Creamy whiskey hamburger steaks. Juicy ground beef patties smothered in a rich, creamy whiskey sauce. Hearty, comforting, and ready in just 30 minutes! It’s the kind of weeknight dinner that feels like a treat.
If you love this recipe, try my Hamburger steaks in Tuscan sauce or this Roasted bell pepper and beef Alfredo.
Why this will be your new favorite dinner
These tender beef patties are out-of-this-world delicious, especially with a side of buttery mashed potatoes. Rustic and humble, yet elegant enough for dinner parties, this hearty skillet meal delivers big flavor and cozy vibes. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll want to make on repeat.
Watch the recipe video
Cook along with me! I’ll walk you through this easy recipe in my step-by-step video, or follow along on YouTube.
Juicy patties
The recipe features beef and whiskey, a combo that always delivers. I mix lean ground beef with an egg, breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, and a grated shallot, then shape the mixture into 4 equal balls.
Here’s the trick: don’t overmix or knead the meat. Just combine everything gently and form the balls loosely. Overworking the mixture makes the patties tough and dry, while a light touch keeps them juicy, tender, and full of flavor.
Pro tip
Want to switch it up? You can easily make this with ground chicken, turkey, or even pork. They all work wonderfully, just use what you have on hand or whatever you’re in the mood for.
Once the hamburger steaks are seared, I set them aside and use the same skillet to build the sauce, soaking up all those flavorful juices from the meat. The sauce is simple, but luxuriously rich. I start by softening garlic and shallots, then stir in mustard, salt, pepper, and a little flour. Next comes the fun part, deglazing the skillet with whiskey, followed by beef broth and cream.
Finally, the patties go back into the skillet, where everything simmers together for about 5 minutes. The result? Pure comfort, you’ll just have to try it!
Tip for success
If you like extra flavor, mix in a dash of Worcestershire sauce.
Serving suggestions
- Classic pairings: Mashed potatoes are my go-to, but egg noodles or garlic bread is a close second, perfect for soaking up that sauce.
- Veggies: A crisp leafy salad with balsamic dressing, green beans, peas and carrots, or steamed broccoli.
- Fresh sides: Coleslaw, a refreshing cucumber salad, or a tangy tomato-cucumber salad all pair beautifully with the rich cream sauce.
Make ahead
You can prepare the hamburger steak mixture and shape it into balls up to 8 hours in advance. Store them covered in the fridge until you’re ready to cook. For the best results, take them out about 20 minutes beforehand to let them come to room temperature.
Storing suggestions
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Place in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat. Stir occasionally and add a splash of cream or milk to bring the sauce back to its silky texture.
Kitchen essentials
- Cast Iron Pan or Braiser – gives the hamburger steaks that gorgeous crust and deep sear.
- Burger Press – ensures evenly thick patties, smashed right in the pan for perfect results.
Hamburger Steaks with Creamy Whiskey Sauce
Ingredients
Hamburger steaks
- 1.8 pounds ground beef
- 4 tbsp breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 egg
- 1 shallot - grated
Whiskey cream sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 shallots - diced
- 2 garlic cloves - minced
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ½ cup whiskey
- ½ cup beef broth
- 1 cup cream 20% fat (cooking cream) - or heavy cream
- 2 tbsp chopped chives
Instructions
- To a large bowl, combine ground beef with the egg, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper and grated shallot. Mix with your hands until just combined. Divide beef mixture into 4 equal portions, and shape each portion into a ball. Set aside.
- Dice the shallots, mince the garlic cloves and chop the chives.
- Heat oil and butter in a large thick-bottomed skillet or an iron skillet over medium high. Add beef balls, press down on each one by using a spatula or a burger press until ¾ inch or 2 cm thick. Sear 5 minutes per side. Remove from skillet onto a clean plate.
- Reduce heat to medium, add garlic and shallot. Cook for 1 minute. Stir in mustard, salt, pepper and flour.
- Deglaze with whiskey and simmer for 3 minutes while stirring and scraping up the brown bits on the bottom of your skillet with a wooden spoon.
- Pour in beef broth and bring to a boil. Pour in cream and stir until combined. Return the hamburger steaks to the skillet, spoon sauce on top and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Finish off with chopped chives and freshly grated black pepper. Enjoy!
Video
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