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Juicy Poor Man's Steak

Featured in Delicious Meals That Won't Break the Bank.

Tender burger patties with a cracker crumb mix, fried to golden perfection, and covered in a rich mushroom sauce. A hearty Amish classic that's freezer-friendly, easy to prep, and pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes or noodles.
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Ranah
Updated on Sat, 26 Apr 2025 13:54:34 GMT
Baked meat patties in a casserole dish, symbolizing a comforting and affordable meal called poor man's steak. Pin it
Baked meat patties in a casserole dish, symbolizing a comforting and affordable meal called poor man's steak. | tastycoock.com

Turn basic ground beef into a mouthwatering poor man's steak that tastes just as good as pricey cuts. This old-school favorite pairs seasoned beef patties with savory mushroom gravy, making an affordable meal that's packed with flavor. You'll get juicy meat with a crispy outside all covered in smooth, creamy sauce.

Back on our family farm, we'd always look forward to this as our special Sunday treat. The smell of beef cooking and thick gravy would spread through the house, and we'd all rush to grab our seats at the dinner table.

Essential Elements

  • Top-notch ground beef: Mix of chuck and round for better taste
  • Crunchy crackers: Saltines help everything stick together
  • Vidalia onions: Give moisture and sweet undertones
  • Basic spices: Simple seasonings let the meat shine
  • Mushroom soup: Makes the smooth, rich gravy base

Creating Steak Magic

Fix The Foundation
  • Mix your beef with cracker crumbs, milk, and seasonings without overworking it.
Shape Your Steaks
  • Press meat into even, thick patties so they'll all finish cooking at the same time.
Add The Coating
  • Roll each patty in flour until it's completely covered for a nice brown exterior.
Get The Color Right
  • Cook patties in melted butter until they're dark golden brown for extra taste.
Arrange Everything
  • Put your browned patties in a baking dish with some space between them.
Mix The Gravy
  • Stir soup and milk together until smooth, then pour it all over your patties.
Finish It Off
  • Bake everything until the meat feels soft and the gravy is hot and bubbly.

My grandma always told me that taking your time during browning was the real trick to amazing poor man's steak - those crispy edges really make it special.

A casserole dish filled with meatballs, depicting a wholesome and affordable meal often termed poor man's steak. Pin it
A casserole dish filled with meatballs, depicting a wholesome and affordable meal often termed poor man's steak. | tastycoock.com

Serving Suggestions

Make this budget-friendly meal even better by putting it on top of fluffy mashed potatoes that soak up all that yummy gravy. It'll look great with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and some bright green veggies on the side like steamed broccoli or crispy Brussels sprouts. Want the full diner experience? Add buttery corn, fresh coleslaw, and some warm rolls to mop up every bit of sauce on your plate.

Creative Variations

Take this simple dish up a notch by playing with different flavors. Throw in some cooked mushrooms to make the gravy even richer, or mix Italian herbs or Cajun spices into your meat. Try switching up the soup - cream of onion or cream of celery work great too. Need something lighter? Ground turkey or chicken can work if you boost the seasonings a bit. You can also mix cheese into the meat or top everything with slow-cooked onions.

Storage Solutions

Keep your poor man's steak tasting great by storing leftovers in sealed containers. It stays good in the fridge for about three days, so it's perfect for planning meals ahead. Want to save it longer? Stack raw patties between sheets of wax paper and pop them in the freezer for up to three months. When you're warming leftovers up, add a splash of milk or broth to keep the gravy from getting too thick, and heat slowly in your oven or microwave.

A filled casserole dish showcasing meatballs, symbolizing a comforting and economical dish often referred to as poor man's steak. Pin it
A filled casserole dish showcasing meatballs, symbolizing a comforting and economical dish often referred to as poor man's steak. | tastycoock.com

Conclusion

This poor man's steak has kept our family coming back for seconds across multiple generations, showing that you don't need fancy ingredients to make meals people remember. The recipe isn't complicated, but paying attention to how you form and brown your patties makes all the difference. Just remember, true comfort food can't be rushed - let each step do its thing and you'll end up with something truly satisfying.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can breadcrumbs replace saltine crackers?
Absolutely, swap crushed crackers with an equal portion of breadcrumbs.
→ Is there a gluten-free version?
Yes, switch to gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs.
→ How should leftovers be stored?
Keep them sealed in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Warm it gently in the microwave or stovetop.
→ Is freezing this dish possible?
Yes, pack the cooked patties and sauce into portions, freeze for up to 3 months, and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
→ What sides go best with this?
Pair it with roasted veggies, creamy mashed potatoes, or egg noodles to round out the meal.

Juicy Poor Man's Steak

Savory burger patties bathed in creamy mushroom sauce, inspired by traditional Amish comfort meals.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
65 Minutes
Total Time
95 Minutes

Category: Budget-Friendly

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Amish

Yield: 8 Servings (8 patties)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 2 pounds ground beef
02 1 cup of milk
03 28 crushed saltine crackers (about 1 cup)
04 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
05 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
06 1/2 a small onion, minced
07 1/4 to 1/2 cup of flour for coating
08 3 tablespoons butter for pan-frying
09 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
10 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

→ Gravy

11 1 to 2 cans of mushroom soup (cream-based)
12 Fill the soup can with milk (approximately 1 1/2 cups)

Instructions

Step 01

In a big bowl, toss in the milk, cracker crumbs, chopped onion, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Add the ground beef and mix it until everything sticks together well.

Step 02

Split the mixture into 8 even pieces, then press each one into a thick round patty shape.

Step 03

Dust each patty in flour, making sure they’re fully coated on all sides.

Step 04

In a large frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Brown the patties on each side until a golden crust forms.

Step 05

Lay the fried patties in a 9x13-inch dish. Stir the cream of mushroom soup with the milk in a bowl, then pour it all over the patties.

Step 06

Put the dish in a 350°F (175°C) oven, covering it with foil first. Let it cook for 50 to 55 minutes, then remove the foil and bake another 10 minutes.

Step 07

Serve warm alongside buttery noodles, creamy mashed potatoes, or your favorite sides.

Notes

  1. For an easier method, crush the crackers in a sealed plastic bag using a rolling pin.
  2. Use one can of mushroom soup if you prefer less sauce, or two cans for a gravy-lover’s delight.
  3. You can replace milk in the gravy with water if needed.
  4. Leftover patties can stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the fridge overnight before warming up.

Tools You'll Need

  • Big bowl for mixing
  • Plastic bag for crushing crackers (optional)
  • Rolling pin to crush crackers
  • Large frying pan
  • 13x9 inch baking dish
  • Measuring spoons and cups

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes dairy—such as cream of mushroom soup and butter.
  • To make gluten-free, use gluten-free flour and bread crumbs.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 482
  • Total Fat: 20 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 45 g
  • Protein: 29 g