Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy preparation: The beef patties require only a few minutes to mix and shape before going into the slow cooker.
- Rich French onion flavor: French onion soup and onion soup mix create a deeply savory gravy with very little effort.
- Tender beef patties: Slow cooking keeps the Salisbury steak moist and tender.
- Plenty of gravy: Beef broth and French onion soup provide enough flavorful gravy for spooning over your favorite side dishes.
- Cheesy finish: Provolone melts over each patty for a creamy, slightly tangy finishing touch.
- Family-friendly: The familiar combination of beef, gravy, onions, and cheese makes this an approachable comfort-food dinner.
- Great for busy days: Once everything is in the Crock Pot, the meal requires very little attention until serving time.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1½ pounds lean ground beef, preferably 90/10
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can French onion soup
- 1 (1-ounce) packet French onion soup mix
- 1 cup unsalted beef broth
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 4 slices provolone cheese
Directions
- Add the ground beef, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, breadcrumbs, egg, and Worcestershire sauce to a large mixing bowl.
- Gently mix the ingredients until just combined. Avoid overworking the ground beef, as this can make the finished patties dense or tough.
- Divide the beef mixture into four equal portions and shape each portion into an oval patty.
- Arrange the patties in a 4- to 6-quart oval slow cooker.
- Pour the French onion soup evenly over the beef patties.
- Sprinkle the French onion soup mix over the top.
- Pour the unsalted beef broth into the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours, or until the patties are cooked through and tender.
- Near the end of the cooking time, combine the cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Whisk until completely smooth to make a slurry.
- Stir the cornstarch slurry into the liquid in the slow cooker, working carefully around the patties.
- Cover and continue cooking for another 10–15 minutes, or until the gravy has thickened.
- Place one slice of provolone cheese over each Salisbury steak patty.
- Cover the slow cooker for approximately 5 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted.
- Serve the Salisbury steak hot with plenty of French onion gravy spooned over the top.
Servings and timing
Servings: 4
Prep time: 15 minutes
Slow cook time: 5–6 hours
Additional thickening and melting time: 15–20 minutes
Total time: Approximately 5 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours 35 minutes
For the most tender results, cook the Salisbury steak on LOW. The exact cooking time can vary slightly depending on the slow cooker and the thickness of the patties. Ground beef should reach a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
Variations
Make it mushroom French onion Salisbury steak by adding sliced mushrooms to the slow cooker before cooking. Mushrooms complement the beef and onion flavors and add extra texture to the gravy.
For an even cheesier version, use Swiss, Gruyère, mozzarella, or an additional slice of provolone on each patty. Swiss and Gruyère are particularly good choices if you want to emphasize the classic French onion flavor.
You can also add thinly sliced onions for more noticeable onion texture. Place them beneath or around the patties so they have plenty of time to soften during slow cooking.
For a slightly richer gravy, replace a small portion of the beef broth with heavy cream near the end of cooking. Add it after the cornstarch slurry and allow the sauce to heat through.
If you prefer a more herbaceous flavor, add a small amount of dried thyme or Italian seasoning to the beef mixture.
For serving, try the Salisbury steak over creamy mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, white rice, or cauliflower mash. Roasted green beans, broccoli, carrots, or a simple salad also work well alongside this rich main dish.
Storage/Reheating
Allow leftover Salisbury steak and gravy to cool before transferring them to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
For the best results, store the patties with some of the gravy. The gravy helps keep the beef moist while refrigerated and during reheating.
To reheat on the stovetop, place the Salisbury steak and gravy in a covered skillet or saucepan over low to medium-low heat. Heat gently until warmed through, adding a small splash of beef broth if the gravy has become too thick.
Individual portions can also be reheated in the microwave. Place a patty and some gravy in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in short intervals until thoroughly hot.
For longer storage, freeze the cooked Salisbury steak with its gravy in a freezer-safe container for up to 2–3 months. For best texture, consider adding fresh cheese after reheating rather than freezing the patties with the provolone topping.
Thaw frozen leftovers overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of ground beef?
Yes. Ground beef with a slightly higher fat percentage can be used and may produce especially juicy patties. If using fattier ground beef, however, you may notice more fat collecting in the gravy.
Do I need to brown the Salisbury steak patties first?
No. The patties can go directly into the slow cooker, which keeps preparation quick and easy. If you prefer a browned exterior and deeper beef flavor, you can briefly sear them in a skillet before transferring them to the Crock Pot.
Can I cook Crock Pot French Onion Salisbury Steak on HIGH?
LOW heat is preferable because the longer cooking time helps produce tender patties. If necessary, you can cook the dish on HIGH, but begin checking the patties earlier and make sure they reach 160°F (71°C) internally.
Why should I use unsalted beef broth?
French onion soup and packaged onion soup mix can already contain a considerable amount of sodium. Unsalted beef broth gives you better control over the final seasoning and helps prevent the gravy from becoming overly salty.
What can I substitute for provolone cheese?
Swiss cheese, Gruyère, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack can all work. Swiss or Gruyère will give the dish a flavor particularly reminiscent of traditional French onion soup.
How do I keep Salisbury steak from becoming tough?
Mix the beef mixture only until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing compacts the ground beef and can result in firmer patties. Gently shaping the patties also helps maintain a tender texture.
Why isn’t my gravy thickening?
Make sure the cornstarch is completely mixed with the water before adding it to the slow cooker. After adding the slurry, give the gravy another 10–15 minutes to thicken. Slow cookers vary in temperature, so yours may require a little additional time.
Can I add fresh onions to the slow cooker?
Yes. Thinly sliced yellow or sweet onions are an excellent addition. Place them around or underneath the patties before adding the soup and broth. They will soften considerably as the dish cooks.
What should I serve with French Onion Salisbury Steak?
Mashed potatoes are an excellent choice because they soak up the rich onion gravy. Egg noodles, rice, roasted potatoes, cauliflower mash, green beans, broccoli, and roasted vegetables are also good options.
Can I prepare the patties ahead of time?
Yes. Mix and shape the beef patties in advance, place them in a covered container, and refrigerate them until you’re ready to cook. For food safety and best quality, prepare them no more than about a day ahead.
Conclusion
Crock Pot French Onion Salisbury Steak turns simple ingredients into a satisfying comfort-food dinner with minimal hands-on preparation. Tender seasoned beef patties slowly cook in a savory French onion gravy before being finished with melted provolone cheese.
The combination of beef, onions, rich gravy, and cheese makes this an especially cozy meal for serving over mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice. With only about 15 minutes of preparation and the slow cooker handling most of the cooking, it is an easy recipe to keep on hand for busy days when you still want a hearty homemade dinner.
Crock Pot French Onion Salisbury Steak
Tender slow-cooked Salisbury steak patties simmered in a rich French onion gravy and finished with melted provolone cheese. An easy, comforting Crock Pot dinner with plenty of savory flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Calorie
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds lean ground beef (I used 90/10)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 10.5 ounce can French onion soup
- 1 ounce packet French onion soup mix
- 1 cup unsalted beef broth
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 Tablespoons water
- 4 slices provolone cheese (for topping)
Instructions
- In a bowl, add the ground beef, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, breadcrumbs, egg, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix until just combined.
- Form the beef mixture into 4 oval-shaped patties.
- Place the patties into a 4-6 quart oval slow cooker.
- Pour the French onion soup over the patties and sprinkle the French onion soup mix on top.
- Add the unsalted beef broth.
- Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours, until the patties are tender and cooked through.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth.
- Stir the cornstarch slurry into the slow cooker and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the gravy thickens.
- Top each patty with a slice of provolone cheese. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
Notes
- Using unsalted beef broth helps control the saltiness because the French onion soup and soup mix already contain sodium.
- Mix the ground beef only until combined to help keep the patties tender.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, egg noodles, rice, or vegetables to make the most of the French onion gravy.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat with the gravy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Salisbury steak with gravy
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1450 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 44 g
- Cholesterol: 175 mg
