Southern Hamburger Steaks with Onion Gravy Recipe
This Southern Hamburger Steaks recipe features juicy ground beef patties seasoned with a blend of Cajun and Sazon spices, cooked to perfection with a rich, flavorful onion gravy. Served best over creamy mashed potatoes and vegetables, this classic comfort food offers a hearty homestyle meal with a balanced blend of savory and slightly sweet flavors.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes (including marination)
- Yield: 6 servings (12-13 patties) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern American
Hamburger Steaks
- 2 lbs ground beef (85/15 blend)
- ¼ cup chopped scallions, plus more for garnish
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, plus more for gravy as desired
- 1 packet Sazon seasoning (about 1 ½ teaspoons)
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (or honey)
- 1 teaspoon dried minced onion
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or avocado oil)
Onion Gravy
- 1 medium yellow onion, roughly chopped
- 1 Beefy Onion soup packet
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- Assemble the hamburger mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, chopped scallions, Cajun seasoning, Sazon seasoning, garlic paste, Worcestershire sauce, maple syrup (or honey), and dried minced onion. Use your hands (wear gloves if preferred) to gently work the mixture until all ingredients are just combined. Avoid overworking to prevent tough patties.
- Marinate beef: Cover the bowl securely with a lid or plastic wrap. Refrigerate the mixture for at least 1 hour up to 24 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
- Shape the patties: Using a large spring-loaded scoop or your hands, form about 12-13 patties. Flatten each in your palm gently until smooth and uniform in shape. Place on a clean plate and continue until all patties are shaped.
- Brown the steaks: Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet or braiser over medium heat. When hot, swirl to coat the pan evenly. Add a few patties at a time, being careful not to overcrowd. Brown patties without moving for 3-4 minutes until a deep crust forms, then flip and cook the other side for 2-3 minutes. Use a slotted utensil to transfer browned patties to a plate and set aside.
- Build the onion gravy: Add chopped onion to the same skillet and sauté, stirring frequently, until golden and tender, about 5-6 minutes. Scrape up browned bits from the pan with a wooden spoon. Stir in the Beefy Onion soup packet and flour, cooking for 1 minute to dissolve and combine thoroughly.
- Add beef broth and thicken: Pour in the beef broth, scraping up any remaining fond on the bottom of the pan. Bring to a boil, allowing the mixture to thicken into a gravy. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional Cajun seasoning if desired.
- Finish steaks in gravy: Reduce heat to medium-low and return the browned patties to the skillet. Gently toss to coat with the gravy. Let simmer together for 5-7 minutes to allow flavors to meld and patties to cook through fully.
- Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with additional chopped scallions. Serve the hamburger steaks and onion gravy over a bed of mashed potatoes with cooked green peas or corn for a classic Southern homestyle meal. Enjoy!
Notes
- Marinating the beef mixture enhances flavor and tenderness; do not skip or reduce marination time significantly.
- If a Beefy Onion soup packet is unavailable, substitute with 1 tablespoon beef bouillon granules mixed with 1 teaspoon onion powder.
- Use gloves when mixing raw beef if preferred for hygiene.
- The recipe yields about 12-13 patties, generous for 6 servings.
- For thicker gravy, cook a few minutes longer or add a slurry of flour and water cautiously.
- Maple syrup can be substituted with honey for similar sweetness and depth.
Keywords: Southern Hamburger Steaks, Onion Gravy, Comfort Food, Beef Patties, Cajun Seasoning, Homestyle Meal