Salisbury steak was a dish created by a physician by the name of James Salisbury as part of his low-carbohydrate fad diet dating back to the late 1800’s. It was typically served with a brown sauce or gravy. When I think of Salisbury Steak, Swanson’s Hungry-Man Dinner comes to mind. As kids, commercials were practically the truth, and those Hungry-Man ads got me (and I’m sure my brother) hook, line, and sinker. I think my mom bought these “delicacies” for us twice after giving into our whiny pleas. My brother and I just savored the mushy brown patty swimming in a pool of salty brown gravy with a side of mealy mash and mushy green pellets. Oh, and we can’t forget the indiscernible mound that was called dessert. Yum! Suffice it to say, that was the last time I had Salisbury Steak.
istockphoto.com
Salisbury steak made it around the world to the casual eateries or cafes of South Korea. It is better known as hambak steak and is typically served with a side of rice, potato salad, creamy coleslaw or a small salad of iceberg lettuce and shredded carrots. Any combination of the sides with hambak steak is a winner for me. Even a double whammy of carby sides of rice and potato salad is perfection. In Japan, they call this dish hanbagu steak. In Hawaii, the patty is served over a bed of rice and topped with a sunny side egg and called a loco moco. And if you want to get really wild and crazy, serve it on a bun and call it a hamburger.
Notes: If you have tonkatsu sauce, you can certainly substitute the sauce in place of the Worcestershire sauce and omit the soy sauce. Tonkatsu sauce is a sweeter, tangier, and thicker version of Worcestershire sauce. My dear friend, C. T. Schiffer, recommends serving a tonkatsu aioli – a mixture of tonkatsu sauce and Kewpie mayonnaise – with the hambak steak instead of the gravy.
Hambak Steak
Makes 8 patties
For the patties:
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 egg, beaten
1 onion, finely minced
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon soy sauce
2 Tablespoons ketchup
For the Gravy:
2 cups beef broth
1/4 cup ketchup
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon corn starch
1 – In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, panko, garlic, egg, onions, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and ketchup. Roll up your sleeves, get some food-safe gloves on, and get your hands into the bowl. Mix until blended well.
2 – Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and shape into oval patties about 1/2-inch thick.
3 – Heat a couple of tablespoons of cooking oil in a skillet over medium to medium-high heat.
4 – Cook patties until browned, about 4 minutes. Flip the patties and cook patties until browned, about another 3-4 minutes.
5 – Remove the patties and set aside on a plate.
6 – Reduce heat to medium. Pour about 1-3/4 cup of beef broth into the skillet – reserve a 1/4 cup of broth. Add the ketchup and Worcestershire sauce and let simmer for a couple of minutes. Whisk the corn starch into the reserved beef broth and add to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
7 – Add the patties and cook until warmed through, a few minutes each side.
8 – Serve and enjoy!
This week’s Sunday Supper theme is Retro Recipes. These may be old family recipes or dishes that transport us back in time. Here’s what the rest of the Sunday Supper crew is bringing to the table this week.
Sunday Supper Retro Appetizers:
- Irish Cheddar-Whiskey Fondue by girlichef
- She Devils: Beet Pickled Deviled Eggs by Ruffles & Truffles
Sunday Supper Retro Salads:
- Coca-Cola Salad by Magnolia Days
- Salmon Salad | Retro Tuna Salad by Family Foodie
- Ambrosia Salad by Simply Gourmet
- Romaine “Wedge” Salad with Hot Maple Bacon Dressing by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Carrot & Raisin Salad by The Roxx Box
- Sweet & Smoky Broccoli Salad by In The Kitchen with KP
Sunday Supper Retro Breads and Sandwiches:
- Italian Style Bread by The Meltaways
- Creamed Chipped Salmon Jerky on Toast by Pescetarian Journal
- Grown-Up Tuna Melts by Home Cooking Memories
- English Muffin Pizzas by Comfy Cuisine
- Patty Melt, Hand Cut Fries, & a Shake by Mooshu Jenne
- Toast Topper #16: Grandma’s Mock Apricot Jam by What Smells So Good?
SundaySupper Main Dishes:
- Chicken Pot Pie Topped With Bacon Cheddar Biscuits by Chocolate Moosey
- Tuna Noodle Casserole by Country Girl in the Village
- Nana’s Marinated Beef Roast by Supper for a Steal
- Chorizo Scotch Eggs by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- Chicken Maryland by Vintage Kitchen Notes
- Mushroom Stroganoff by Small Wallet Big Appetite
- Dairyfree Toast Hawaii by Galactosemia in PDX
- Porcupine Meatballs by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Chicken Kiev by The Urban Mrs.
- Salmon Quiche with Preserved Lemon by Shockingly Delicious
- Steak Diane by Crispy Bits & Burnt Ends
- Fried Chicken only in the Oven by In the Kitchen with Audrey
- Hambak Steak a.k.a. Salisbury Steak by Kimchi Mom
- Retro-Redo: Homemade TV Dinner by The Little Ferraro Kitchen
- Kicked Up Meatloaf by Curious Cuisiniere
- Shrimp Scampi (a lighter version) by Kudos Kitchen
- Old-Fashioned Pork Chops by My Trials in the Kitchen
- Jägerschnitzel by Sustainable Dad
- Healthier Hamburger-Corn Noodle Casserole by The Weekend Gourmet
- Inspired by Tuna Noodle Casserole by Cookistry
- Chicken-N-Biscuits Pot Pie Casserole by The Messy Baker Blog
- Souper Pork Chops with Mashed Potatoes by Mama.Mommy.Mom
- Meatloaf that will make you swoon and Datz the truth by Midlife Roadtrip
- Spaghetti with Currywurst Sauce by Masala Herb
- Tator Tot Casserole by NeighborFood
Sunday Supper Retro Sides and Veggies:
- Smokey Braised Red Cabbage by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Classic Corn Casserole by The Foodie Army Wife
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Balsamic by Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
- Classic Green Bean Casserole Redux by The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Mem’s Broccoli Casserole by Momma’s Meals
Sunday Supper Retro Desserts and Cocktails:
- Peachy Keen Tutti-Frutti Jello by La Cocina de Leslie
- Old School Boozy Rum Cake by Webicurean
- Individual Baked Alaskas by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Rainbow Jello by Cravings of a Lunatic
- Pineapple Upside Down Cake by Noshing with the Nolands
- Pineapple Bars by Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Creamy Dairy Free Fresh Orange Julius With Coconut Milk by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
- Refrigerator Strawberry Cheesecake by There and Back Again
- Frozen Pineapple Upside-Down Cake by Juanita’s Cocina
- Boston Cream Pie by Gotta Get Baked
- Coca-Cola Cupcakes by Daily Dish Recipes
- Jello Poke Cake by Flour On My Face
- Devil’s Food Cake by Maroc Mama
- Bread Pudding with Pecans by Basic and Delicious
- Victoria Sponge Cake by The Lovely Pantry
- A Chocolate Twist on the Classic Japanese Strawberry Shortcake by Ninja Baking
- Post War Apple Pudding by My Cute Bride
- Layered Mini Chocolate Banana Cakes by Big Bears Wife
- Raspberry Jam Cakes by Pippis in the Kitchen Again
- Cocktail: Moscow Mule by Crazy by Crazy Foodie Stunts
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the#SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.
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The fancy hanbaga steak with the fried egg on top brings back many wonderful memories. Blessings to your friend, Amy for thinking up the divine mix of Tonkatsu sauce and Kewpie mayo. Yum!
Yes, I have to restock and splurge on some Kewpie mayo!
I remember that tv dinner! My Dad loved it!! Your recipe is sooooooooo much better! Looks wonderful!
So retro and yet, so delicious! I love your version, and I’ll have to look up that Worcestershire substitute!
I so remember this dish being served as a kid. Thank you for revisiting a child hood favorite. I have not introduced my kids to a Salisbury steak and I think it is about time that changed.
This takes me back! (Except your version is much better.)
I always think of the Hungry Man frozen dinners when I think of Salisbury Steak! I think your version looks pretty incredible in comparison!
Your version sounds delicious! Love the way you explained those ingredients in the frozen dinner! :o)
I’ve been wanting to make homemade salisbury steaks. Uhg I remember those TV dinners that picture brought back bad memories haha
This sounds so much better than the salisbury steaks of my childhood! Definitely an easy, delicious dinner! Perfect for Sunday Supper!
Yours looks WAY better than the SS I’ve had over the years!
My husband’s grandmother made this for me the first time I met her, I LOVED it and had never had Salisbury Steak before! Yours looks fabulous!
Salisbury steak, I have not had that forever, a true retro dish, love it!!
Oh, I love salisbury steak. I haven’t had it since I was a kid. Great pick!
I don’t know that I’ve ever eaten a version of this NOT baked in the microwave! I can’t wait to try this recipe, it sounds so good.
I adore salisbury steak, and I love making them homemade. These look delish!
ROFL!!! Your version is SO much more appealing than the space-age version!
😀 Thanks!
I love your take on this.
The name brings so many memories, my grandfather loved it. Your take on it is wonderful!
Love all the background you gave us on hambak…it’s so fun hearing how things are done in other places. Your version of a salisbury steak sounds much better than any I’ve ever had!
I know, it’s fun seeing how other cultures adapt dishes from others.
I almost made my version of this dish for this week’s retro challenge. We’ve made salisbury steak twice in the past couple months. I love your take on it and it is far more simple than the version I’m currently making. Will have to give this a try. Thanks.
Give it a try! I looked at Ree Drummond’s recipe and it sounded/looked really good. I might have to give her recipe a try…
This sounds great 🙂 Well, truth be said not so much the Hungry Man frozen dinners but this certainly is something I would have also enjoyed as a kid 🙂
Interesting how it made it to Asia 🙂 ~ Bea @ galactosemia in PDX
Amy, I gagged a bit thinking about the gross mushy “food” in the Hungry Man microwave dinners. Kids are so gullible eh? I used to want to eat all the stuff I saw in commercials. My favourite freezer food was McCain’s pizza pockets. I doubt I’d be able to stomach it now. Dr. Salisbury was so ahead of his time – he was the Dr. Atkins of the 1800s! Your hambak steak looks phenomenal. I have all of these things in my pantry so I’m going to be making it asap.
I’m thinking about buying a t.v. dinner just for kicks! And yes, Dr. Salisbury was way ahead of his time!
Oh my goodness. My parents would never buy those frozen dinners. I never even had one until I worked in the grocery business and got some samples. Yuck! So funny how you thought it was a treat. I’m liking your version though. I knew I would. You have such great recipes.
It was a “treat” because it was something we rarely had in the house! 😀
I hate to admit it but I love a Salisbury Steak tv dinners. I may have to try your recipe.
I remember liking the tv dinners as a kid despite the “quality” of the items. I should buy one just for kicks!
I never try salisbury steak before. After reading your post, I think I should not miss it! Those sauce added with Worcestershire sauce looks yummy!
Amy, I remember Salisbury steak as it was served in my elementary school. It was a few years later that I realized that it was not awful! I also remember the Salisbury Steak TV dinners as others have mentioned. I’m so impressed with the way yours looks. This was a great addition to the Retro Recipes for #SundaySupper.
Alaiyo
I must say the picture of the TV dinner makes me want to gag! Yours looks so great!
My grandmother used to make these! LOVE them! I always forget the addition of rice, what a staple that is.