Hearty Salisbury Steak in the Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak

This slow cooker Salisbury steak is a true hands-off comfort food classic. Forget the bland frozen versions — this recipe builds rich, savory flavor with onion soup mix blended into the patties and a deep au jus gravy that develops beautifully during slow cooking. Lightly dredging the patties in flour before browning is the secret step, creating a better crust and helping the gravy thicken into a smooth, velvety sauce as it cooks.

Ingredients

2 pounds lean ground beef
½ cup breadcrumbs
¼ cup milk
1 (1 oz) packet onion soup mix
½ teaspoon dried thyme
¼ cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 white onion, thinly sliced
2 (10 oz) cans condensed cream of chicken soup
¾ cup water
1 (1 oz) packet au jus mix

Instructions

Step 1: Form the Patties

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, onion soup mix, and thyme. Mix just until incorporated — avoid overworking the meat. Shape into 8 evenly sized oval patties.

Step 2: Prepare the Slow Cooker

Spread the sliced onions evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker. They’ll serve as a flavorful base and soften into the gravy as it cooks.

Step 3: Brown the Patties

Warm the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly dredge each patty in flour, shaking off excess. Sear for about 3 to 4 minutes per side, until nicely browned.

Step 4: Assemble with Gravy

Transfer the browned patties onto the bed of onions in the slow cooker. In a separate bowl, whisk together the condensed soup, water, and au jus mix until smooth. Pour the gravy mixture evenly over the patties.