Easy Chopped Steak

A simple recipe for delicate ground beef patties, chopped steak is a filling, reasonably priced comfort food dish with lots of flavor!

Although the definition of comfort food varies from person to person, it essentially refers to anything that makes one feel comfortable. There are foods you eat when you’re sick, like chicken noodle soup, and foods you consume because they’re comfort food par excellence. Chopped steak belongs to the category of comfort food that evokes nostalgia. It’s an inexpensive, quick-to-prepare dish that provides substantial comfort food that satisfies both your body and spirit.

This ageless classic isn’t your average cubed steak or ground beef burger. A chopped steak is just as deserving of a main course as any sirloin steak because of its rich, flavorful layers and soft, juicy texture. To seal in the fluids, you start with premium ground beef, sometimes known as ground sirloin, and combine it with things like egg and breadcrumbs. To provide even more moisture, there are some onions and a small amount of spice. Like a steak, the patties are seared and cooked on a hot pan, giving them a very juicy and soft texture.

For a filling supper of comfort food, pair this chopped steak dish with some sautéed mushrooms and mashed potatoes. If you’d like, you may use the pan drippings and a few other things to make some gravy, but it’s already so juicy that you won’t need any more. However, if you simply cannot fathom a comfort meal without gravy (and who could blame you? ), this post’s Variations Section has numerous gravy recipes!

What is Chopped Steak?

A flavorful retro meal known as chopped steak is made from ground beef patties that are cooked over the fire and served like steak. This traditional recipe, which calls for breaking up steaks and mixing the meat with breadcrumbs or other fillers, was developed to make meals more affordable. It is a beloved comfort dish that was popular at the start of the 20th century when the dollar needed to go a long way, much like meatloaf, cubed beef, and Salisbury steak.

What is the difference between Chopped Steak and Hamburger Patties?

Although ground beef is used to make both chopped steak and classic hamburger patties, they are not the same. To improve the flavor and texture of chopped steak, other ingredients like breadcrumbs, onions, and spices are sometimes added. Conversely, standard burger patties often consist just of ground beef and a few simple ingredients, such as salt and pepper.

How to Make Chopped Steak

• Seasonings: In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Add the chopped onions and bread crumbs and stir.
• Patties: Ensure that the ground beef is uniformly distributed and well mixed into the spice mix. Form the meat into four thick, round patties that are flat.
• Cook: In a big, heavy skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. The patties should be cooked for approximately five minutes on each side after the oil is heated. They have to be well cooked and nicely browned.

Key Ingredients

• Ground Beef: Although ground steak is traditionally used to make chopped steaks, high-quality ground beef with a greater fat ratio, such as 85/15 or 80/20, works just as well. It’s also typically less expensive than steak and easier to locate.
• Egg: In addition to binding, the egg gives the patties their softness and added richness above normal ground beef, making for a juicy and delicious chopped steak.
• Worcestershire Sauce: This sauce enhances the natural tastes of the meat to create a much more flavorful burger. Stick to the tablespoon for the optimum balance, though, since it can be rather salty.
• Bread Crumbs: Contrary to popular belief, bread crumbs assist meat patties keep moisture by absorbing their natural juices. They are the key component of succulent, delicious, and juicy chopped steaks.
• Onion: To counterbalance all the savoriness, finely diced yellow onion gives a bit earthy sweetness and additional flavor. They not only enhance the flavor but also provide moisture to the patties.

Can Chopped Steak be made ahead of time?

The patties can be prepared ahead of time, but freshly cooked chopped steak tastes best. Just shape the patties and cook the meat mixture. They keep well in the refrigerator for up to two days when kept in an airtight container with wax paper between the layers to prevent sticking. The uncooked patties may also be frozen on a baking sheet until firm, at which point they can be wrapped up and kept in the freezer for up to two months. Before cooking as normal, let the patties thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Variations

• Creamy Mushroom Gravy: Using the pan drippings, cream of mushroom soup, and fresh mushrooms, make a delectable creamy mushroom gravy. After taking the patties out of the pan, add 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms and 2 teaspoons of butter. Fry the mushrooms until they become tender. Add one can of cream of mushroom soup and thin down the mixture with beef broth if necessary.
• French Onion: Add a packet of french onion dip (the sort that goes with sour cream) to the beef mixture to enhance the flavor of onions.
• BBQ Glaze: While the steak patties are cooking, slather each one with your preferred barbecue sauce to give it a smokey, somewhat sweet taste. Arrange additional BBQ sauce on the side for guests to dip into.
• Meat: Ground beef isn’t the only ingredient in chopped steak. You may make a combination that is half veal and half pork, much like Italian meatloaf. You could also prepare them using ground chicken or turkey, but you’ll need to add a tablespoon of oil to the meat mixture because the leaner meat would be more dense.

FAQs

What do you serve with Chopped Steak?

Macaroni and cheese and creamy mashed potatoes are two classic comfort food sides that go very well with chopped steak. They are frequently served with pan sauce or brown gravy resembling Salisbury steak on top, along with sautéed onions and mushrooms.

Are Chopped Steak and Salisbury Steak the same?

They are really similar, yet they are not the same. In essence, salisbury steak is a chopped steak that is commonly prepared with mushrooms and gravy. Since the meat combination for Salisbury steaks obtains its moisture from cooking in the pan sauce, neither bread crumbs nor eggs are often used.

Where does Chopped Steak come from?

The origins of chopped steak may be traced back to American cooking, specifically to the Salisbury steak, which was made famous by Dr. J.H. Salisbury in the late 1800s. Although the precise history of chopped steak is unclear, it has become a popular comfort dish in the US for a quick, tasty, and affordable supper.

How to Store

• Store: Let your chopped steak cool slightly after cooking it before putting it away. Remaining food can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days if it is sealed tightly.
• Reheat: Reheat the beef patties by adding them to a pan with a lid and a tablespoon of water (or beef stock) to prevent them from drying out. Heat thoroughly over a medium heat source.
• Freeze: After allowing the cooked chopped steak patties to cool fully, cover each one in plastic wrap. For up to three months, freeze the wrapped patties in a freezer bag that can be sealed. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before warming, or reheat from frozen.

More Steak Recipes You Might Like

• Pepper Steak
• Air Fryer Steak
• Salisbury Steak
• BBQ Ribeye Steak