Smothered Steak & Green Beans
Let’s just start with the obvious: this is not your average “Tuesday night” dinner. This is the kind of meal that walks into the room and immediately becomes the main character. We’re talking smothered burger steaks in a rich tomato-beef gravy, served up next to green beans that actually slap. Like, if Sunday dinner and comfort food had a baby raised by your Southern auntie and your Midwestern grandma—this would be it.
What even is Smothered Steak?
Glad you asked. Smothered steak is kind of a comfort food hall-of-famer. It usually refers to seasoned beef (either steak or patties) that’s browned and then “smothered” in gravy until everything gets cozy and delicious. And in our case? It’s homemade burger patties simmered in a savory gravy situation with stewed tomatoes, onions, and a whisper of Worcestershire. Spoiler alert: your mashed potatoes are about to become gravy boats and thank you for it.
Fun fact: The Maillard reaction is your BFF.
When you brown those patties and they get that crispy-seared edge? That’s science, babe. It’s called the Maillard reaction—a fancy term for what happens when proteins and sugars in your food caramelize and turn golden brown. Translation: flavor city. So don’t skip the browning step unless you want to hurt my feelings and your taste buds.
Let’s talk gravy.
This gravy is what I like to call a “no-drama, high-impact” sauce. We’re using pantry MVPs here: flour, water, bouillon, Worcestershire sauce, and stewed tomatoes. The tomatoes give it a little bit of tang and depth—like a tomato soup and beef gravy collab we didn’t know we needed. And let’s not overlook that splash of syrup in the burger patties. It’s a little sweet, a little savory, and totally chef’s kiss.
Oh, and the green beans?
These aren’t just your obligatory side veg. These are bombshell green beans (™️ pending), perfectly seasoned and soaking up all the steak-gravy vibes. We’re not here for sad, boiled beans. We’re here for full-flavor, don’t-even-need-a-fork kind of green beans. Serve ’em next to a fluffy pile of mashed potatoes and you’ve got yourself a plate of edible therapy.
Smothered Steak & Green Beans
Ingredients
For the Burger Patties:
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp seasoned salt
- ¼ tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 squeeze of syrup yes, like pancake syrup—trust the process
- Salt & pepper to taste
For the Gravy:
- ½ an onion sliced
- 2 tsp beef bouillon
- 2½ cups water
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 4 –5 shakes Worcestershire sauce
- 1 14 oz can stewed tomatoes
- 1 –2 tbsp butter
- 1 clove garlic minced (or sub ½ tsp garlic paste)
To Serve:
- Mashed potatoes optional but highly encouraged
- Green Beans
Instructions
- Make the patties: In a large bowl, mix all patty ingredients together. Form into patties like you’re building little flavor frisbees.
- Sear ‘em up: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with some oil and brown the patties on both sides. You’re not cooking them all the way through—just giving them a Maillard moment. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté the onions: In the same skillet, toss in the sliced onions and cook until soft and caramelized. (We love a one-pan moment.)
- Deglaze & build flavor: Add a splash of water to lift all that browned goodness from the pan, then stir in butter, parsley, garlic powder, and minced garlic. Let it get fragrant.
- Gravy time: Sprinkle in the flour and stir until everything looks pasty and suspicious. Slowly pour in the water while whisking, then add beef bouillon, Worcestershire sauce, and stewed tomatoes (break ‘em up with your spoon if they’re chunky).
- Bring it together: Let the gravy simmer and thicken for a few minutes, then return the burger patties to the skillet. Spoon some gravy over top and let it all bubble gently until everything is thick, rich, and fully cooked.
- Serve hot: Ladle that gravy over mashed potatoes, toss some bombshell green beans on the side, and mentally prepare for everyone at the table to fall in love with you.
