Servings
4–6 servings
Time
- Prep: 20 minutes
- Cook: 5–6 hours LOW or 3–4 hours HIGH
- Total: about 6 hours
Ingredients
Hamburger steaks
- 1½ lb (680 g) ground beef
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Peppers & onions
- 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
Gravy
- 2 cups (480 ml) low-sodium beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp cold water
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
Method
1. Make the patties
Combine ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Mix gently—don’t overwork the meat. Shape into 4–6 thick oval patties.
2. Brown the patties
Heat oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the patties for about 2–3 minutes per side. They don’t need to be fully cooked yet; browning adds extra flavor.
3. Prepare the slow cooker
Place the sliced onion and bell peppers in the bottom of the slow cooker. Arrange the browned hamburger steaks on top.
4. Make the gravy
Whisk together beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, Dijon mustard, garlic powder and black pepper.
5. Add the gravy
Pour the mixture over the beef patties and vegetables.
6. Slow cook
Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the beef is thoroughly cooked and tender.
7. Thicken the gravy
Mix cornstarch with cold water until smooth. Stir it into the cooking liquid during the final 15–20 minutes and cook until the gravy thickens.
8. Serve
Spoon the rich gravy, peppers and onions over each hamburger steak. Serve with mashed potatoes, rice or vegetables.
Food Safety
Ground beef should reach 160°F (71°C) internally. Use a food thermometer to check the thickest part of a patty.
Nut & Allergen Information
Nuts: Naturally nut-free when all packaged ingredients are produced without nut cross-contact.
Contains:
- Egg
- Milk/dairy from milk
- Wheat/gluten if using regular breadcrumbs
Possible allergens: Worcestershire sauce, mustard, breadcrumbs and broth can contain or be processed with soy, wheat, dairy or other allergens. Check labels if needed.
Approximate Nutrition
Per serving, assuming 6 servings:
- Calories: ~400–450 kcal
- Protein: ~30–34 g
- Carbohydrates: ~18–22 g
- Fat: ~23–27 g
- Fiber: ~3–4 g
- Sodium: varies depending on broth and Worcestershire sauce
Q&A
Q: Can I skip browning the patties?
Yes, but browning gives them a deeper flavor and better appearance.
Q: Can I use only green and red peppers?
Absolutely. The yellow pepper is mainly for extra color and sweetness.
Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes. Use certified gluten-free breadcrumbs and check the labels of the Worcestershire sauce and broth.
Q: What can I serve with it?
Mashed potatoes, white rice, roasted vegetables or a simple green salad all work well.
Q: Can I store leftovers?
Yes. Refrigerate promptly in a covered container and use within 3–4 days.