1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Poor Man's Steak

Amish Poor Man's Steak

Featured in Simple Beef Recipes.

Found this old Amish recipe for beef patties and gave it a try. Just seasoned ground beef, coated them and fried til golden. Then let them bake in mushroom gravy til they got super tender. So simple but tastes like something grandma would make. The gravy got all rich and creamy. Served it over mashed potatoes and everyone cleaned their plates. Perfect when you want some real comfort food. Even better the next day.```
Pin it Share it Send it Print it Jump To Recipe
Mina cooking in her kitchen
Updated on Thu, 09 Jan 2025 18:05:54 GMT
A plate of meatballs covered in a rich brown sauce. Pin it
A plate of meatballs covered in a rich brown sauce. | lastminrecipes.com

My Family's Favorite Poor Mans Steak Recipe

Let me share this amazing poor mans steak recipe that's been keeping my family happy for years. Think juicy hamburger patties fried in butter until golden then smothered in the richest mushroom gravy you've ever tasted. I serve this over mashed potatoes and there's never any leftovers. It's pure comfort food that won't break the bank.

Why This Poor Mans Steak Always Impresses

I love how this poor mans steak transforms simple ingredients into something that tastes like a fancy restaurant meal. The patties stay so tender and that mushroom gravy is absolutely addictive. It's my go to recipe when I need to feed a crowd or want leftovers for busy weeknights.

Everything You Need

  • 2 lb. hamburger: I mix ground chuck and round for the best flavor.
  • 1 cup saltine cracker crumbs: These make the patties so tender.
  • 1 cup milk: Makes everything moist and delicious.
  • ½ small onion: Fresh chopped onion adds great flavor.
  • 1 ½ tsp salt: Just enough to bring out all the flavors.
  • ½ tsp black pepper: Fresh ground is best.
  • ½ tsp chili powder: Adds a tiny kick of flavor.
  • ½ tsp garlic powder: Because everything's better with garlic.
  • ¼–½ cup flour: For that perfect golden crust.
  • 3 tbsp butter: Makes everything taste better.
  • 1–2 cans cream of mushroom soup: The secret to amazing gravy.
  • 1 ½ cups milk: Makes the gravy silky smooth.
A cast-iron skillet filled with savory gravy and several brown, round meat patties garnished with green herbs. Pin it
A cast-iron skillet filled with savory gravy and several brown, round meat patties garnished with green herbs. | lastminrecipes.com

Let's Cook Together

Mix Your Meat
Combine your crackers milk onions and seasonings in a big bowl. Mix in the ground beef then shape into thick patties.
Get That Golden Crust
Coat each patty in flour then fry them in butter until they're beautifully browned.
Make It Saucy
Put those golden patties in a baking dish pour over your mushroom soup mixed with milk cover and bake at 350°F for about an hour.
Time to Eat
Serve it up hot with plenty of gravy over mashed potatoes or noodles.

My Kitchen Secrets

The trick to perfect poor mans steak is using a mix of ground meats for better flavor. Pop your patties in the fridge before frying they'll hold together better. Add more milk if you like lots of gravy and don't be shy with the seasonings.

Switch It Up

Try ground turkey if you want something lighter or venison for a rich flavor. This poor mans steak tastes amazing with creamy mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles. I always make extra gravy because my family can't get enough of it.

A plate of tender meat patties smothered in rich brown gravy. Pin it
A plate of tender meat patties smothered in rich brown gravy. | lastminrecipes.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why is it called Poor Man's Steak?

This dish stretches ground beef to taste like a more expensive cut of meat by adding crackers and milk, then cooking it in gravy until tender.

→ Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the patties a day ahead. Store them covered in the fridge and cook when ready to serve.

→ Why dip the patties in flour?

The flour coating helps create a nice crust when fried and also helps thicken the gravy while baking.

→ Can I use fresh mushrooms instead of cream soup?

Yes, you can make your own mushroom gravy using fresh mushrooms, but the cream soup makes this recipe quick and easy.

→ Why cover while baking?

Covering helps keep the moisture in, making the meat tender and preventing the gravy from reducing too much.

Poor Man's Steak

A comforting Amish dish of seasoned beef patties dipped in flour, fried until golden, and baked in creamy mushroom gravy.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
65 Minutes
Total Time
95 Minutes
By: Mina

Category: Beef

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Amish

Yield: 8 Servings (8 patties)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 2 pounds ground beef.
02 1 cup saltine cracker crumbs (28 crackers).
03 1 cup milk.
04 1/2 small onion, finely chopped.
05 1 1/2 teaspoons salt.
06 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
07 1/2 teaspoon chili powder.
08 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
09 1/4 to 1/2 cup flour for coating.
10 3 tablespoons butter for frying.
11 1-2 cans cream of mushroom soup.
12 1 1/2 cups milk.

Instructions

Step 01

Mix cracker crumbs, milk, onion, and seasonings.

Step 02

Add ground beef and combine well.

Step 03

Shape into 8 thick patties.

Step 04

Coat each patty in flour.

Step 05

Melt butter in large skillet.

Step 06

Fry patties until browned on both sides.

Step 07

Place patties in 9x13 baking dish.

Step 08

Mix mushroom soup with milk.

Step 09

Pour gravy over patties.

Step 10

Cover and bake at 350°F for 50-55 minutes.

Step 11

Uncover and bake 10 more minutes.

Notes

  1. Serve with mashed potatoes or noodles.
  2. You can use water instead of milk in gravy.
  3. Makes enough gravy using just one can soup.
  4. Crush crackers in zip-lock bag.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large skillet.
  • 9x13 baking dish.
  • Rolling pin.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (milk, butter).
  • Wheat (flour, crackers).

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