Amish Poor Man’s Steak

Preheat and prep: Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Make the gravy: Whisk condensed soup with 1 1/2 cups milk until smooth. Stir in parsley; set aside.
Mix patties: In a large bowl combine ground beef, crushed crackers, 1 cup milk, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and salt and pepper. Mix gently until just combined; overmixing makes them dense.
Shape and dredge: Form into 8 even oval patties. Lightly coat each in flour, tapping off excess.
Sear: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear patties 2–3 minutes per side until browned. Transfer to the baking dish.
Bake: Pour the gravy over the patties. Cover tightly with foil and bake 30–40 minutes, until patties are cooked through and very tender.
Serve: Rest 5 minutes. Spoon gravy over the steaks and serve with mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice. Garnish with extra parsley.

Troubleshooting & Consistency Tips

Patties too soft to shape: Chill the mixture 10–15 minutes, or add 2–3 tablespoons additional cracker crumbs.
Greasy gravy: Drain excess fat from the skillet after searing, or use 85–90% lean beef.
Want more mushroom flavor: Stir in 1 cup sautéed mushrooms before baking.
Make-ahead: Shape and sear patties up to 24 hours ahead; refrigerate. Add 5–10 minutes to bake time if starting cold.

Storage & Make-Ahead

Refrigerate: Keeps 4 days. Reheat covered at 325°F (165°C) until hot, then uncover for 5 minutes.

Freeze: Freeze uncooked patties and gravy separately up to 2 months. Thaw overnight, then sear and bake as directed.

Why This Recipe Works

Crushed crackers and milk create a panade that keeps the beef tender and juicy. A quick sear builds fond for deep flavor, while baking the patties beneath creamy gravy finishes them gently so they stay succulent. The result is comforting, economical, and reliably delicious.

Expert Tips

Even portions: Use a 1/2-cup scoop for uniform patties.
Season to taste: Salt levels vary by soup brand—taste the gravy and adjust after baking if needed.
Serve smart: A side of buttered peas or a simple green salad balances the richness.