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Amish Poor Man’s Steak Recipe

4.8 from 107 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Cut into Steaks: After chilling, remove the pan from the fridge and cut the mixture into 3-inch square steaks.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Transfer to Slow Cooker: Using a slotted spatula or spoon, transfer the browned steaks to a 3-quart slow cooker.
  7. Add Mushroom Soup: Pour the undiluted condensed cream of mushroom soup evenly over the steaks to coat them well.
  8. Slow Cook: Cover and cook on high for about 4 hours or until the meat is fully cooked and no longer pink inside.
  9. 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