Meat and Potato Patties

Name: Meat and Potato Patties
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings.
Ingredients: 3/4 pound lean ground beef (90% lean); 3/4 cup finely shredded potatoes; 1/4 cup finely chopped onion; 2 tablespoons chopped green pepper; 1 large egg, beaten; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 tablespoon canola oil; 1 cup tomato juice; 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup water

During World War II, when meat was rationed and had to be purchased with tokens, this recipe went a long way in feeding a family. To this day, I still reach for it whenever I want something different from regular hamburgers. By the way, children really like these (just as I did when I was a child!).— Gladys Klein, Burlington Wisconsin

Ingredients

3/4 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
3/4 cup finely shredded potatoes
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons chopped green pepper
1 large egg, beaten
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 cup tomato juice
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/4 cup water

Directions

Combine the first six ingredients. Shape into four patties; press to flatten slightly. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Brown patties on both sides; drain. Add tomato juice. Simmer, covered, until a thermometer inserted into meat reads 160°, 20-25 minutes. Remove patties to a serving platter; keep warm.
Whisk flour into water; gradually add to skillet. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring constantly, until thickened. Spoon over patties. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

1 patty: 237 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 99mg cholesterol, 373mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 20g protein.

Originally published as Meat-and-Potato Patties in Country Ground Beef

Reviews

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D.

Jul 7, 2019

My Mom (and now me, like her) used saltines sometimes, too, but she usually used boiled, peeled, chopped potatoes because we had a whole garden full of them in the fall and by spring they needed to be finished off so we could clean and start reusing the root cellar. I loved this stuff as a kid (we called it meatloaf burgers) and usually had fresh sweet corn with it or freshly picked green beans. I hated the sweaty work of being in the garden but the rewards were well worth it! I still do this same way of living today. I garden a lot, but this year it's a bit different because we have been inundated with rain. It seems as though the sun is on vacation!
Lynne

Jul 7, 2019

I used V8 tomato juice, and it was so tasty!! Some readers used bread crumbs. Try it the way it is written - you’ll love it!
newgrandma

Mar 10, 2019

like another reader commented, my mom (and now me) always used saltine cracker crumbs in place of the potatoes - a LOT of them. It truly does stretch the hamburger a long ways. We always called them "Hamburger Steaks." We still make them - and love them!
Colin

Oct 30, 2018

This was a great recipe and all my family loved it. I served it with green beans.
lkoschock

Jul 14, 2018

My mom made these when meat was scarce in our house in the 50's. She called them Polish Hamburgers (we are Polish). She didn't use potatoes but cracker crumbs, garlic, seasoning and made them into patties. I still get hungry for them every now and then. In fact, I had them for dinner 2 nites ago. Still tasty and still filling. You only have to use 1/2 the meat you normally do. Yummo !!!
hangelpoot2

Jul 13, 2018

My mom back in the 40s with 6 kids made this with cracker crumbs instead of potatoes, and called it poor folks burgers. We loved them. I think back then we used lard.
LPHJKitchen

Apr 22, 2018

These were VERY simple to make yet flavorful. The only thing I would modify would be the sauce. I would add a few spices to the tomato juice for extra flavor- maybe some rosemary or oregano. Otherwise, very hearty and filling!
delowenstein

Apr 3, 2018

I did not have green pepper, so I used chopped celery and omitted canola oil. This recipe was very tasty! I'm glad that I tried it! delowenstein, TOH Volunteer Field Editor