This hamburger patties with gravy recipe features juicy beef patties slow-cooked in a tangy ketchup gravy with tender onion and bell pepper for an easy, satisfying weeknight meal.
Ground beef is a go-to for many families, and this slow cooker hamburger patties recipe makes the most of it. It blends the comforting flavors of ketchup, stuffed bell pepper, and seasoned ground beef into one simple dish that practically cooks itself.
Preparation is quick: crush saltine crackers, mix them with an egg and the ground beef, shape the mixture into patties, and place them in the slow cooker. In a separate bowl, whisk together ketchup, water, and Italian seasoning to create a flavorful gravy. Pour the sauce over the patties, add diced onion and bell pepper, cover, and let the slow cooker do the rest.
This method requires minimal hands-on time—assemble everything in the morning and come home to a delicious dinner. I like serving these hamburger patties with gravy over a bed of rice, but they’re also excellent with mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or roasted vegetables.
Recipe Ingredients
- Ground beef
- Saltine crackers
- Onion
- Ketchup
- Bell pepper
- Egg
- Italian seasoning
How to Make Hamburger Patties With Gravy
Crush the saltines and add them to a mixing bowl with the egg and ground beef.
Mix thoroughly with your hands or a fork.
Form the mixture into 4 patties and place them in the bottom of the slow cooker.
In a separate bowl, combine ketchup, water, and Italian seasoning for the gravy.
Pour the sauce over the patties, then top with chopped onion and bell pepper.
Cover and cook on low for 7–8 hours or on high for 3–4 hours.
If you prefer a thicker sauce, stir in a little extra ketchup at the end, but it’s tasty as is.
Season with salt and black pepper to taste, serve over rice, and enjoy!
Storage
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.
- Freeze cooled leftovers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Recipe Notes
- If you don’t have saltines, plain breadcrumbs work well as a substitute.
- Swap lean ground beef for ground turkey to lighten the dish.
- If you want to add more vegetables, sliced mushrooms make a great addition and pair well with the gravy.
Recipe FAQs
Can I place raw ground beef in the slow cooker?
Yes. Shape the patties from raw ground beef and cook them in the slow cooker—the long, gentle heat cooks the meat and develops flavor in the gravy.
What else goes well with hamburger patties with gravy?
These patties are versatile. Serve them as a main dish with:
- Mashed potatoes
- Buttered egg noodles
- Macaroni and cheese
- Tater tots
- Steamed or roasted vegetables such as green beans, peas and carrots, broccoli, or corn
What’s the difference between Salisbury steak, hamburger steak, and hamburger patties?
The names overlap but have subtle differences. Salisbury steak is ground beef mixed with binder ingredients like breadcrumbs and egg and is usually served with a mushroom or onion gravy. Hamburger steak is similar but often more simply seasoned. Hamburger patties are typically formed for sandwiches but can be prepared and served like Salisbury steak when cooked with gravy. All are delicious in their own right and interchangeable depending on how you serve them.
More dinner ideas
Hamburger Patties With Ketchup Gravy
Ingredients
- 1–2 pounds ground beef
- 1/2 sleeve crushed saltines
- 1 egg
- 2/3 cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 tbsp dry Italian seasoning
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
Instructions
- Crush saltines and place in a large bowl with the egg and ground beef. Mix well, then form the mixture into 4 patties. Place patties in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Mix ketchup, water, and Italian seasoning in a separate bowl and pour over the patties in the slow cooker. Top with chopped onion and bell pepper.
- Cook on low for 7–8 hours or on high for 3–4 hours.
- Serve the patties and gravy over rice or your preferred side dish.
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
– Jane Goodall
