Description
Amish Poor Man’s Steak is a comforting, hearty dish featuring seasoned ground beef patties smothered in a rich, flavorful gravy. This classic Amish recipe combines simple ingredients like ground beef, cracker crumbs, and spices, baked to perfection with a homemade beef gravy. It’s perfect for a family dinner served with mashed potatoes, rice, or buttered noodles.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 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
Gravy Ingredients
- 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
- Prepare Meat Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, cracker crumbs, milk, chopped onion, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until just combined to avoid overworking the meat which keeps the patties tender.
- Shape Patties: Form the mixture into rectangular or oval patties about 1 inch thick. Place them on a baking sheet or tray, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to help them firm up and hold shape during cooking.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the patties later.
- Sear Patties: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and sear the patties for 2-3 minutes on each side until they develop a nice brown crust. This step adds flavor and texture. After searing, transfer the patties to a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Make Roux: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, whisking constantly, to create a roux which will thicken the gravy.
- Prepare Gravy: Gradually whisk in the beef broth along with onion powder and garlic powder. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes until it thickens into a smooth gravy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine and Cover: Pour the hot gravy evenly over the seared patties in the baking dish. Cover the dish tightly with foil to retain moisture during baking.
- Bake: Bake the covered patties for 45 minutes. Then remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes to allow the gravy to thicken further and develop deeper flavor.
- Serve: Serve the Amish Poor Man’s Steak hot, pairing it with mashed potatoes, rice, or buttered noodles for a classic comfort meal.
Notes
- Use saltine crackers or Ritz crackers based on your taste preference for the crumbs.
- Chilling the patties before cooking helps them hold their shape better.
- Searing the patties before baking adds a rich texture and depth of flavor.
- You can adjust seasonings in the gravy according to your taste.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, rice, or buttered noodles for a satisfying meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
