This Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak is a comforting homemade dinner filled with tender beef patties, savory mushrooms, and soft onions. Everything cooks slowly together in a rich, flavorful gravy until the patties are tender and delicious.
It is an easy recipe that requires very little hands-on cooking. Simply mix and shape the beef patties, add them to the slow cooker with the vegetables, pour over the flavorful broth mixture, and let the slow cooker do the rest.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Salisbury steak is perfect for a cozy family dinner.
The beef patties are tender and flavorful, while the mushrooms and onions become soft as they cook in the savory gravy. A simple cornstarch mixture is added at the end to give the sauce a smooth and glossy texture.
Serve everything over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or steamed rice for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
For the Salisbury Steaks
- 1½ pounds lean ground beef
- ½ cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Mushroom and Onion Gravy
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons cold water
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for serving
Prepare the Beef Mixture
Add the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to a large bowl.
Gently mix everything together until the ingredients are evenly combined.
Be careful not to overmix the beef. Mixing too much can make the patties dense instead of tender.
Shape the Patties
Divide the beef mixture into four equal portions.
Shape each portion into an oval patty about ¾ inch, or 2 cm, thick.
Try to keep the patties similar in size so they cook evenly in the slow cooker.
Add the Vegetables
Arrange the thinly sliced onion and cremini mushrooms across the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
Spread them into an even layer so they create a flavorful base for the beef patties.
Add the Salisbury Steaks
Carefully arrange the four beef patties over the onions and mushrooms.
Try to leave a little space between the patties so the cooking liquid can circulate around them.
Prepare the Gravy Mixture
In a separate bowl, whisk together the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and Dijon mustard.
Continue whisking until everything is well combined and smooth.
Pour the mixture evenly over the beef patties, onions, and mushrooms.
Slow Cook
Cover the slow cooker with the lid.
Cook on LOW for 4–5 hours, or until the beef reaches a safe internal temperature of at least 160°F (71°C).
During this time, the onions and mushrooms become tender while the patties absorb the savory flavors from the cooking liquid.
Thicken the Gravy
Once the patties are fully cooked, carefully transfer them to a plate and keep them covered.
You can leave the gravy in the slow cooker or transfer it to a saucepan if you prefer to thicken it on the stovetop.
In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of cold water.
Stir until the mixture is completely smooth.
Add the cornstarch mixture to the hot gravy and stir well.
If using the slow cooker, cook on HIGH for about 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gravy becomes thick, smooth, and glossy.
Finish the Salisbury Steaks
Once the gravy has thickened, carefully return the beef patties to the slow cooker.
Spoon the mushroom and onion gravy generously over the top of each patty.
Let the Salisbury steaks rest in the gravy for about 5 minutes. This allows the patties to absorb even more of the flavorful sauce.
Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle the finished Salisbury steaks with freshly chopped parsley.
Serve them hot over creamy mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or steamed rice.
For a complete dinner, add green beans or your favorite roasted vegetables on the side.
Helpful Tips
Do not overmix the beef.
Gently combining the ingredients helps keep the patties tender.
Keep the patties evenly sized.
Similar thickness ensures that the beef cooks at a consistent rate.
Slice the mushrooms evenly.
This helps them cook at the same rate and gives the finished gravy a better texture.
Mix the cornstarch with cold water first.
Creating a smooth slurry before adding it to the hot gravy helps prevent lumps.
Let the patties rest in the gravy.
Five minutes in the finished sauce allows the flavors to come together before serving.
What to Serve with Salisbury Steak
This hearty dish pairs beautifully with simple side dishes.
Try serving it with:
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Steamed white rice
- Egg noodles
- Green beans
- Roasted carrots
- Roasted potatoes
- Steamed vegetables
The thick mushroom and onion gravy is especially delicious spooned over mashed potatoes or noodles.
Final Thoughts
Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak with Mushroom and Onion Gravy is an easy comfort-food dinner that brings tender beef, mushrooms, onions, and rich gravy together in one slow cooker.
With just a few minutes of preparation, the slow cooker takes care of the cooking while the flavors develop slowly. Finish everything with fresh parsley and serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles for a warm and satisfying homemade meal.