Nostalgic Mom’s Hamburg Steak
Enjoy a Special Homemade Meal: The Ultimate Hamburg Steak Recipe (with Sauce)
Remember the ketchup-covered hamburg steak that was a lunchbox staple? Now, it’s transformed into a magnificent steak to be enjoyed on special occasions with the whole family. Recreate the taste of mom’s cooking and create a heartfelt meal.
Hamburg Steak Ingredients- 300g ground beef
- 200g ground pork
- 2 onions
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1/2 Tbsp salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Hamburg Steak Mixture & Seasoning- 2/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp ketchup
- 1~2 eggs (to adjust consistency)
- Sautéed onion (combined with above ingredients)
- 1/2 Tbsp salt (combined with above ingredients)
- Pinch of black pepper (combined with above ingredients)
- 2/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp ketchup
- 1~2 eggs (to adjust consistency)
- Sautéed onion (combined with above ingredients)
- 1/2 Tbsp salt (combined with above ingredients)
- Pinch of black pepper (combined with above ingredients)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the Meat: You can use only beef, only pork, or a mix of both. A 6:4 ratio of beef to pork is often considered ideal, but any combination will be delicious. For a cleaner flavor, drain the blood from the meat by patting it with paper towels for 2-3 hours before cooking.
Step 2
Prepare the Onions: Finely chop 2 onions for sautéing with the meat mixture. Thinly slice the remaining onion for the sauce. Use 2 Tbsp of butter for sautéing the onions and 3 Tbsp for the sauce.
Step 3
Prepare Binding Ingredients: Add 1 to 2 eggs to the meat mixture, adjusting the quantity based on the desired consistency. Prepare 2/3 cup of breadcrumbs. For a softer texture, consider using breadcrumbs made from stale bread processed in a food processor.
Step 4
Prepare Sauce Mushrooms (Optional): If you’d like to add extra flavor to the sauce, thinly slice about half a pack of mushrooms like button, king oyster, or shiitake.
Step 5
Sauté the Onions: In a pan, combine the chopped onions with 1/2 Tbsp salt and 2 Tbsp butter. Sauté over medium-low heat until the onions turn a nice brown color. This caramelization process is crucial for developing a rich flavor. Be patient, as it takes time and requires careful attention to prevent burning. The salt and pepper added to the onions will season the entire patty.
Step 6
Cool the Sautéed Onions: Allow the well-sautéed onions to cool completely before adding them to the meat mixture. Adding hot onions could cause the meat to cook prematurely.
Step 7
Make the Meat Mixture (Part 1): In a bowl, combine the ground beef and pork. Add the breadcrumbs, 1 Tbsp ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well. Crack in the eggs and adjust the consistency of the mixture as needed.
Step 8
Make the Meat Mixture (Part 2): Add the completely cooled sautéed onions to the meat mixture and knead again. It’s important to knead the mixture thoroughly until it becomes cohesive and slightly sticky. To achieve a tender texture, you can vigorously toss the mixture between your hands to remove air pockets. This ‘kneading’ process helps create a dense yet tender hamburg steak. (While some prefer shaping in a plastic bag, kneading by hand is often more straightforward).
Step 9
Divide the Mixture: Divide the meat mixture into portions roughly the size of a baseball.
Step 10
Shape the Patties: Gently press each portion between your palms, creating a slight indentation in the center. This technique helps prevent the patties from puffing up in the middle during cooking, ensuring an evenly cooked and attractive final shape.
Step 11
Cook the Patties (Part 1): Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 Tbsp of cooking oil. Place the formed patties in the hot pan and sear them until golden brown on both sides. Once they are partially cooked, carefully pour 50ml of water into the sides of the pan.
Step 12
Cook the Patties (Part 2 – Steaming): Cover the pan with a lid and let the patties steam for about 2-3 minutes. This steaming process ensures the inside cooks thoroughly and the patties remain moist.
Step 13
Cook the Patties (Part 3 – Check): Lift the lid and check the patties. The tops should be cooked. Gently lift the bottom of a patty to see if it has achieved a golden brown color before flipping.
Step 14
Finish Cooking the Patties: Flip the patties and cook the other side until it’s also golden brown and the patties are cooked through. Transfer the beautifully browned patties to a serving plate.
Step 15
Prepare the Sauce: It’s convenient to measure out all the sauce ingredients beforehand. Alternatively, you can measure them directly into the pan after cooking the patties.
Step 16
Make the Sauce (Part 1): Using the same pan the patties were cooked in (after wiping out excess grease), add the thinly sliced onions and optional mushrooms. Sauté until the vegetables are slightly softened and translucent. Then, add all the measured sauce ingredients and bring to a simmer.
Step 17
Make the Sauce (Part 2): Add 3 Tbsp of butter and stir until it melts into the sauce. Continue to simmer, allowing the butter to enrich the sauce and give it a smooth texture. Cook until the sauce slightly thickens.
Step 18
Plate the Dish: Place the cooked hamburg steak patties on a plate. Generously pour the warm sauce over the top. Serve with rice, a fresh green salad, and a fried egg (if desired) for a complete and satisfying meal.
