Hamburger Steak Smothered in Onions

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 lb ground beef, 80 percent lean
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 1 small yellow onion, grated
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 large yellow onions, sliced into half moons
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 cups beef broth
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

Before you cook

• Grate the small onion and squeeze out most of its liquid.
• Combine the ground beef, panko, egg, grated onion, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl.
• Mix with your hands only until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
• Divide the mixture into four oval patties about three quarters of an inch thick and press a shallow dimple into each center.

Steps

1. Heat the oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
2. Sear the patties for 4 minutes until a deep crust forms on the bottom.
3. Flip the patties and sear the second side for 3 minutes.
4. Move the patties to a plate, leaving the fat and browned bits in the skillet.
5. Lower the heat to medium and add the butter.
6. Add the sliced onions with a pinch of salt and cook for 14 minutes, stirring often, until deeply golden.
7. Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir constantly for 2 minutes.
8. Pour in the beef broth in stages, stirring smooth after each addition.
9. Stir in the soy sauce and thyme and bring the gravy to a simmer.
10. Return the patties and their juices to the skillet and spoon onions over each one.
11. Cover and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.
12. Check that a patty reads 160 degrees Fahrenheit at the center.
13. Serve each hamburger steak buried in onion gravy over mashed potatoes or rice.