Introduction
Amish Poor Man’s Steak is a classic comfort dish made with simple, affordable ingredients. It’s a flavorful ground beef loaf, sliced into “steaks,” coated in a savory gravy, and baked until tender. Perfect for family dinners, it delivers homestyle goodness without the high cost of traditional steak.
Ingredients (Serves 6–8)
- 2 lbs (900 g) ground beef
- 1 cup cracker crumbs (saltines work great)
- 1 cup milk
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cans (10.5 oz each) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 ½ cups milk (for gravy)
Instructions
- Prepare beef mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, cracker crumbs, 1 cup milk, onion, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined but avoid overmixing.
- Shape into loaf: Press the mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish, forming an even, flat loaf. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight (this helps it firm up for slicing).
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Slice into steaks: Cut the chilled meat mixture into slices (about ¾–1 inch thick).
- Make gravy: In a separate bowl, whisk together cream of mushroom soup and 1 ½ cups milk until smooth.
- Bake: Arrange the sliced “steaks” back into the baking dish, slightly overlapping. Pour the gravy evenly over the top. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Uncover & finish: Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, until the gravy is bubbling and the steaks are fully cooked.
- Serve: Pair with mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or steamed vegetables for a complete Amish-style meal.
Tips & Variations
- Add minced garlic or parsley to the beef mixture for extra flavor.
- Use cream of chicken soup instead of mushroom for a lighter flavor.
- For a richer gravy, replace part of the milk with beef broth.
Enjoy !!
