I looked up Dr. James Salisbury and he was pretty badass. He was an American Civil War doctor, and he believed the a diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates was optimal for health and that beef was the best source of meat. He died when he was 81. Contrast that with Sylvester Graham who advocated a bland diet of grains was best. He died when he was 57. Draw your own conclusions.

"It doesn't matter he's dead"😂😂😂 Chef John is officially a savage😂😂😂

I made this tonight with mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli drizzled with butter. We ate in the living room on our TV trays. Our show of choice….Gunsmoke. My hubby and I are both 65. It was delicious! And I feel a little sorry for those young-uns out there that never got to experience this as a child. Thank you for taking me back to the simpler life! 🥰

I remember my dad - also a professional chef - making Salisbury steak at home. He'd use an empty, clean sardine tin to form his patties.

"But it doesn't matter, he's dead." Omg Chef John, I laughed so hard I choked on my coffee.

I’m 50 and this dish is my childhood! 💕❤️ TV dinners were so exciting at my house! My mom was a single mom and we would eat TV dinners while watching Miami Vice 👍 I can still hear the theme music now .... and every. Single. Time. I would burn myself while unwrapping the tin foil 🤪

So delicious I decided to x4 this recipe, made a huge batch of mashed potatoes and got some frozen corn.. and then I made 16 actual TV dinners!.. froze them and now I can reminisce the old days and have a good quality Salisbury steak. Microwave the frozen dinners for 3 min plus 3 min, resting a bit between. What a treat, and now I don't have to cook every night.. they are waiting for me in the freezer. This gravy is to die for.

Loved tv dinners! Plus my dad saying "Billy, turn to channel 9!" I'm Billy and the remote too.

I love Salisbury steak. Yes! That is where I had my first Salisbury Steak... in a TV Dinner!! Oh, how I miss "Those Good Ol' Days"!

Chef John, I noticed that you weren't eating your green beans. Finish every last one or you don't get a cup of Jello with canned fruit cocktail in it for dessert.

"But it doesn't matter, he's dead". Omg I can't stop laughing. Chef john has a wonderfully wicked sense of humor.

Salisbury Steak with mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy has been a Top Five favorite meal of mine since I was a young boy. And yes, I can vaguely recall watching The Ed Sullivan Show with my parents on Sunday nights, after dinner. Thank you, Chef John. Stay safe.

Chef John's version doesn't look anything like the grayish, spongy version the school Lunch Lady would slop on our tray in the '70's.

"But it doesn't matter he's dead" 🤣 Wow, Chef. I think there's more *salt* on that steak than u thought! lol

Sorry-I like Swanson's TV Dinner better.... KIDDING!! Chef this is one of your best recipes ever. I'm 75 so I grew up with Ed S and TV dinners with the family in front of the 15" set. (We moved up to the 21" around the time Ike was re-elected). Thanks for the video and bringing back all the memories with your great TV dinner.

Forgot to mention how much I admire the gravy recipe, especially the way you cook them in the butter which returns after the water evaporates - so brilliant! I believe you have completely solved my gravy issues for life.

Sitting in the living room with the tv tables and your tv dinner on it, watching tv....the good ol’ days😆

5 stations and I was the remote!! :)

Actually TV dinners were a treat way back then. Swanson's fried chicken dinner in those tin trays were the best! I love salisbury steak, too. Homemade is best!

I just came back to say that I've been making this delicious, easy and comforting dish regularly since you posted this recipe, and it never gets old. It's one of those timeless classics, and I also make it for my non red meat eating wife using impossible burger and a combination of the Better than Bouillon "not beef" base and their sauted onion base. She will eat fish, so the Worcestershire sauce is ok for her. It's great that way too. Every once in a while I feel the need to thank people who just made my life a bit better.

John, you never let me down. I made this last night, and it was flipping fantastic! The only changes I made were I added some minced garlic to the veggies after they were browned, and I added a little kitchen bouquet because the gravy wasn't as dark as I like. I have made several of your recipes over the past year, and all have turned out excellent. Please keep up the good work!

You are amazing! I have been trying to get my Salisbury Steak “right” for most of my 60 years. This looks like it is perfect and of course, I take your word for it. Thank you so very much for another wonderful dish. Blessings from Texas 😩🙏

Looks good Chef John. Thanks. I'll add it to my list of your great comfort food recipes. We were poor when I was a kid and a Swanson turkey dinner was a big treat. Sometimes we even had olives to go with it. 😄

This was absolutely delicious. Chef John isn’t lying when he says it’s one of the best tasting gravy’s. I’ll be making this a lot.

This was an amazing recipe - totally brought back memories of the late 60’s - 70’s with the TV dinners (as a kid we thought they were a treat). It’s the ketchup and Worcestershire sauce that’s totally transforms this from a standard hamburger steak! I did add a quarter cup of finely diced green pepper to the meat as I seem to recall seeing flecks of something in the meat from the TV tray experience. Delicious. And the gravy is a killer - will totally do this again! Thanks Chef John.

This is such a nostalgic and delicious dish! Love this recipe 😍

Today I *finally* made this recipe and it was amazing. I served it with mashed potatoes and stewed pears, which I thought were a beautiful sweet and fresh contrast to the richness of the mash and the gravy.

Thank you Chef John! This came out delicious! Wow! My hubby and I both are way past the 50 age marker, but I have never made this before so we couldn't wait to try it. We don't have TV trays (anymore), but we watch TV every night during dinner. You're the best!😄😋😉

This is a great idea. I'd never thought about cooking it backwards, but it's ingenious. You'd get a much better tasting gravy being able to brown the mushrooms and onions for longer!

I'm eating a gorgeous rib-steak as I watch this, and I'm actually feeling jealous, how is this possible?

I also partake of the butter dam and must fix the breaks. So glad not to feel alone now. 😂😅

I've never made Salisbury steaks before This was the best Salisbury steaks I've ever made! I avoid ketchup so I used tomato sauce, a little honey and chili powder. It was seriously awesome.

"...or triangle shape if you're really weird." *me looking up from my Salisbury dodecahedrons* Welp...

Oh, that looks incredibly delicious and quite comforting especially during stressful times. It's like going home to mom's.

I made this for first time and it was literally one of the best meals of my life. Thank you!

I just made this, and my boyfriend loved it. I am surprised at just how good it was since I have NEVER made this dish before. Just follow his instructions and BAM, great. I eat later in the evening and I am going to chow down when I do! Thank you for sharing such a yummy meal! Edit: I wanted to let people know that I added slightly to much broth to my gravy (my fault) as it was slightly to thin, so I added a few tbls. of a cornflour slurry and it came out great.

I've got a Hungry Man in the freezer. I've eaten at 3 Michelin star restaurants and I can cook, but a Hungry Man hits the spot sometimes.

He really does love it. Never seen him eat most of the recipes he graces us with.

This is an awesome recipe.. I made it too, but had to "age and marinate" the ground beef for two days as wife would not eat beef on Good Thursday and Good Friday, but hey, it's all for good. Came out delicious as you'd expect but I have one recommendation: do not go overboard with with the Worcestershire sauce on the gravy ! stay with the safe 1 tbsp and all will be right. But if you do, you may want to add a tablespoon of sugar to counteract some of the acidity. Also, stay with 10-12 mushrooms if they are large like 1/ 1/2 inches... and 3 cups of the broth produced a lot of gravy/sauce... which is not a bad thing. 100% recommended.

I just made this and ate while watching an episode of Columbo. Both were very good!

This looks amazing! I remember t.v. dinners and Jiffy Pop!

I remember little green specs in the meat (in the 60’s), so I finely diced a jalapeño into the meat mix - LOVE this recipe!!!!!

The king of frozen dinners was the Swanson Italian Style Dinner. Lasagna, chopped spinach, apple/peach compote and Tortoni pudding! In the late 60's Swanson was king and they made the most awesome TV dinners! Remember the last time a TV dinner came with...soup? Golden age, man! Nowadays, though...Stouffer's Salisbury w/Mac and Cheese!

It turned out so very good. The whole family loved it. The better brother was the secret ingredient.

Dang, I’m drooling all over myself! This looks so, so good-nothing like we ever got in a foil tray.

I miss the real tv dinners , the Swanson in the aluminum tray. I'm a child of the 60's. Yes only 3 channels, and they would go off at midnight or so usually playing the national anthem

I made this yesterday and was thoroughly impressed with this recipe. In order to make it a little more authentic of a TV dinner I did make instant mashed potatoes. 😊 Plus I use canned salt free cut green beans. Wonderful comfort food and some fun memories. Thanks for the recipe and yes we did 🎼enjoy 🎼 !! 😄

I found myself thinking about and craving a salisbury steak dinner and found myself here, for how to do it. As I do all the cooking in the house, I asked my wife if she would like to have it for dinner and she flipped out, with a massive "yes". I had no idea that she loved it so much, so I will be making it today. Can't wait to try Chef John's recipe. Looks delicious.

the gravy looks good. we have smth similar here in germany, called jägerschnitzel, which is just a schnitzel with a mushroom gravy (and sides ofc, mostly spätzle)... i dig it

C'mon Chef John, over 50? Heck, I'm only in my mid 40's and still remember TV dinners you HAD to cook in the oven, because there was no microwave!

Made this!! Fabulous!! My fellas ate it up!! 13, 23, 53! LOL. Tripled the recipe, glad I did!

Out of this world delicious. I made this for lunch again today and the steaks were so flavorful and tender, we didn't even have to chew! I served with mashed potatoes , which is, of course the perfect side dish. People, follow this to the T and your whole family will be begging for you to make it again and again.

I think a whole series needs to be done with tv dinners! I think that'd be really cool and fun 😊

He said, "my melted butter damn broke..." 😂 that was the icing on the cake, i just subscribed.

I know how old this post is but I'm so happy you made it! I've made this gravy over and over! Thank You Chef John for upping my cooking game!

We don't have foil tray-packed TV dinners anymore (remember the peach cobbler?! ) They took maybe 45 min in the oven and we had 7 TV channels in Detroit (UHF and VHF and CBC from Canada.) Those days are long gone. But we do have Chef John right now. Very Grateful.

THANK YOU SO MUCH! Salisbury steak is one of my favorite comfort foods.

This is my second time making this and it comes out perfect every time! Thank you!

Looks delicious!!! One of my best recipes was handed down by my grandfather who was part of a traveling band of clowns which toured the country in the 1930s and 40s. Not only did he fully participate as a performer (juggling and spraying seltzer mostly) but he was also in charge of the Clown Chuckwagon, and over the years, came up with a nice selection of mostly campfire stews (or "or stewge" as Gramps used to call them),, soups and casseroles. One of my favorites, casseroles, which I still prepare frequently, consists of baked beans and wieners (for the KETO portion of the meal), macaroni and cheese. and a couple handfuls of those big orange circus peanuts - a sweet yet savory bake-up that's a hit with everyone who tries it. Gramps had one clown name for performing with his fellow troupers at carnivals, civic events, etc., throughout the central Midwest ""Antsy Pants" - but around the campfire at breakfast or suppertime, when most of these talented vagabond buffoons had removed their make-up and hung their giant shoes in their campers, (but oddly enough not all of them) Gramps was affectionately known among the boys as "Yummo." He told me how it wasn't unusual for farmers to donate a hen or two and maybe a couple of dozen eggs, in return for a brief barnyard slapstick performance by a couple of the boys for the farmer, his family and his hired hands.. He also told me as soon as he got back to camp with the chickens, the alcoholic Geek who traveled with them would inevitably beg permission to bite the heads of the pullets when Gramps was ready to get those birds cooking. Seemed that this particular Geek actually not only savored the taste of the live chickens he was required to eat (which were usually provided by the promoter of the event at which the troupe was performing) - but craved more when "off=the-clock" Talk about a Carnivore diet!! Wow!!! Reportedly, he was known to comment that "live chicken pairs well with a pint of Carstairs White Seal Blended." By the way, Grandma also traveled with Gramps. She was the seamstress - making a good number of the clown suits from her own design and repairing all them when required. So of course Gram and Gran rolled along from town- to -town with a big foot pump operated sewing machine in their trailer, - in addition to all the pots, pants, cutlery, stirrers, etc. My Dad was born in a campground in Posey County, Indiana, delivered by a local midwife and plopped into a casserole baking dish as soon as Gramps cut the umbilical cord with his second best onion chopping knife. As for me, I married young and did well for myself in doing so. My wife is the daughter of an oiutdoor parking lot magnate in a major city in Ohio. I was dowried with three downtown lots. I've had a comfortable life pretty much doing whatever I want all day while other people collect money on my behalf while sitting down in booths, watching TV, reading (or even snoozing between customers arriving and honking the horns to wake 'em up). Consequently, for awhile, I was able to open a couple of storefront business which specialized in selling "clown suits for the whole family," including custom made if somebody wanted them - and even clown suits for the family pets. The seamstresses I hired used Gram's patterns, of course. . The stores were called "Hem and Ha!" - and with every sale, I usually threw in a copy of one of Gramps' recipes for a clown casseroles, "silly stew," "buffoon bread, "Punchinello Porridge,," or what have you. Of course, they all pair well with seltzer water. Thank you for allowing me to share

I love watching him cook plus he has a nice smooth voice which makes it even better.

The best part of Chef John is when he is tasting it after he's done. You can just imagine...

For the Steaks: 1 pound 85% lean ground beef ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 teaspoon dry mustard 2 tablespoons ketchup 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon soy sauce 1 large egg, beaten 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste 1/2 cup plain bread crumbs For the Gravy: 2 tablespoons salted butter 12 large white button mushrooms, sliced 1 cup diced onion 1 pinch salt 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons ketchup 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 3 cups high-quality, low-sodium beef broth salt to taste 2 tablespoons salted butter

What a great production and sense of humor

You are amazing, Chef John! I have occasionally watched your videos since 2007 and still remember the first ones you published on KZfaq. God bless you.

Brings back memories. I remember all of us with our own little tv tables sitting in front of the tv watching Archie Bunker eating Salisbury Steak TV dinners lol. I’m getting old 😆

"It doesn't matter, he's dead" No John, I'M DEAD! lol

Ive made this recipe now 9 or 10 times in one week i made this recipe four days in a row we couldnt get enough ...such a great recipe.

I was born in 1948 so I was just the right age to enjoy a not great meal of a TV dinner in front of the screen. But we (except 1 brother who wouldn't touch anything with onion in it) ate every bite. Salisbury Steak was my favorite and to this day I still love it. I definitely will be trying this recipe. Thank you for another great video of a fantastic recipe.

Made this last night and doubled the recipe so me and my wife had meals for work too. Glad we did. Delicious!!

I made this exactly as presented with mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus.. OMG so good! The recommendation to not overwork the beef is key. The texture was much more pleasing and moist.

I made this a while back and my family loved it. I have learned so much about cooking from you, Chef John. I am very grateful. Thank you for your videos!

Just made this with some buttery mashed potatoes and french cut green beans. My dog was going nuts when I was cooking and my son scrapped his plate clean. He doesn't like gravy but because this had mushrooms in it, he sucked it back. There wasn't anything leftover. Thanks for the recipe! It's a keeper.

I making mine in the shape of xmas trees tonight. Happy Holidays 🎄

Yo, John Do you remember watching Mutual of Omaha’s wild kingdom on Sunday nights??? (Maybe Friday’s)???:)

A dash of nutmeg to the meat changes the flavor completely for the better. Have to admit the ketchup in the gravy shocked me but I am gonna try it. It looked so delicious!

Chef John, I must be your age, I remember 3 channels and don’t forget Lawrence Welk! They didn’t have KZfaq University either,,,,cookbook’s are all we had. I do remember Swansons & Banquet TV dinners that I had often as child of the 60s and haven’t had Salisbury steak since then,,,,you’re recipe looks delicious and can’t wait to make it, Thankyou…..❤

Blast from the past. This was one of the first things I learn to cook. So proud. I was 12. But Chef, they never looked as good as the ones in this video. My favorite quote, "It doesn't matter, cause he's dead." Love this channel

I’m on my way to the grocery store for the ingredients I need. I want to make this for my fiancé for dinner. He really deserves a good, home cooked meal. Thank you for this. New subbie here♥️

This brings back good memories of my dad and me at home while Mom was at work....we would have TV dinners and canned biscuits. No microwaves then...everything in the oven. He always doctored up the dinners with a little Worcestershire sauce, butter, onion Etc

Yum, and I ate those Salisbury steak T.V. dinners too. I have to make this for old times sakes..

“Hold on my melted butter dam broke”

One of my all time favorites. As a kid whenever i went to Horn & Hardarts this is what I had, the only difference is that I had it with their famous baked beans and home-fries. Yum! Anyway, you helped me decide what's for supper tomorrow.

Just made this and my mother and law loved it! So, I thank u Chef John!

I've made this several times and it always comes out awesome. Sometimes when I make 4 batches, I just quadruple the ingredients, make the gravy 4 times and mix it all in a bowl for a consistent taste. Put it in aluminum pans, place in freezer for later use, or just toss it in the fridge for the next day. I will say though, the gravy for his amounts take almost twice as long to reduce.

This came out great! I still soaked the breadcrumbs in milk out of habit but followed the recipe in every other way. Definitely homemade or high quality stock is essential. I portioned out the remaining patties, mashed potatoes and carrots in 3 compartment Tupperware, which looks a little like a TV dinner tray lol. Reheats nicely, I like this recipe.

chef john called himself a “meatloaf fiend”, he knows cool kid lingo

Just made these and they were fantastic. They came out perfect with no need for extra salt or pepper. Very happy with this recipe!

Hi, I am French and I just cooked your recipe, and it was delicious. I will pass it on All the best for 2024

Just like Mama Swanson™️ used to make!😋

"It doesn't really matter, he's dead." CRACKED ME UP!!!!!!!!

I just tried this and it's the best thing ever, hands down. Although I'm not a fan of meat loafs so I just made some pork scotch fillets in the oven instead because I loved them. I still used the ingredients listed for the loafs (sans egg and crumbs) just as a marinade, and simply poured the gravy over them once they were done. A bit of sauerkraut on the side, good god. I will never walk again. I'll just spend the rest of my life rolling like a ball. Thank you for sharing!

I am so glad that you also only simmer them in the gravy for around 5 minutes, as I do. And making the gravy ahead, since the juices of the fried meat stay in the pan anyhow. Most of these Salisbury Steak videos here on KZfaq recommend to simmer the S.Steaks for 45-60 minutes!!! That does not make any sense, it would be totally dry without the gravy. In Europe we make these (slightly smaller, but also 1/2" thick) meat patties, but without gravy - just with the pan drippings, with boiled or mashed potatoes and green beans. And it's not dry at all.

I’ve learned this gravy from you back when you only had foodwishes.com and it is amazing. Never made it any other way. DELICIOUS 😋!

salisbury "steak" is absolutely amazing comfort food!!! its been on my to do list for months!! im going with this one but more gravy liquid less mushrooms and onions (for kids i somehow will separate them lol!!) a favorite childhood dish. even school lunch salsbury steak with a big homeade biscuit was memorable food! in a good way haha

I made this recipe had to add onion powder and garlic powder to it everything else the same.....my husband said it was the best Salisbury steak he has ever eaten....thank you Chef John

John, Thankyou for helping me learn to cook and feed my family! Merry Christmas! Hugs!,

“I’m a meatloaf fiend.” ~Chef John 😘 #ditto

This is so simple, but I never would have come up with it myself. How does the gravy get so dark and rich? Honestly, it's the best thing I've eaten all lockdown. Thanks John.

Bless you Chef Jon! You have not only changed my cooking game you have now, with this recipe, changed my life.

@Food Wishes I made this for my family a couple night ago. It was very good and fun to tell my kids about the TV dinners my wife and I had when we were kids.