Poor man’s steak (aka Amish poor man’s steak or hamburger steak) provides all the comfort of steak without the expensive price tag. The juicy hamburger steaks nestle in a creamy mushroom gravy that slow-cooks to perfection. Served over mashed potatoes or noodles, this recipe becomes a hearty dinner that will make you feel quite well-off!
The recipe is so easy to prepare that cooks of any level can pull off this delicious steak and gravy dinner. It’s also one of those classic comfort food recipes that’s easy to make ahead. Prepare the ground beef mixture the night before, and cook the steaks in the slow cooker the next day.
Poor Man’s Steak Ingredients
- Ground beef: You can make hamburger steaks with any type of ground beef, but we recommend avoiding extra lean beef. Blends with more fat (like ground sirloin, ground round or ground chuck) will be juicier and won’t dry out as they cook.
- Saltine crackers: The crackers work as a binder, holding the ground beef together into a firm patty. Saltines are the traditional choice, but feel free to substitute other crushed crackers or dry bread crumbs instead.
- All-purpose flour: Dredging the steaks in flour creates a golden brown crust on the seared beef.
- Condensed cream of mushroom soup: Condensed soup creates a flavorful gravy without any added effort. If you don’t care for mushrooms, you can use another condensed soup like cream of celery or cream of chicken. Homemade cream of chicken soup works in this recipe too.
- Hot mashed potatoes or noodles: Serve the steaks with hot mashed potatoes or noodles to create a hearty, comforting dinner.
- Minced fresh parsley: Parsley is optional. Sprinkle it on the steaks before serving to give them a pop of color and a fresh finish.
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the beef mixture
In a large bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, water, salt and pepper. Crumble the beef over the cracker mixture, and mix lightly but thoroughly. Press the mixture into an ungreased 9-inch square pan. Refrigerate, covered, for at least three hours.
Editor’s Tip: Refrigerating the beef gives the bread crumbs time to soak in the excess moisture, ensuring the patties are firm enough to fry. You can line the pan with aluminum foil or parchment to make it easier to lift the beef mixture out of the pan.
Step 2: Cut the beef mixture into steaks
Cut the beef mixture into 3-inch square steaks, and dredge each steak in flour.
Step 3: Sear the steaks
In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the steaks and cook until browned on both sides, two to three minutes per side. With a slotted spatula or spoon, transfer the steaks to a 3-quart slow cooker and add the soup.
Editor’s Tip: We keep the soup undiluted so it coats each steak with a thick layer of mushroom gravy. If you prefer a thinner sauce, mix the soup with milk or water before adding it to the slow cooker.
Step 4: Slow-cook the steaks
Cook the steaks, covered, on high until the meat is no longer pink, about four hours.
Serve the poor man’s steaks and gravy with mashed potatoes or noodles. If desired, top with minced parsley.
Recipe Variations
- Bake in the oven: Transfer the seared steaks to an oven-safe dish. Add the soup, and bake the hamburger steaks in a 325°F oven for one hour or until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 160°.
- Make on the stovetop: Sear the beef steaks as directed. Reduce the heat to low, and add the soup to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until the beef is cooked through.
- Use another type of ground meat: You can make this poor man’s steak recipe with any ground meat. Try ground turkey, chicken, pork, or a flavorful combination of ground beef and sausage.
- Add seasoning: Feel free to add seasoning to the ground beef mixture. Herbs and spices like Italian seasoning, garlic powder or paprika are always welcome additions to ground beef recipes. For a bolder flavor, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce.
- Include vegetables: Add chopped onions or minced garlic to the ground beef mixture, or add sliced mushrooms to the gravy.
Can you make poor man’s steak ahead of time?
You can prepare the beef mixture in advance and store it in a covered container in the refrigerator. Raw ground meat can last in the fridge for up to two days, so plan to use the prepared beef sooner rather than later. For extended storage, wrap the beef mixture and place it in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze it for up to three months, and thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
How to Store Poor Man’s Steak
Store leftover Amish poor man’s steak in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. To freeze leftover poor man’s steak, pack the steaks and gravy into individual freezer-safe bags. Freeze for up to three months.
Poor Man’s Steak Tips
What is poor man’s steak?
Poor man’s steak is an old-fashioned recipe that forms ground beef combined with seasonings and crushed crackers into patties that resemble steaks. The patties are chilled to help them hold their shape, then fried to create crispy edges. The dish got its name because ground beef is more affordable than steak. The recipe is sometimes called Amish poor man’s steak because it’s included in many Amish cookbooks.
Can you add cheese to poor man’s steak?
You can add shredded cheese to the beef mixture to give the hamburger steaks a cheesy flavor. Alternatively, you can sprinkle shredded cheese onto the steaks during the last five minutes of cooking. Close the lid on the slow cooker to help the cheese melt.
