Hambak Steak a.k.a. Salisbury Steak #SundaySupper

Salisbury steak was a dish created by a physician by the name of James Salisbury as part of his low-carbohydrate fad diet dating back to the late 1800′s. It was typically served with a brown sauce or gravy. When I think of Salisbury Steak, Swanson’s Hungry-Man Dinner comes to mind. As kids, commercials were practically the truth, and those Hungry-Man ads got me (and I’m sure my brother) hook, line, and sinker. I think my mom bought these “delicacies” for us twice after giving into our whiny pleas. My brother and I just savored the mushy brown patty swimming in a pool of  salty brown gravy with a side of mealy mash and mushy green pellets. Oh, and we can’t forget the indiscernible mound that was called dessert. Yum! Suffice it to say, that was the last time I had Salisbury Steak.

Salisbury steak made it around the world to the casual eateries or cafes of South Korea. It is better known as hambak steak and is typically served with a side of rice, potato salad, creamy coleslaw or a small salad of iceberg lettuce and shredded carrots. Any combination of the sides with hambak steak is a winner for me. Even a double whammy of carby sides of rice and potato salad is perfection. In Japan, they call this dish hanbagu steak. In Hawaii, the patty is served over a bed of rice and topped with a sunny side egg and called a loco moco. And if you want to get really wild and crazy, serve it on a bun and call it a hamburger.

Notes: If you have tonkatsu sauce, you can certainly substitute the sauce in place of the Worcestershire sauce and omit the soy sauce. Tonkatsu sauce is a sweeter, tangier, and thicker version of Worcestershire sauce. My dear friend, C. T. Schiffer, recommends serving a tonkatsu aioli – a mixture of tonkatsu sauce and Kewpie mayonnaise – with the hambak steak instead of the gravy. 

Hambak Steak

Makes 8 patties

For the patties:

1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 egg, beaten
1 onion, finely minced
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon soy sauce
2 Tablespoons ketchup

For the Gravy:

2 cups beef broth
1/4 cup ketchup
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon corn starch

1 – In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, panko, garlic, egg, onions, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and ketchup. Roll up your sleeves, get some food-safe gloves on, and get your hands into the bowl. Mix until blended well.

2 – Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and shape into oval patties about 1/2-inch thick.

3 – Heat a couple of tablespoons of cooking oil in a skillet over medium to medium-high heat.

4 – Cook patties until browned, about 4 minutes. Flip the patties and cook patties until browned, about another 3-4 minutes.

5 – Remove the patties and set aside on a plate.

6 – Reduce heat to medium. Pour about 1-3/4 cup of beef broth into the skillet – reserve a 1/4 cup of broth. Add the ketchup and Worcestershire sauce and let simmer for a couple of minutes. Whisk the corn starch into the reserved beef broth and add to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a simmer.

7 – Add the patties and cook until warmed through, a few minutes each side.

8 – Serve and enjoy!

This week’s Sunday Supper theme is Retro Recipes. These may be old family recipes or dishes that transport us back in time.  Here’s what the rest of the Sunday Supper crew is bringing to the table this week.

Sunday Supper Retro Appetizers:

• Irish Cheddar-Whiskey Fondue by girlichef
• She Devils: Beet Pickled Deviled Eggs by Ruffles & Truffles

Sunday Supper Retro Salads:

• Coca-Cola Salad by Magnolia Days
• Salmon Salad | Retro Tuna Salad by Family Foodie
• Ambrosia Salad by Simply Gourmet
• Romaine “Wedge” Salad with Hot Maple Bacon Dressing by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Carrot & Raisin Salad by The Roxx Box
• Sweet & Smoky Broccoli Salad by In The Kitchen with KP

Sunday Supper Retro Breads and Sandwiches:

• Italian Style Bread by The Meltaways
• Creamed Chipped Salmon Jerky on Toast by Pescetarian Journal
• Grown-Up Tuna Melts by Home Cooking Memories
• English Muffin Pizzas by Comfy Cuisine
• Patty Melt, Hand Cut Fries, & a Shake by Mooshu Jenne
• Toast Topper #16: Grandma’s Mock Apricot Jam by What Smells So Good?

SundaySupper Main Dishes:

• Chicken Pot Pie Topped With Bacon Cheddar Biscuits by Chocolate Moosey
• Tuna Noodle Casserole by Country Girl in the Village
• Nana’s Marinated Beef Roast by Supper for a Steal
• Chorizo Scotch Eggs by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
• Chicken Maryland by Vintage Kitchen Notes
• Mushroom Stroganoff by Small Wallet Big Appetite
• Dairyfree Toast Hawaii by Galactosemia in PDX
• Porcupine Meatballs by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Chicken Kiev by The Urban Mrs.
• Salmon Quiche with Preserved Lemon by Shockingly Delicious
• Steak Diane by Crispy Bits & Burnt Ends
• Fried Chicken only in the Oven by In the Kitchen with Audrey
• Hambak Steak a.k.a. Salisbury Steak by Kimchi Mom
• Retro-Redo: Homemade TV Dinner by The Little Ferraro Kitchen
• Kicked Up Meatloaf by Curious Cuisiniere
• Shrimp Scampi (a lighter version) by Kudos Kitchen
• Old-Fashioned Pork Chops by My Trials in the Kitchen
• Jägerschnitzel by Sustainable Dad
• Healthier Hamburger-Corn Noodle Casserole by The Weekend Gourmet
• Inspired by Tuna Noodle Casserole by Cookistry
• Chicken-N-Biscuits Pot Pie Casserole by The Messy Baker Blog
• Souper Pork Chops with Mashed Potatoes by Mama.Mommy.Mom
• Meatloaf that will make you swoon and Datz the truth by Midlife Roadtrip
• Spaghetti with Currywurst Sauce by Masala Herb
• Tator Tot Casserole by NeighborFood

Sunday Supper Retro Sides and Veggies:

• Smokey Braised Red Cabbage by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Classic Corn Casserole by The Foodie Army Wife
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Balsamic by Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
• Classic Green Bean Casserole Redux by The Wimpy Vegetarian
• Mem’s Broccoli Casserole by Momma’s Meals

Sunday Supper Retro Desserts and Cocktails:

• Peachy Keen Tutti-Frutti Jello by La Cocina de Leslie
• Old School Boozy Rum Cake by Webicurean
• Individual Baked Alaskas by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Rainbow Jello by Cravings of a Lunatic
• Pineapple Upside Down Cake by Noshing with the Nolands
• Pineapple Bars by Peanut Butter and Peppers
• Creamy Dairy Free Fresh Orange Julius With Coconut Milk  by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
• Refrigerator Strawberry Cheesecake by There and Back Again
• Frozen Pineapple Upside-Down Cake by Juanita’s Cocina
• Boston Cream Pie by Gotta Get Baked
• Coca-Cola Cupcakes by Daily Dish Recipes
• Jello Poke Cake by Flour On My Face
• Devil’s Food Cake by Maroc Mama
• Bread Pudding with Pecans by Basic and Delicious
• Victoria Sponge Cake by The Lovely Pantry
• A Chocolate Twist on the Classic Japanese Strawberry Shortcake by Ninja Baking
• Post War Apple Pudding by My Cute Bride
• Layered Mini Chocolate Banana Cakes by Big  Bears Wife
• Raspberry Jam Cakes by Pippis in the Kitchen Again
• Cocktail: Moscow Mule by Crazy by Crazy Foodie Stunts

Tagged as: easy, kid-friendly, korean