Slow Cooker Hamburger Steaks with Peppers & Onion Gravy

 Ingredients

For the Hamburger Steaks

• 1½ lb (680 g) ground beef
• ½ small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

For the Gravy

• 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1½ cups beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp cold water
• 1 tbsp olive oil

 Instructions

1. Make the patties: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, diced onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
2. Mix gently until just combined. Divide into 5–6 portions and shape into thick oval patties.
3. Brown the patties: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the patties for about 2–3 minutes per side. They do not need to cook completely at this stage.
4. Prepare the slow cooker: Place sliced onions and bell peppers in the bottom.
5. Arrange the browned hamburger steaks on top of the vegetables.
6. Mix beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, paprika, garlic powder and black pepper. Pour over the meat.
7. Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the beef is fully cooked and tender. Slow-cooker pepper-steak recipes similarly combine beef, peppers, onions and a savory broth-based sauce.
8. Thicken the gravy: Mix cornstarch with cold water until smooth. Stir it into the slow cooker during the final 20–30 minutes on HIGH.
9. Carefully spoon the rich pepper-and-onion gravy over the hamburger steaks.
10. Serve hot with mashed potatoes, rice, egg noodles, or steamed vegetables.

 Nutrition Info

Approx. per serving, without a side:

• Calories: 400–470 kcal
• Protein: 30–35 g
• Carbohydrates: 12–18 g
• Fat: 25–30 g
• Fiber: 2–3 g

 Nut & Allergen Info

• Peanuts: None
• Tree nuts: None
• Dairy: None in the basic recipe
• Egg: Contains egg
• Gluten: Breadcrumbs and Worcestershire sauce may contain gluten
• Soy: Check Worcestershire sauce and breadcrumbs
• For gluten-free preparation, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and certified gluten-free Worcestershire sauce.

 Q/S — Questions & Answers

Q: Can I skip browning the patties?
Yes, but browning first gives them better color and flavor.

Q: Can I use ground turkey?
Yes, but the flavor and texture will be lighter.

Q: Can I make this without breadcrumbs?
Yes. Use about ¼ cup almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs instead. If using almond flour, it will no longer be nut-free.

Q: Can I make the gravy thicker?
Yes. Add another 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water and cook until thickened.

Q: What goes best with it?
Mashed potatoes are especially good because they soak up the pepper-and-onion gravy.