Description
Amish Poor Man’s Steak is a comforting, hearty dish featuring seasoned ground beef patties baked in a rich homemade beef gravy. This classic recipe combines simple pantry ingredients to create a satisfying meal perfect for family dinners, pairing wonderfully with mashed potatoes, rice, or buttered noodles.
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
- Mix Patties: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, cracker crumbs, milk, chopped onion, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined to avoid overworking the meat.
- Shape and Chill: Form the mixture into rectangular or oval patties about 1 inch thick. Arrange them on a baking sheet or tray, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to help them firm up.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking.
- Sear Patties: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and sear each patty for 2-3 minutes per side until nicely browned. Transfer the seared patties to a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Make Roux: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes while stirring constantly to form a smooth roux without lumps.
- Prepare Gravy: Slowly whisk in beef broth along with onion powder and garlic powder. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes until the gravy thickens. Season with salt and pepper according to taste.
- Combine and Bake: Pour the prepared gravy evenly over the patties in the baking dish. Cover the dish tightly with foil.
- Bake Patties: Bake covered for 45 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes to let the gravy thicken and the flavors meld.
- Serve: Serve the Amish Poor Man’s Steak hot alongside mashed potatoes, rice, or buttered noodles for a complete, hearty meal.
Notes
- Use whole milk for richer, more tender patties, but you can substitute with 2% milk if preferred.
- Chilling the patties helps them hold their shape during cooking.
- If you prefer a smoother gravy, strain it before pouring over the patties.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour and use gluten-free cracker crumbs.
