What is Amish Poor Man’s Steak?

Amish Poor Man’s Steak is a budget-friendly comfort dish made from seasoned ground beef patties cooked in a rich onion-based gravy. It’s a twist on Salisbury steak, tailored by Amish home cooks to maximize flavor with minimal fuss.

What is the poor man’s steak cut?

Despite the name, there’s no special cut instead, lean-to-medium ground beef is used. The magic happens in shaping and simmering the patties in gravy, yielding a steak-like experience without the cost of prime cuts.

Is Salisbury steak a real steak?

Salisbury steak isn’t a traditional steak cut but a ground beef patty seasoned and served with gravy. Amish Poor Man’s Steak is a close cousin, often featuring unique spice blends and gravy variations like poor man’s steak with mushroom gravy .

What to eat with poor man’s steak?

Classic pairings include creamy mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or buttered rice. For a vegetable side, try steamed green beans or our Amish Cucumber Salad Recipe to balance the richness.

Amish Poor Man's Steak Recipe

Name: Amish Poor Man's Steak
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Amish
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend); ½ tsp garlic powder; ¼ tsp ground nutmeg; Salt and pepper to taste; 2 tbsp butter; 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced; 2 tbsp all-purpose flour; 2 cups beef broth; Optional: ½ cup sliced mushrooms

Description

A comforting Amish classic, this Poor Man’s Steak turns humble ground beef into a tender, flavorful meal simmered in rich onion gravy.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp butter
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cups beef broth
Optional: ½ cup sliced mushrooms

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Instructions

In a bowl, mix ground beef, garlic powder, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Form into 6–8 thin patties. Chill for 10 minutes.
Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high. Sear patties 2–3 minutes per side until browned. Set aside.
In the same pan, sauté sliced onion (and mushrooms if using) for 5 minutes.
Sprinkle flour over onions, stir to coat, and cook for 1 minute.
Gradually whisk in beef broth, scraping browned bits from the pan.
Bring to a simmer, then nestle patties into the gravy. Cover and cook on low for 10–12 minutes.
Let rest off-heat for 5 minutes before serving over mashed potatoes or egg noodles.

Notes

For a cheesy twist, top patties with shredded cheddar in the last minute of cooking. Prepare gravy and patties ahead for easier assembly.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Amish

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate
Calories: 520
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 780mg
Fat: 35g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Unsaturated Fat: 18g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 7g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 32g
Cholesterol: 95mg