried to fall asleep?
He would recite Bible verses.
Over and over I would hear him say “For God so loved the world…”
And soon enough, he would quiet.
After losing my mom just a few months earlier, my dad was very clear about one thing: He was ready to go, too. They were married for 55 years.
While I miss him terribly, it brings me peace that he was ready to die – and that he knew where he was going: To be reunited with my mom, and to be welcomed into the loving arms of his creator and savior, Jesus Christ. He had complete peace with that.
Making A Meal For Dad
I wanted to do something special in honor of my dad here on Cheap Recipe Blog for Father’s Day – just like I did for my mom on Mother’s Day. He didn’t fully understand what it meant to have a recipe blog – until he randomly stumbled upon one of my recipes (chislic) while doing a Google search. Then all of a sudden, it made sense.
If I were to ask him what I could cook for him – any possible thing he’d want – I’m pretty sure he would say hamburger steak. He often ordered hamburger steak when we went out for a Saturday evening meal. He would always ask for a bottle of steak sauce to accompany it (A1 or Heinz 57) and a baked potato. So simple. But he loved it.
So here’s to my dad. A meal I know he would love. And hopefully you will too. Thank you for making it and helping me keep his memory alive in my own little way here on my blog.
About The Recipe: Hamburger Steak With Mushroom & Onion Gravy
Hamburger steak is a seasoned ground beef patty, pan-seared until browned and served smothered in a hearty mushroom and onion gravy. Hamburger steak is simple, filling, and the kind of meal that never goes out of style.
Hamburger steak is basically a glorified hamburger patty. Simple seasonings and breadcrumbs are added to the meat. The mushroom-onion gravy makes this recipe extra special.
My dad was a meat-and-potatoes guy, and a hamburger steak served with a baked potato was his ideal meal. With a side salad. He would have eaten this with A1 steak sauce or Heinz 57. The mushroom gravy is my addition – but I think he would have approved.
What You’ll Need
- For the hamburger steaks:
- Ground beef: 85% lean
- Breadcrumbs
- Seasonings: Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, beef bouillon powder (or paste, like Better Than Bouillon)
- Onion
- Butter
- For the mushroom-onion gravy:
- Butter
- Yellow onions
- White button mushrooms
- Flour
- Beef broth
- Worcestershire sauce
- Salt
Serving Suggestions
This simple meal easily turns into a hearty, comfort food meal with the addition of a potato (mashed potatoes, garlic mashed potatoes, a baked potato), steamed or roasted vegetables, a side salad, and a dinner roll.
Tips For The Best Hamburger Steaks
- Don’t overwork the meat when forming the patties
- Make sure your pan is hot before the patties go in – that’s how you get a good sear
- Let the patties rest a few minutes before serving
- 85% lean ground beef is the sweet spot for flavor and juiciness
FAQs
What is the difference between hamburger steak and salisbury steak?
They’re very similar, and the terms are often used interchangeably. The main difference is that Salisbury steak typically contains more mix-ins — things like egg, breadcrumbs, and sometimes ketchup or mustard mixed directly into the meat — and is almost always served with gravy. Hamburger steak is simpler and closer to a pure seasoned beef patty. Think of Salisbury steak as the more dressed-up cousin.
Can I freeze hamburger steak with gravy?
Yes. Allow everything to cool completely, then store the patties and gravy together in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of beef broth if the gravy needs loosening.
What kind of ground beef is best for hamburger steak?
85% lean ground beef is the sweet spot — enough fat to keep the patties juicy and flavorful without being greasy. Leaner ground beef can result in a drier, less flavorful patty.
Why You’ll Love This Hamburger Steak Recipe
This hamburger steak recipe is the definition of comfort food – and it really is simple to prepare. The ingredients are easy to find and budget-friendly, and the whole meal comes together in under 30 minutes. The mushroom onion gravy takes it from a basic ground beef patty to something genuinely special. This meal pleases everyone at the dinner table – no complaints, no leftovers!
Hamburger Steak With Mushroom Onion Gravy
Seasoned ground beef patties are pan-seared until browned, then smothered in a rich mushroom and onion gravy. Dad would have asked for A1 on the side. You might not need it.
Ingredients
- 1 1/3 lb. Ground beef (85% lean)
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon beef bouillon powder, (or beef bouillon cube dissolved in a splash of warm water)
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter, grated (using cheese grater)
For mushroom-onion gravy
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 1/2 yellow onions, cut in half and sliced
- 8 oz. white button mushrooms, sliced
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- To make hamburger steaks, combine ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, onion powder, garlic powder, beef bouillon powder, Worcestershire sauce, onion, and butter in a large mixing bowl. Use clean hands to mix everything together, but don't overwork the meat. Divide meat into 4 equal pieces and form into a large patty, about 1/2 inch thick. Place burger patties in fridge to chill while you make the mushroom onion gravy.
- To make mushroom onion gravy, heat butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes, until onions begin to soften. Add mushrooms and continue cooking, stirring, for another 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle flour over the onions and mushrooms. Stir until the flour incorporates. Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and salt. Continue stirring until mixture begins to thicken.
- Add hamburger patties to the mushroom-onion gravy to soak up some of the gravy. Plate hamburger steaks with plenty of gravy on top.