Amish Poor Man’s Steak Recipe
Introduction
Amish Poor Man’s Steak is a comforting, budget-friendly dish that’s perfect for family dinners. Made with simple ingredients like ground beef and cream of mushroom soup, it delivers hearty flavors and tender texture that everyone will love.

Ingredients
- 1 cup crushed saltine crackers (about 30 crackers)
- 1/3 cup water
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 2 cans (10-3/4 ounces each) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
- Hot cooked noodles or mashed potatoes, for serving
- Minced fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the crushed saltine crackers, water, salt, and pepper.
- Step 2: Crumble the ground beef over the cracker mixture and mix lightly but thoroughly.
- Step 3: Press the mixture into an ungreased 9-inch square pan. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
- Step 4: After chilling, cut the mixture into 3-inch square steaks.
- Step 5: Dredge each steak in all-purpose flour to coat both sides.
- Step 6: In a large skillet, heat canola oil over medium heat and brown the steaks on both sides, about 2–3 minutes per side.
- Step 7: Transfer the browned steaks to a 3-quart slow cooker using a slotted spatula or spoon.
- Step 8: Pour undiluted cream of mushroom soup over the steaks.
- Step 9: Cover and cook on high for about 4 hours or until the meat is no longer pink.
- Step 10: Serve the steaks over hot mashed potatoes or noodles. Garnish with minced fresh parsley if desired.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of garlic powder or onion powder to the cracker mixture.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Using fresh mushrooms instead of canned soup adds texture but requires a different cooking method.
- If you prefer thicker gravy, stir in a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with water during the last hour of cooking.
Storage
Store leftover Amish Poor Man’s Steak in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stove over low heat until warmed through, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to loosen the sauce.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I prepare this dish without a slow cooker?
Yes, you can bake the steaks and soup mixture in a covered baking dish at 350°F (175°C) for about 1 to 1.5 hours until cooked through.
Is it necessary to refrigerate the meat mixture before cutting into steaks?
Yes, chilling the mixture firms it up, making it easier to cut into neat steaks and helps them hold their shape during cooking.
PrintAmish Poor Man’s Steak Recipe
Amish Poor Man’s Steak is a comforting and hearty dish featuring seasoned ground beef patties combined with crushed saltine crackers, browned to perfection, and slow-cooked in creamy mushroom soup. This simple, budget-friendly meal is perfect for serving over mashed potatoes or noodles for a satisfying family dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup crushed saltine crackers (about 30 crackers)
- 1/3 cup water
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 2 cans (10-3/4 ounces each) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
- Hot cooked noodles or mashed potatoes, for serving
- Minced fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the crushed saltine crackers, water, salt, and pepper. Crumble the ground beef over this mixture and mix lightly but thoroughly to combine the ingredients evenly.
- Shape and Chill: Press the beef and cracker mixture firmly into an ungreased 9-inch square pan. Cover it and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. This chilling step helps the mixture set for easier cutting and cooking.
- Cut into Steaks: After chilling, remove the pan from the fridge and cut the mixture into 3-inch square steaks.
- Dredge in Flour: Coat each steak evenly on both sides by dredging them in all-purpose flour. This helps to develop a nice crust and thickens the sauce later.
- Brown the Steaks: Heat canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the steaks on both sides, about 2–3 minutes per side, until golden brown.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Using a slotted spatula or spoon, transfer the browned steaks to a 3-quart slow cooker.
- Add Mushroom Soup: Pour the undiluted condensed cream of mushroom soup evenly over the steaks to coat them well.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on high for about 4 hours or until the meat is fully cooked and no longer pink inside.
- Serve: Serve the creamy, tender steaks hot over cooked noodles or mashed potatoes. Garnish with minced fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Be sure not to overmix the beef mixture to keep the steaks tender.
- Chilling the mixture is important for easy slicing and helps the steaks hold their shape during cooking.
- If you prefer thicker gravy, you can stir in a little flour mixed with water towards the end of slow cooking and cook uncovered for 15 minutes.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- For a richer flavor, substitute half of the water with beef broth in the initial mixture.
Keywords: Amish Poor Man’s Steak, slow cooker steak, ground beef recipe, creamy mushroom sauce, easy slow cooker dinner

