Cracker Barrel Hamburger Steak

These hamburger steaks are pan-fried, smothered in rich onion gravy, and taste like something your Southern grandma would've served—with a side of unsolicited life advice. It’s a Cracker Barrel copycat, but honestly? This version doesn’t come with a gift shop or a wait list. Of course, neither does Cracker Barrel anymore.

🎧 Too busy to scroll? listen instead

Pull up a chair, grab a glass of tea, and hit play. we'll chat about this recipe with tips, tricks, and a few flour-dusted secrets. Then we’ll head on down to Picklefork, Texas, where the Great Hamburger Steak Standoff is in progress.

Table of Contents

• 🎧 Too busy to scroll? listen instead
• 🎥 Hang out with me in the kitchen
• 🗝️ Because gravy fixes everything—including your mood
• 🧾 Ingredients for hamburger steaks and onion gravy
• 📖 Recipe
• 🔪 How to make Cracker Barrel copycat hamburger steaks
• 📚 Related recipes
• 💬 Comments

🎥 Hang out with me in the kitchen

Watch how easy it is to make this Cracker Barrel copycat hamburger steak with onion gravy! It’s juicy, comforting, and comes together in one skillet—no road trip or rocking chair required. Southern comfort food doesn’t get much simpler (or more delicious) than this.

🗝️ Because gravy fixes everything—including your mood

• Made with simple ingredients you probably already have—no grocery store meltdown required
• Juicy, skillet-seared beef patties smothered in rich onion gravy (aka the sauce of Southern legends)
• Tastes like it simmered all day, but it’s ready in under 30 minutes
• Budget-friendly, freezer-friendly, and family-approved—even the picky ones

🧾 Ingredients for hamburger steaks and onion gravy

I love serving hearty comfort food in a cast iron skillet. It just adds to the feeling of welcome home. This is one of my favorite ground beef recipes and guaranteed picky eater friendly (if you fish out the onions and possible mushrooms).

• Lean ground beef – Because we’re classy and trying to avoid a grease puddle big enough to skate on
• Bread crumbs – The humble binder holding your patties (and your weeknight sanity) together
• Worcestershire sauce – The flavor booster with a name nobody pronounces correctly but everyone keeps buying anyway
• Milk – Just a splash to soften things up—think of it as emotional support for your beef
• Egg – Nature’s original food glue
• Salt and pepper – Don’t skip the basics. They’re the Spanx of seasoning.
• Onion powder – Because sometimes you want the flavor without the tears and therapy
• Garlic powder – Garlic makes everything better. That’s just science.
• Butter – It’s Southern law. Don’t question it.
• Flour – For thickening that glorious gravy like your grandma taught you
• Beef stock – Adds depth, richness, and makes you look like you know what you’re doing
• Onions – Sliced, sautéed, and ready to make this gravy the star of the plate

Download this free Hamburger Steak Kitchen Cheat Sheet for tips, storage info, serving suggestions and more!

📖 Recipe

🔪 How to make Cracker Barrel copycat hamburger steaks

This is a great recipe to make for freezer meals. Spend an hour or so making a large number of the patties and then refrigerate or freeze them.

1. Mix the beef patty ingredients.
2. Form into 6 patties about the side of your hand.
3. Sear in a hot skillet.
4. Flip and sear the other side then remove from the pan.

5. Add the onions to the skillet and saute until they begin to brown. Add the butter.
6. When the butter is melted stir in the flour and whisk for 1 minute.
7. Whisk in the beef stock and simmer until it thickens.
8. Add the patties back to the gravy, cover, and simmer 20 minutes.

📚 Related recipes

• If you want a simple comfort food recipe that only requires 10 minutes of prep, then look no further than this easy Salisbury Steak recipe.
• Chicken Fried Steak is a family favorite recipe that is full of southern comfort food flavor.
• Keep a batch of this easy Italian beef in the freezer for quick and easy sandwiches.

Y'all, there's a special place in my heart for Cracker Barrel recipes like this and their luscious buttermilk pie - not so much standing in line waiting on a table.

Their recipes are so similar to the comfort foods I grew up on that sometimes I just have to indulge. I hope you enjoy this one!