Here’s how to make it the classic way 👇
🥩 Amish Poor Man’s Steak
Ingredients (serves 4–6)
For the “steaks”:
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2 lbs ground beef
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1 cup crushed saltine crackers (or breadcrumbs)
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1 cup milk
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1 small onion, finely chopped
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1 tsp salt
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½ tsp black pepper
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½ tsp garlic powder (optional)
For the gravy:
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1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
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½ cup milk
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1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional for flavor)
Instructions
1. Make the steak patties
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In a large bowl, combine ground beef, crushed crackers, milk, onion, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
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Mix gently until combined — don’t overwork it.
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Shape into thick rectangular or oval patties (about ½–¾ inch thick).
2. Brown the patties
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Heat a bit of oil in a skillet over medium heat.
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Brown patties on both sides (about 2–3 minutes per side) — they don’t need to cook through.
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Transfer browned patties to a 9×13-inch baking dish.
3. Make the gravy
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In a small bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth.
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Pour the mixture evenly over the browned patties.
4. Bake
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Cover the baking dish with foil.
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Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45–60 minutes, until the patties are fully cooked and tender.
5. Serve
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Serve hot with mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or buttered corn.
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Spoon the creamy gravy over everything — that’s the best part! 😋
💡 Tips & Variations
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Make-ahead: You can shape the patties and refrigerate overnight before baking.
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Richer flavor: Add a dash of beef bouillon or sautéed mushrooms to the gravy.
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No canned soup? Substitute with a quick homemade gravy: butter + flour + beef broth + cream.
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Leftovers: Even better the next day — store covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Would you like me to give you the “from-scratch” version (no canned soup, just homemade creamy gravy)? It’s still easy and tastes amazing.
