These Slow Cooker Beef Patties are tender, juicy, and simmered in a rich homemade onion gravy until full of comforting flavor. Made with seasoned ground beef, simple pantry ingredients, and a savory gravy, this easy crockpot dinner is perfect for busy weeknights.
The patties slowly cook in a flavorful sauce with onions, garlic, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce, creating a delicious meal that tastes like classic homemade hamburger steaks. Serve them over creamy mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles for a cozy family dinner.
Family favorite
Slow cooker
Comfort food
Recipe Overview
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 4–5 hours on LOW or 2–3 hours on HIGH
- Total time: About 4 hours 20 minutes to 5 hours 20 minutes on LOW
- Servings: 6
- Course: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
- Cooking method: Slow Cooker
Ingredients
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For the beef patties
- 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 or 85/15)
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup plain breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ small onion, finely grated or minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
For the onion gravy
- 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
For cooking
– 1 tablespoon olive oil, for browning patties if desired
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the beef mixture
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, milk, grated onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, paprika, and onion powder.
Mix gently with your hands or a fork until just combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the patties dense.
Step 2: Shape the patties
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Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions.
Shape each portion into an oval patty about ¾ inch thick. Press a small shallow indentation into the center of each patty to help it hold its shape.
Step 3: Brown the beef patties (optional but recommended)
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Working in batches, brown the patties for approximately 2 minutes per side. They do not need to cook through at this stage.
Transfer the browned patties to a plate.
Browning adds a richer flavor and helps the patties hold together during slow cooking.
Step 4: Prepare the onion gravy
In the same skillet, add the sliced onions and mushrooms, if using.
Cook for 4–5 minutes until the onions begin to soften. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
Stir in the tomato paste, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, thyme, and black pepper. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
Step 5: Layer everything in the slow cooker
Spread some of the onion mixture across the bottom of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker.
Arrange the browned beef patties in a single layer as much as possible. Spoon the remaining onions, mushrooms, and gravy mixture over the patties.
Cover with the lid.
Step 6: Slow cook until tender
Cook on:
- LOW: 4–5 hours
- HIGH: 2–3 hours
Cook until the patties are tender and reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) in the center.
Avoid lifting the lid frequently because this releases heat and can extend the cooking time.
Step 7: Thicken the gravy
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Carefully transfer the cooked patties to a serving plate.
In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with cold water until smooth.
Stir the mixture into the hot gravy in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for about 10–15 minutes, until thickened.
Return the patties to the slow cooker and spoon the gravy over them.
Step 8: Serve and enjoy
Spoon the rich onion gravy generously over the beef patties.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm with mashed potatoes, rice, or buttered egg noodles.
Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Beef Patties
- Choose ground beef with some fat: 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef helps keep the patties juicy.
- Don’t overmix: Mix just until the ingredients come together to avoid tough patties.
- Brown before slow cooking: This adds a delicious caramelized flavor to the meat and gravy.
- Use enough gravy: Spoon the onion mixture over the patties so they cook surrounded by moisture.
- Thicken at the end: Adding cornstarch near the end gives you a smooth, rich gravy without making it too thick during cooking.
- Check the temperature: Ground beef patties should reach 160°F (71°C) in the center.
Easy Recipe Variations
- Beef and mushroom patties: Add extra mushrooms for a deeper, savory gravy.
- Cheesy beef patties: Sprinkle shredded cheddar over the patties shortly before serving.
- Garlic herb patties: Add fresh parsley, rosemary, or extra garlic to the beef mixture.
- Pepper gravy: Add sliced green bell peppers and a little extra black pepper.
- Creamy onion gravy: Stir ¼ cup heavy cream into the finished gravy for a creamier sauce.
What to Serve with Beef Patties
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These beef patties taste wonderful with:
- Creamy mashed potatoes.
- Buttered egg noodles.
- Steamed white or brown rice.
- Roasted carrots and green beans.
- Garlic bread or dinner rolls.
- A crisp garden salad.
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftover patties and gravy in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooled patties with gravy in a freezer-safe container for up to 2–3 months for best quality.
- Reheat: Warm gently in a covered saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a splash of beef broth if the gravy has thickened.
- Microwave: Heat individual portions in a microwave-safe dish, stirring the gravy as needed, until steaming hot.
- Food safety: Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and reheat to 165°F (74°C).
Printable Recipe Card
Classic Salisbury Steak with Mushroom-Onion Gravy Recipe | Publix
Slow Cooker Beef Patties with Onion Gravy
Tender homemade ground beef patties slow-cooked in a savory onion and mushroom gravy.
Prep time
20 minutes
Cook time
4–5 hours LOW
Total time
4 hr 20 min–5 hr 20 min
Servings
6
Ingredients
Beef patties
- 2 lb ground beef
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ small onion, grated or minced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
Onion gravy
- 2 medium onions, sliced
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced (optional)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp cold water
- 1 tbsp olive oil for browning
Instructions
- Combine ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, milk, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings.
- Shape into 6 oval patties, approximately ¾ inch thick.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet and brown patties for about 2 minutes per side. They do not need to cook through.
- In the same skillet, sauté sliced onions and mushrooms for 4–5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Stir in tomato paste, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, thyme, and pepper.
- Place some onion mixture in the bottom of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Add patties and cover with the remaining gravy.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours, until the patties reach 160°F internally.
- Transfer patties to a plate. Mix cornstarch and cold water, then stir into the hot gravy.
- Cook gravy on HIGH for 10–15 minutes until thickened.
- Return patties to the slow cooker, coat with gravy, and serve.
Notes
- Brown patties first for the best flavor.
- Do not overmix the ground beef.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.
- Refrigerate leftovers for 3–4 days.
