Introduction
Amish Poor Man’s Steak is a beloved comfort food that proves you don’t need expensive cuts of beef to enjoy a hearty, flavorful meal. This dish uses simple ground beef seasoned and shaped into “steaks,” then baked in a creamy mushroom gravy until tender. It’s filling, budget-friendly, and full of old-fashioned homestyle flavor — the kind of meal that warms both the stomach and the soul.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 2 cups crushed saltine crackers (about 1 sleeve)
- 1 cup milk
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup milk (for gravy)
Instructions
- Make the Beef Mixture
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, crushed crackers, 1 cup milk, onion, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Mix until well blended, but don’t overwork the meat.
- Shape into Steaks
- Form the mixture into oval or rectangular patties about ¾-inch thick.
- Place them in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Mix the Gravy
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup and ½ cup milk until smooth.
- Bake
- Pour the gravy mixture over the beef patties.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour.
- Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until bubbly and lightly browned on top.
- Serve
- Spoon gravy over the patties before serving. Delicious with mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or fresh-baked bread.
Storage Method
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave with extra gravy to keep moist.
- Freezer: Assemble patties and gravy, cover tightly, and freeze (unbaked) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.