Southern Style Turkey Salisbury Steak with Gravy Recipe

Hey y’all! If you’re looking for a down-home, stick-to-your-ribs kinda meal that’s both comforting and easy to make, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we’re talkin’ about Southern-Style Turkey Salisbury Steaks with Gravy—a classic dish with a little bit of a lighter twist. It is so good, y’all!

Now, don’t go thinking just ‘cause we’re using turkey that we’re skimping on flavor. I also know that some of y’all think that I am trying to trick y’all into thinking that turkey is beef in recipes and I am doing no such thing, honey! I say right from the get go that this is turkey! Turkey, turkey turkey! I love beef, but I love turkey too.

These juicy, well-seasoned chopped turkey patties are pan-seared to golden perfection, then smothered in the most luscious homemade onion and mushroom gravy you ever did taste. MMM MMM, makes my mouth water!

These homestyle turkey steaks in gravy have got all the rich, savory goodness of traditional Salisbury steak but with a little leaner protein to keep things balanced. Serve it up with some creamy mashed potatoes, buttery biscuits, or a side of Southern green beans, and you’ve got yourself a meal that’ll have everyone comin’ back for seconds!

Try it for yourself and you’ll see! Now, let’s head into the kitchen and get to cooking this delicious meal!

Ground Turkey Steaks with Onion Mushroom Gravy

Rich homemade onion and mushroom gravy simmering over ground turkey patties

Friends, you will love these turkey steaks smothered in that rich gravy! It is easy to put together and you’ll have it on the table in no time.

Country-style turkey steaks with gravy can be served up with a variety of sides making this a versatile go to option for your menu rotation.

This easy dinner recipe is one of those classic meals the whole family will love, including your picky eaters!

Tips for the Best Turkey Salisbury Steaks

A blue and white plate with a serving of turkey salisbury steak in a rich onion and mushroom gravy with mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus and a bit of parsley garnish

Y’all, before I share a few tips, just look at that mouthwatering plate of food! Doesn’t that look amazing? Yum!

  1. Do not overwork the meat – give it a quick mix and gently form the patties to maintain a nice tender texture to the patties.
  2. Use turkey meat with a little fat– I prefer the 93%lean with 7% fat ratio because the extra fat helps keep the meat more moist.
  3. Chilling the patties before cooking can help them hold their shape better, but I do recommend the two spatula method when cooking meat patties. Use one to flip and the other to gently guide it down into the pan. I also love that the 2 spatula method means that you do not have to add extra fillers as a binder to your turkey meat – like eggs or bread crumbs. My recipe uses none of that and turn out perfectly!
  4. A good sear on each side of the meat adds flavor!
  5. Don’t be afraid to season the turkey meat! There is not much flavor to turkey so seasoning is important.
  6. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat, place in an oven safe dish and cover with foil and reheat in a 350°F degree oven until warmed through, about 30 minutes. Leftovers can also be reheated in the microwave.

Ingredients you’ll need

some ingredients laid out on a work table for preparing ground turkey steaks

Here is what you’ll need to prepare this Turkey Salisbury Steak and Gravy recipe:

  • Cooking Oil – for frying and the base of your homemade gravy. I used canola in this dish, but also love peanut oil for frying. I tend to stay away from olive oil when I plan on using drippings to make gravy.
  • Ground Turkey – as mentioned above, a 97% lean to 7% fat ration is best.
  • Seasonings – kosher salt, cracked black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, creole seasoning (optional).
  • Onion – I like yellow onion or sweet onion for this recipe.
  • Sliced Mushrooms – I used white button mushrooms but baby bellas will work fine too.
  • All Purpose Four
  • Chicken Stock – or chicken broth.
  • Better than Bouillon Chicken – optional, but adds extra flavor to the gravy. 

Feel free to add other seasonings or hears that you might enjoy. A splash of Worcestershire sauce or hot sauce can also add a zing of added flavor.

Kitchen Tools that you will find Handy for preparing this dish:

  • Mixing Bowl – To combine the turkey patty ingredients.
  • Sheet Pan lined with Parchment – I find helpful to rest my patties here before cooking.
  • Large Skillet or Cast-Iron Pan – For searing the patties and making the gravy. I used my large stainless skillet to get the job done.
  • Two Spatulas  – To flip the patties without breaking them. One for under the meat to flip, the other to gently guide it down into the pan.
  • Whisk – To blend the gravy smoothly.
  • Measuring Spoons – For precise ingredient measurements. Or, season with your heart!
  • Cutting Board & Knife – To dice onions, slice mushrooms, and prep ingredients.
  • Plate or Baking Sheet – To rest cooked patties while preparing the gravy.
  • Meat Thermometer – To ensure the patties reach 165°F internally.
  • Wooden Spoon – For stirring and scraping up flavorful bits from the pan.

These tools are helpful, but not required, use what you’ve got!

Step-by-Step Instructions

pan frying chopped turkey patties

Begin by prepping your ingredients so that you have everything ready to go during the cooking process.

In a large bowl, combine the seasonings with the turkey. Use a spatula to gently mix to combine ground turkey with the seasonings. Don’t overmix the meat mixture, just enough until it is combined.

Next, form four, four ounce patties, just as you would form hamburger steak beef patties, and set the turkey patties aside to rest for a few minutes until you are ready to cook them.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the cooking oil then gently place all of the patties into the hot skillet.

The turkey patties will cook about three minutes per side. Once the first side is done, use two spatulas to gently flip, use one spatula under the turkey patty to turn and the other to gently lower into the pan.

Finish cooking the other side then transfer the ground turkey steaks to a plate or sheet pan to rest while you make the gravy.

a skillet with diced onion and mushrooms

Next, add the onions and the sliced mushrooms then season them and sauté for about five minutes. Be sure to scrape up those brown flavorful bits (the fond) from the bottom of the pan.

The Rich Gravy for Turkey Steak

simmering onion mushroom gravy to thicken for Salisbury turkey steak

The next step is to add the flour and stir to combine then allow the flour to cook for at least a minute then add the stock and stir to combine everything together. The gravy will thicken almost immediately. If using, go ahead and add the teaspoon of the chicken Better than Bouillon and stir to combine.

Return the turkey patties to the skillet and nestle down into that rich mushroom gravy, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer 15-20 minutes.

Spoon extra gravy over the patties and serve hot with your favorite comforting sides for a delicious Southern meal!

What to Serve with Turkey Salisbury Steaks

Ground turkey patties with gravy

Turkey Salisbury steak in that onion gravy with mushrooms go perfect with classic hearty sides! Here are some delicious options:

Which sides are you choosing to go on your plate with these Southern Style Turkey Salisbury Steaks?

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Southern Style Turkey Salisbury Steak with Gravy Recipe in a large stainless skillet
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Southern-Style Turkey Salisbury Steaks with Gravy Recipe

These Southern-Style Turkey Salisbury Steaks in Gravy are a lighter take on a classic comfort food! Juicy, well-seasoned turkey patties are pan-seared to perfection and smothered in a rich, savory onion gravy. Perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner, this easy recipe pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, rice, or biscuits. Simple ingredients, big flavor, and ready in under an hour!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 426kcal

Ingredients

  • cup Cooking Oil I used Canola
  • 1 pound Ground Turkey – recommend 97% lean with 7% fat ratio
  • 1 ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt plus 1/2 teaspoon for veggies and gravy
  • ½ teaspoon Cracked Black Pepper plus 1/2 teaspoon for veggies and gravy
  • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
  • ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • ½ teaspoon Creole Seasoning optional
  • For the Gravy
  • 1 Onion diced
  • 8 ounces Sliced White Mushrooms
  • 3 tablespoons All Purpose Flour
  • 2 cups Chicken Stock
  • 1 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon Roasted Chicken Base optional, but recommended

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey and seasonings, then Mix gently until just combined.
  • Divide the mixture into 4 four ounce equal portions and shape them into patties.
  • Place patties on a plate and set aside until ready to cook.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the cooking oil.
  • Add the patties to the skillet and sear for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. (They don’t have to be fully cooked yet.)
  • Remove the turkey patties from the skillet, transfer to a plate or sheet pan and set aside.
  • In the same skillet, add the diced onions and sliced mushrooms. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and slightly caramelized.
  • Sprinkle in the flour, stirring constantly for 1 minute to create a roux.
  • Slowly pour in the chicken stock, while whisking or stirring to prevent lumps. The gravy will thicken quickly. Taste and adjust for seasoning if needed.
  • Return the turkey patties to the skillet, nestling them into the gravy. Reduce heat to low, and let simmer for 20 minutes or until the patties are cooked through (internal temp of 165°F).
  • Serve the turkey patties hot with plenty of that delicious gravy alongside your favorite sides for a delicious home cooked meal!

Notes

See the full post for more tips for preparing delicious Turkey Salisbury Steaks with Gravy, tools you might need, and serving and side suggestions.

Nutrition

Serving: 1patty | Calories: 426kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 1127mg | Potassium: 610mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 192IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 2mg

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Southern Style Turkey Salisbury Steak with Gravy Recipe

Well, y’all, there you have it—Southern-Style Turkey Salisbury Steaks with Gravy that’ll warm your heart and fill your belly. This dish is simple, satisfying, and packed with all the good ol’ Southern flavors we love. Whether you’re serving it up for a cozy weeknight supper or a special Sunday dinner, it’s bound to be a hit at your table.

So go on, grab a plate, spoon on a little extra gravy (because let’s be real, there’s no such thing as too much gravy), and enjoy every comforting bite. And if you love this recipe as much as I do, be sure to share it with your family and friends—they’ll thank ya for it!

I am tickled that y’all stopped by and want you to know how grateful I am! Thank you! Enjoy this Southern Style Turkey Salisbury Steak with Gravy Recipe and stop by again soon!

Love and Happy Cooking!

Julia - author and publisher of Julia's Simply Southern Food Blog Recipes

About Julia

Hey Y’all! I’m Julia, the cook and writer behind the recipes here at Julia’s Simply Southern. I began my website so that I could share easy to follow recipes that anyone can use to put a home cooked meal on the dinner table. Thanks so much for stopping by!

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2 Comments

  1. Oh! My! Goodness! These delicious looking Turkey Salisbury Steak with mashed potatoes, green beans and biscuits! Perfection on a plate!