Description
Amish Poor Man’s Steak is a comforting, budget-friendly dish featuring seasoned ground beef patties baked in a rich, homemade beef gravy. Perfect for a hearty family meal, this recipe combines simple pantry ingredients with traditional flavors, resulting in tender, flavorful meat covered in luscious gravy. Serve it alongside mashed potatoes, rice, or buttered noodles for a satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Patties
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 cup cracker crumbs (saltines or Ritz)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Gravy
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, cracker crumbs, milk, finely chopped onion, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
- Shape Patties: Form the mixture into rectangular or oval patties about 1 inch thick. Arrange the patties on a baking sheet or tray, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to help them firm up.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to warm up for baking the patties.
- Sear Patties: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Sear each patty for 2-3 minutes on both sides until browned. Then transfer the seared patties into a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Make Gravy Roux: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to create a roux, which will thicken the gravy.
- Add Broth and Seasonings: Gradually whisk in beef broth, onion powder, and garlic powder. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes until it thickens to a gravy consistency. Season with salt and pepper according to taste.
- Combine and Cover: Pour the thickened gravy evenly over the seared patties in the baking dish. Cover the dish tightly with foil to retain moisture while baking.
- Bake: Bake covered for 45 minutes at 350°F (175°C). Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes to let the gravy thicken further and develop flavor.
- Serve: Serve the Amish Poor Man’s Steak hot, paired beautifully with mashed potatoes, rice, or buttered noodles for a complete and comforting meal.
Notes
- Be careful not to overmix the ground beef to keep the patties tender.
- Chilling the patties before cooking helps them hold their shape during searing and baking.
- Use day-old crackers for the best texture when making cracker crumbs.
- You can substitute beef broth with low-sodium broth for a healthier option.
- This dish can be made ahead and reheated gently in the oven.
