Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
This post may contain affiliate links.
Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak is a no-fuss dinner that practically makes itself and tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen. If you’re juggling a busy schedule but still want a hearty, comforting meal on the table, this recipe is your new weeknight hero.
Make it a meal and serve these hamburger steaks with egg noodles, mashed potatoes, and a side of veggies like broccoli or green beans! Want even more comfort food? Try my homemade hamburger helper!
Why You’ll Love This recipe
- Easy weeknight dinner: This recipe is a low-effort, high-reward dinner perfect for busy nights.
- Comfort food meal: Rich gravy, tender beef, and hearty flavor make this the ultimate cozy classic.
- Slow cooker beef recipe: Let your slow cooker do the heavy lifting while you get on with your day.
- Family-friendly meal: Mild flavors and familiar ingredients make this a hit with picky eaters.
Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak is the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug after a long day. The juicy beef patties simmer low and slow in a rich, savory gravy that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. When really, your slow cooker did all the work.
With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or lazy Sundays. It’s cozy, budget-friendly, and totally family-approved. Serve it over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles for an easy dinner everyone will love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This simple salisbury steak recipe comes together with a short list of pantry staples that pack big flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to grab and a few tips to help you make it just right:
- Ground beef – Go for 80/20 if you want juicy, flavorful patties that hold up well in the slow cooker.
- Beef seasoning – Use your favorite blend or a simple mix of salt, pepper, and onion powder to add a savory base to the meat.
- Beef gravy – You can use jarred or homemade, but choose a thicker gravy so it doesn’t get too watery during cooking.
- Cream of mushroom soup – This adds a creamy, savory element that blends into the gravy for extra richness.
- Onion soup mix – A pantry powerhouse. It gives you that deep, slow-simmered flavor with zero effort.
- Seasonings (pepper and garlic powder) – A little extra kick that helps balance out the creamy and savory notes.
You don’t need anything fancy to make this meal taste like pure comfort. Just a few simple ingredients and your slow cooker will do the rest.
Jesseca’s Recipe Review
This Crockpot Salisbury Steak is a total win in my kitchen. It checks every box: minimal prep, rich flavor, and it practically cooks itself. The patties come out juicy and tender, and that gravy? It’s comfort food magic. We served it over mashed potatoes, and my teenager actually asked for seconds. Which never happens with anything that isn’t pizza.
Tip from Jesseca:
If you’ve got an extra 5 minutes, brown the patties in a skillet before slow cooking. It adds a layer of flavor that makes this feel more like a Sunday dinner and less like a weeknight shortcut.
Variations and Substitutions
This easy Salisbury Steak is easy to customize based on what you have on hand or what your crew prefers. Here are a few simple swaps and flavor twists to try:
- Use homemade gravy – If you’ve got the time, a quick homemade beef gravy can give this dish a richer, from-scratch taste.
- Cream of mushroom alternatives – Not a fan? Cream of onion or cream of celery can work in a pinch and still bring that creamy texture.
- Add mushrooms – For extra texture and flavor, toss in a handful of fresh sliced mushrooms with the patties.
- Boost the veggies – Stir in frozen peas or green beans during the last hour of cooking for an easy way to round out the meal.
The best part? This recipe is flexible. Whether you’re working around dietary needs or just using what’s already in the fridge, it’s hard to mess this one up.
Crockpot Salisbury Steak Recipe
This is one of those magical dump-and-go slow cooker meals that doesn’t require much effort. Just a little prep and you’re on your way to a comforting, gravy-smothered dinner. Here’s a quick step-by-step peek at how it’s done:
- Mist your slow cooker – Lightly spray the inside of a 5–6 quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
- Season and shape patties – Season the ground beef and form into 4–6 patties, depending on your preferred size.
- Place in cooker – Lay the patties in a single layer in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Mix the gravy – Stir together the beef gravy, cream of mushroom soup, and onion soup mix. (Or just pour them in separately—no shame.)
- Pour and season – Cover the patties with the gravy mixture. Sprinkle with garlic powder and pepper.
- Slow cook – Set to low and cook for 4 to 6 hours, or until patties reach 160°F internally.
That’s it! Spoon that savory gravy over mashed potatoes or egg noodles and enjoy a no-stress dinner that tastes like comfort in a bowl.
Helpful Tools
With these tools at your disposal, you’ll be well-prepared to whip up any slow cooker favorite!
- Slow Cooker/Crock-Pot: (affiliate) Well, this one’s a no-brainer! Make sure you have a slow cooker in the right size for your recipe.
- Mixing Bowl: (affiliate) You’ll need a bowl for mixing the ground beef and other ingredients to form the patties.
- Slow Cooker Liners (optional): (affiliate) These make cleanup a breeze!
Recipes FAQs
Technically yes, but it’s not ideal. Freshly formed patties hold together better and soak up more flavor. If using frozen, thaw them completely before adding to the slow cooker.
Absolutely! Just make sure your slow cooker is large enough to fit all the patties in layers. Add a little extra cook time if stacking.
Nope! The slow cooker does the work. Just make sure the patties are coated well in the gravy mixture for even flavor.
If your gravy is too thin after cooking, transfer it to a saucepan and simmer for a few minutes, or stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon cold water) and cook until thickened.
Mashed potatoes are classic, but egg noodles, rice, or even crusty bread work great to soak up that gravy.
Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions
This is a great make-ahead meal and stores like a champ, making it perfect for leftovers or meal prep.
- To store: Let everything cool completely, then transfer the patties and gravy to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days. The flavors actually get better after a day or two, making it even more delicious the next time around.
- To freeze: Place cooled patties and gravy in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- To reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave or reheat the entire batch in a covered skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water if needed to loosen the gravy.
Make-ahead tip: You can prep everything the night before. Shape the patties, mix the gravy, and store both in the fridge separately or layered in the crock insert (if it’s removable and fridge-safe). The next day, just pop it in the slow cooker and turn it on.
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email below & we’ll send it to your inbox. Plus get great new recipes from us every week!
Crockpot Salisbury Steak
Ingredients
- 1½ lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon beef seasoning
- 1 (12oz) can beef gravy
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 package onion soup mix
- black pepper and garlic powder to taste
Instructions
- Lightly mist the inside of a 5–6 quart slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- In a mixing bowl, season the ground beef with your preferred beef seasoning blend. Mix just until combined. Shape the mixture into 5 large or 6 smaller patties, depending on your portion size preference.
- Arrange the patties in a single layer in the bottom of the slow cooker. It’s okay if they overlap slightly.
- In a separate bowl, stir together the beef gravy, cream of mushroom soup, and dry onion soup mix until smooth. If you’re short on time, you can skip the bowl and pour each directly over the patties.
- Pour the gravy mixture over the patties, making sure each is well coated. Sprinkle with garlic powder and freshly ground black pepper for added flavor.
- Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours, or until the patties are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
- Carefully remove the patties and serve with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles. Don’t forget to ladle plenty of that rich gravy on top!
Nutrition
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
