Y’all, I am so happy to share my Classic Hamburger Steak Recipe with Country Pepper Gravy with you in this post. So get ready for a delicious supper that is quick and easy to whip up making it perfect for those busy weeknights.
We had hamburger steaks a lot back in the day when I was growing up. Almost too much. Folks had to do what they had to do though to feed a whole family on a tight budget back then. Now I consider a good ole hamburger steak a comfort food.
When you’re craving some good ole comfort food, there ain’t nothing quite like sinking your teeth into one of these juicy seasoned ground beef patties smothered in a rich, velvety gravy.
That country gravy made with pan drippings and plenty of pepper is down right sinful because it is so good!
Now, let’s head into my kitchen so I can share with you how I like to take humble hamburger patties and transform hamburger steaks into a delicious meal that you’re gonna love!
Hamburger Steaks and Gravy
Doesn’t that look delicious? YUM! That luscious gravy over those tasty hamburger steaks on a plate with your favorite sides, like mashed potatoes, rice, or a side of green beans is what I’d call Southern comfort on a plate.
We are some gravy loving people in this house, but if you aren’t, be sure to check out my hamburger steaks with sautéed bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms recipe.
How to make Hamburger Steaks
My friend, you won’t believe just how simple it is to make this easy hamburger steak and gravy meal. It takes just a few of the most basic ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need…and don’t worry there is a printable recipe card further down in the post with all of the details.
- Ground Beef – ground chuck or an 80/20 blend is perfect because you’ll want those flavorful pan drippings to make the gravy.
- Kosher Salt
- Cracked Black Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Chili Powder – optional, but I do recommend.
- Cooking Oil– just a little bit.
Now, that is all that I use to season the hamburger patties. You can get all fancy if you want and add other stuff and mix it into your meat mixture like Worcestershire sauce (or other sauces), egg, bread crumbs, or other extra seasonings.
Personally, I don’t think anything else if required for classic hamburger steaks. If you go mixing a bunch of stuff into a ground beef mixture then you on the verge of making a meatloaf, right?
- For the Gravy you’ll need: the rendered fat pan drippings, flour, milk, salt, and pepper.
Simple Hamburger Steaks Recipe
Now, allow me to share a tip that I love to use with you. It is completely optional, but I do like to use my food scale to weigh out my ground beef then use a burger press to make sure they are all the same size and cook evenly.
You can prep the meat ahead of time if you like so that it is ready to go when you want to cook it. Just make your patties and place on a parchment lined baking sheet and cover with some plastic wrap then refrigerate until needed.
Another make ahead storage option, you could place parchment squares between the meat in an airtight container bowl with a lid also if that works better for you and refrigerate.
Let’s talk about seasoning that meat, y’all! That is the first step and I wanted to show you up close how you need to liberally sprinkle those good seasonings on each side of those hamburger patties.
The amount of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder that I recommend in my recipe is enough to season each side of six hamburger steaks and there won’t be any seasoning mixture left over.
The easy steps for preparing delicious hamburger steaks with gravy
Let’s get cooking’, good lookin’! Y’all heat up a large skillet on your stove top over medium-high heat. Once that skillet is nice and hot, add a tablespoon of cooking oil. I use peanut oil, but vegetable oil or whatever you like to use will be fine.
Next, add those seasoned beef patties to the skillet, cooking in batches so you don’t over-crowd the pan.
Adjust the heat down, if needed, so that the beef patties cook without burning.
Hamburger Steaks
The patties will cook, about four minutes per side if you form them into one-third pound sized hamburger steaks like I have.
Once the first side has browned, carefully flip them over and cook the other side until done.
Transfer the cooked hamburger steaks over to a paper towel lined plate or baking sheet to drain excess grease and continue cooking the next batch of beef patties.
How to make the Country Pepper Gravy
Y’all, take a moment to appreciate those pan drippings and those tasty brown bits stuck on the pan after you’ve cooked the meat. That is flavor! It is going to make the homemade gravy recipe so delicious.
If you have reduced the heat under the skillet, then reduce it down to a medium heat setting.
The next step in making the gravy is to evaluate how much pan drippings we have to work with. You will want four tablespoons, or a quarter cup, of grease. If you think you have more then use a spoon to remove some of it to discard.
Old Fashioned Hamburger Steak with Creamy Pepper Gravy
Sprinkle the flour into the skillet with the pan drippings and use a whisk to combine everything together.
Use the whisk to begin working those tasty brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Allow the flour to cook a few minutes. Because we cooked hamburger meat in the pan and the skillet is good and hot the flour will turn a golden brown, and that is exactly what it should do.
That Country Gravy is so Good!
Next, pour in two cups of milk along with some salt and pepper to season the gravy. I use whole milk, or what we called “sweet milk” growing up. Whisk to combine the milk into flour mixture.
Continue to work any of those brown bits from the bottom of pan and allow the gravy to come to a light boil.
You will notice that the gravy will thicken as it cooks.
Switch over to a spatula and use the spatula to scrape a line through the middle of the pan of gravy. If the gravy is thick enough it will leave a space and be slow to come back together. You know that it is ready.
Check the gravy for seasoning and make sure it taste to your liking and adjust if needed. Remove the gravy from the heat and set aside or carefully transfer it into a serving dish.
We’ve made a classic country pepper gravy here, but let me share a couple of simple variations that you can try by making a change or two to the recipe.
- Onion Gravy: if you want onion gravy then add some diced onions to the skillet pan drippings and sauté for a few minutes before you add the rest of the ingredients. Then, follow the rest of the recipe.
- Brown Gravy: if you want a brown gravy then use beef stock instead of milk to prepare the gravy.
I would like to also mention that if you find yourself without any milk to make the creamy gravy, use water. Water will make a fine gravy too.
Hamburger Steak Recipe
Below is the printable recipe card for these delicious hamburger steaks. Wasn’t that easy, my friend? In no time at all you have yourself a wonderful classic comfort food meal of Hamburger Steaks with Gravy.
Classic Hamburger Steak Recipe with Country Pepper Gravy: the must make comfort food
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Ground Beef: Ground Chuck or an 80/20 blend formed into ⅓ pound patties.
- 1½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1 teaspoon Cracked Black Pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Chili Powder: optional but recommended I use McCormick’s
- ½ tablespoon Oil I used peanut oil
The Gravy
- ¼ cup Rendered Fat from cooking the Hamburger Patties 4 tablespoons
- ¼ cup Flour all purpose or self-rising will work fine for gravy
- 2 cups Milk I use whole sweet milk
- Salt and Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet on the stove top over medium-high heat.
- In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder.
- Use the seasoning mixture to liberally season each side of the formed hamburger patties.
- Add the oil to the hot skillet then carefully add in some of the seasoned hamburger patties. Cook in batches so you don't over-crowd the pan. Brown on side one, carefully flip and continue cooking on the other side. About 4 minutes per side. Transfer the cooked hamburger steaks to a paper towel lined sheet pan then cook the remaining patties.
- Reduce the heat, if you haven't already, to medium to prepare the gravy.
- Check the pan drippings to ensure that you have about 4 tablespoons (or ¼ cup) of rendered grease. If you have excess then use a spoon to remove some of it, transferring it to a small bowl to cool then discard.
- Next, add the flour to the skillet with the pan drippings and use a whisk to combine; work to remove some of the bits left on the bottom of the pan which will add more flavor to the gravy.
- Allow the flour mixture to cook about 4 minutes.
- Next, add the milk and salt and pepper; whisk to combine and brink to a low boil simmer.
- Taste the gravy and adjust seasonings if needed. Once thickened and bubbly; remove from the heat. (See full post for more tips and variations for making gravy).
- Serve gravy over the hamburger steaks with favorite sides.
Recommended Products
Notes
Nutrition
After the Photo Shoot, This Happens
Y’all, I just had to show you what happens after I finish photographing my recipe to share with y’all. There’s usually hungry drooling people watching me and waiting anxiously for me to finish up.
So, when I gave the word that they could dig in, my husband dumps a bunch more pepper on the gravy and digs in. Haha, he loves that pepper! I do too, really.
What to Serve with Hamburger Steaks and Gravy
If you need a few ideas on what to serve with hamburger steaks, I’ve got a few to share.
- Mashed Potatoes
- Baked Potatoes
- French Fries or Pan Fried Potatoes
- Cooked Rice
- Green Beans
- Macaroni and Cheese
- Salad of English Sweet Peas
- Side Salad
- Coleslaw
- Biscuits or Cornbread Muffins
And, don’t forget something to wet your whistle, a glass of sweet tea, lemonade, water, or other beverage of choice will do nicely.
Remember, friend, it is not what is on the plate that matters, it is who you’re enjoying a delicious meal with that means so much. So, enjoy this classic hamburger steak recipe with country pepper gravy with a friend or family and enjoy every delicious bite!
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Classic Hamburger Steak Recipe with Country Pepper Gravy
So, y’all, next time you’re hankering for a taste of down-home goodness, whip up these classic hamburger steaks with creamy pepper gravy.
They’re sure to satisfy even the heartiest of appetites and bring a smile to your loved ones’ faces.
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From my kitchen to yours, happy cooking and even happier eating!
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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Trish
Saturday 2nd of March 2024
This was so good I served with mashed potatoes and some honey cornbread! Hubby devoured it and has already requested is again lol
Julia Jordan
Saturday 2nd of March 2024
I'm so happy that y'all enjoyed it! Thanks for letting me know that you did :) ~Julia