What is Amish Poor Man's Steak and how is it made?

Amish Poor Man's Steak is a thick hamburger patty coated in flour, pan-fried in butter, and covered with a rich mushroom gravy. It's essentially a smothered hamburger steak popular in Amish cooking that delivers hearty flavors without expensive cuts of meat. The patties are often made from ground beef mixed with crushed saltine crackers to help bind them, then cooked until golden before adding the savory gravy.

What type of ground beef should I use for the best Poor Man’s Steak?

For flavorful and juicy patties, use a mix of ground round (85/15) and ground chuck (80/20). This combination balances fat and leanness, preventing the patties from drying out. You can also incorporate venison or deer meat, but it’s best combined with ground chuck to maintain moisture, as venison alone tends to be drier.

Can I replace any ingredients in the Poor Man’s Steak recipe?

Yes, substitutions can be made. Saltine cracker crumbs can be swapped with any fine breadcrumbs, but keep in mind this might affect the patty’s texture. Milk in the gravy can be replaced with half and half for a richer sauce, or with water or beef broth for a lighter option. Adjusting these ingredients can tailor the dish to your taste and dietary needs.

How do I keep the hamburger patties from falling apart while cooking?

Using finely crushed saltine crackers acts as a binder by absorbing moisture and holding the patties together. If you switch to panko or other substitutes, adding an egg can improve cohesion. Additionally, refrigerating the patties for about 30 minutes before cooking helps them firm up, making them less likely to crumble during frying.

What side dishes pair well with Amish Poor Man’s Steak?

Amish Poor Man’s Steak is traditionally served with comforting sides like mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles, which complement the mushroom gravy perfectly. The gravy also works well as a sauce to drizzle over these sides, making the meal hearty and satisfying. Steamed vegetables or a simple green salad can add freshness to balance the richness.

Amish Poor Mans Steak Recipe With Rich Flavor In 5 Steps

Name: Amish Poor Mans Steak
Prep time: 1 h 35 min
Cook time: 1 h 5 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Cuisine: Amish
Ingredients: – 2 pounds hamburger; – 1 cup crushed saltine cracker crumbs (about 28 crackers); – 1 scant cup milk; – ½ small finely chopped onion; – 1 ½ teaspoons salt; – ½ teaspoon black pepper; – ½ teaspoon chili powder; – ½ teaspoon garlic powder; – ¼ to ½ cup flour for coating the patties; – 3 tablespoons butter for frying; – 1 or 2 cans cream of mushroom soup for the gravy; – 1 soup can milk (approximately 1 ½ cups) for the gravy

Ingredients

– 2 pounds hamburger

– 1 cup crushed saltine cracker crumbs (about 28 crackers)

– 1 scant cup milk

– ½ small finely chopped onion

– 1 ½ teaspoons salt

– ½ teaspoon black pepper

– ½ teaspoon chili powder

– ½ teaspoon garlic powder

– ¼ to ½ cup flour for coating the patties

– 3 tablespoons butter for frying

– 1 or 2 cans cream of mushroom soup for the gravy

– 1 soup can milk (approximately 1 ½ cups) for the gravy

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1-First, gather all your ingredients and mix 2 pounds of hamburger with 1 cup of crushed saltine cracker crumbs, 1 scant cup of milk, ½ small finely chopped onion, 1 ½ teaspoons of salt, and ½ teaspoon each of black pepper, chili powder, and garlic powder in a large bowl. Shape the mixture into eight thick patties and coat each one with ¼ to ½ cup of flour for a nice crust. This step ensures the patties hold together and get that golden sear.

2-Next, melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat and fry the patties on both sides until they’re browned. Once done, place them in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. For the gravy, combine 1 or 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup with about 1 ½ cups of milk, then pour it over the patties. Bake covered at 350°F for 50 to 55 minutes, and then uncover and bake for another 10 minutes to thicken everything up.

Last Step:

Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.

Notes

🍔 Use a mix of ground round and ground chuck for best texture.
🥄 Crush saltine crackers finely for optimal moisture absorption.
🥚 Add an egg if patties don’t hold together well for firmer texture.
🍄 Enhance gravy flavor with fresh mushrooms and onions.
🧈 Mix butter with oil when frying to maintain temperature and prevent burning.

Author: Brandi Oshea
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Searing and baking
Cuisine: Amish
Diet: Standard

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 patty with gravy
Calories: 482 kcal
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 911 mg
Fat: 20 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 45 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 29 g
Cholesterol: 89 mg