Poor Man’s Steak

Poor Man’s Steak is a comforting, budget-friendly classic that transforms ground beef into a hearty, flavorful dish. It’s made with seasoned meat patties, browned to perfection, and simmered in a rich, savory gravy. This is one of those recipes I keep coming back to whenever I want something satisfying, simple, and reminiscent of old-school home cooking.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it takes humble ingredients and turns them into something truly delicious. It’s affordable, quick to prepare, and fills the kitchen with the kind of aroma that reminds me of a Sunday dinner. The steak patties stay juicy and tender, and the gravy brings everything together in the most comforting way. Plus, it pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

ground beef
cracker crumbs or breadcrumbs
milk
egg
onion (finely chopped)
garlic powder
salt and pepper
flour (for dredging)
oil or butter (for frying)
beef broth
cream of mushroom soup or homemade mushroom gravy

Directions

1. I start by mixing the ground beef, cracker crumbs, milk, egg, chopped onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl until everything is just combined.

2. I form the mixture into thick oval-shaped patties, similar to steak cuts.

3. I lightly dredge each patty in flour to help them brown nicely and hold their shape.

4. In a skillet, I heat oil or butter and brown the patties on both sides until they have a deep golden crust.

5. Once browned, I remove the patties and drain any excess grease.

6. I whisk together the beef broth and cream of mushroom soup in the same skillet to create a creamy gravy.

7. I return the patties to the skillet, cover, and simmer them in the gravy for about 30 minutes until fully cooked and tender.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 4 to 6 servings and takes around 45 minutes from start to finish, including prep and simmering time. It’s great for weeknight dinners or weekend comfort meals.

Variations

Sometimes I switch up the gravy and make it with onion soup mix and water instead of mushroom soup for a different flavor. I also like adding mushrooms or bell peppers into the gravy for more texture. For a spicier twist, I mix in a bit of hot sauce or cayenne pepper into the meat mixture.

storage/reheating

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, I place the patties and gravy in a covered skillet over low heat until warmed through, adding a splash of broth if the gravy thickens too much. This dish also freezes well; I freeze the patties and gravy together and thaw them overnight in the fridge before reheating.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, I’ve used ground turkey for a lighter version. It’s a bit leaner, so I sometimes add a touch of olive oil or an extra egg for moisture.

Do I have to use cream of mushroom soup?

No, I can make a homemade mushroom gravy or use cream of chicken soup if that’s what I have on hand.

What sides go well with Poor Man’s Steak?

I love serving it with mashed potatoes, green beans, or buttered corn. It’s also great with egg noodles or over rice.

Can I bake the patties instead of frying?

Yes, I’ve baked the patties at 375°F until browned, then poured the gravy over and continued baking until fully cooked. It’s a good hands-off method.

Why are my patties falling apart?

If that happens to me, it’s usually because there’s not enough binder. I make sure to use enough egg and crumbs to hold everything together and avoid overmixing the meat.

Conclusion

Poor Man’s Steak is one of those timeless dishes that always hits the spot. It’s simple, filling, and full of flavor, with ingredients I usually have on hand. Whether I’m feeding a family or just looking for a cozy meal on a budget, this recipe always comes through.

Poor Man’s Steak

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• Author: Linda
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 to 6 servings
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

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Description

Poor Man’s Steak is a budget-friendly comfort food classic featuring seasoned ground beef patties, browned and simmered in a rich mushroom gravy. It’s a hearty, satisfying dish perfect for family dinners or weeknight meals.

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Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 cup cracker crumbs or breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup flour (for dredging)
• 2 tbsp oil or butter (for frying)
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup or 1 1/2 cups homemade mushroom gravy

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Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix ground beef, cracker crumbs, milk, egg, chopped onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until just combined.
2. Form the mixture into thick oval-shaped patties.
3. Lightly dredge each patty in flour.
4. In a skillet, heat oil or butter and brown patties on both sides until golden.
5. Remove patties and drain excess grease.
6. In the same skillet, whisk together beef broth and cream of mushroom soup to make the gravy.
7. Return patties to the skillet, cover, and simmer in the gravy for about 30 minutes until fully cooked and tender.

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Notes

• Use ground turkey for a lighter option.
• For extra flavor, add mushrooms or bell peppers to the gravy.
• Swap cream of mushroom soup with onion soup mix and water for a different taste.
• This dish freezes well—store patties and gravy together.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 patty with gravy
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 550mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0.5g
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 22g
• Cholesterol: 85mg