Nothing beats a cozy, comforting meal like this Creamy Dill Hamburger Steaks Recipe. It’s got that perfect mix of juicy beef patties and a dreamy, herb-infused cream sauce that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Let me walk you through how to make it your new weeknight favorite.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
When I first tried this recipe, I was amazed at how simple ingredients came together to create such a delicious, elegant dish. It’s an easy way to elevate simple ground beef into something really special, and I’m excited for you to experience that same delight!
- Incredible Flavor: The combination of fresh dill and rich cream sauce transforms classic hamburger steaks into something gourmet.
- Simple Ingredients: Using pantry staples and common fresh ingredients means you can make this any night without stress.
- Comforting and Filling: This dish fills you right up but feels special — perfect for family dinners or impressing guests.
- Hands-On Tips Included: I’ll share my personal tricks to get the patties juicy and the sauce silky smooth every time.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each element of this Creamy Dill Hamburger Steaks Recipe has a purpose—from the tenderizing cream in the patties to the freshness of the dill in the sauce. Here’s a quick peek at why I love them all in this dish.
- Ground beef: Choose 80-85% lean for juicy, flavorful patties without drying out.
- Breadcrumbs: These help bind the patties and soak up moisture so they stay tender.
- Onion: Adding finely diced or grated onion gives natural sweetness and depth.
- Heavy cream: For richness in both patties and sauce, adding velvety texture and flavor.
- Egg: Acts as a binder, ensuring your patties hold together nicely while cooking.
- Butter: The base for your sauce, giving it a silky mouthfeel.
- Garlic: Brings warmth and complexity to the sauce’s flavor profile.
- Flour: Used to thicken the sauce without clumps when whisked properly.
- Low-sodium chicken stock: Adds savory depth without overpowering the dill.
- Fresh dill: The star herb here — bright, slightly tangy, and healing for the rich cream.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for balancing all the flavors perfectly.
Make It Your Way
I love making this Creamy Dill Hamburger Steaks Recipe my own depending on what’s in my fridge or what mood I’m in. It’s such a flexible dish that lends itself well to little tweaks!
- Make it lighter: I sometimes swap half the heavy cream for whole milk or Greek yogurt for fewer calories but still creamy sauce.
- Add mushrooms: Sautéed mushrooms folded into the sauce add earthiness and pair beautifully with the dill.
- Make it spicy: A pinch of cayenne or a few chopped fresh chilis kicked up the sauce for a fiery twist I've enjoyed.
- Herb swaps: If dill isn’t your thing, fresh tarragon or parsley work great too.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Dill Hamburger Steaks Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Patties Just Right
Start by combining your ground beef, breadcrumbs, finely diced onion, heavy cream, egg, and seasoning in a large bowl. The key? Mix gently just until everything is combined—overmixing makes the patties tough. Once mixed, divide into four equal portions and flatten each to about half an inch thick. Set them aside to firm up slightly while you prep your pan.
Step 2: Sear Those Patties to Perfection
Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, then add your patties. Cook each side for about 4 to 5 minutes until they develop a beautiful crust and are cooked through. Resist the urge to press down—keep those juices intact! Once done, transfer them to a clean plate and keep warm.
Step 3: Whip Up the Creamy Dill Sauce
In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and soft, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook just until fragrant—watch closely, about 20 seconds. Sprinkle the flour over the onion and garlic, whisking to form a smooth roux, cooking out the raw flour taste for a minute.
Slowly pour in the chicken stock while whisking, then add the heavy cream. Keep whisking so the sauce thickens evenly—it should take about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in a tablespoon of fresh dill, then nestle the hamburger steaks back into the pan, spooning sauce over them. Let everything simmer gently for another 4 to 5 minutes so the flavors meld.
Step 4: Finish Strong and Serve
Season the sauce and patties one last time with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with the remaining fresh dill for that vibrant pop of color and flavor. Grab a fork and dig in—you just made something wonderful!
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve learned a few insider tricks to make sure this Creamy Dill Hamburger Steaks Recipe turns out perfectly every time. These small tips help with texture and flavor balance, ensuring no surprises at dinnertime!
- Don’t Overmix: When combining beef and other ingredients for the patties, mix gently so you don’t make them tough.
- Deglaze the Pan: Use the chicken stock to scrape up flavorful browned bits left from the patties—this adds depth to your sauce.
- Fresh Dill Finish: Always add some chopped dill at the end of cooking for that fresh, bright flavor that cream can mute if cooked too long.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the patties sit a couple minutes in the sauce off heat to soak in all those lovely flavors.
How to Serve Creamy Dill Hamburger Steaks Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle a little extra fresh dill over the top right before serving for a vibrant green pop and bright herby aroma. Sometimes I add a lemon wedge on the side to brighten things up—just a little squeeze can cut through the creaminess beautifully.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with buttery mashed potatoes to soak up that luscious sauce. Roasted green beans or a crisp cucumber salad add refreshing crunch and balance. And if you’re feeling indulgent, some warm crusty bread is a must-have to mop up every last drop!
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, I’ve plated these steaks with a dollop of horseradish cream and a sprig of dill on top. Serving on elegant white plates with neat side mounds of mashed potatoes and seasonal veggies turns this humble meal into a restaurant-worthy presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying dinner, any leftover hamburger steaks and sauce store well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I find the flavors actually deepen overnight, so leftovers sometimes taste even better the next day.
Freezing
If I want to make a big batch, I freeze the cooked patties separately on a baking sheet, then transfer them into freezer bags. The sauce freezes well too, but I pack it on the side. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat your leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally so the sauce stays smooth and doesn’t break. Adding a splash of milk or cream can refresh the sauce if it thickened too much in the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! Ground turkey or chicken can be a lighter alternative. Just keep in mind they have less fat, so add a bit of extra fat like olive oil or a tablespoon of mayo to keep the patties moist. Cooking times should be similar.
To keep the sauce silky and smooth, make sure to add the cream slowly over low heat and whisk constantly. Avoid boiling the sauce vigorously after adding cream, as this can cause curdling. Gentle simmering is key.
Absolutely! You can prepare and shape the patties a few hours ahead and keep them covered in the fridge until cooking time. This makes dinnertime even easier when you’re ready to sear and make the sauce.
The best way is to reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. You can add a splash of milk or cream if the sauce has thickened too much. Microwaving works too, but low and slow stovetop reheating preserves texture best.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Dill Hamburger Steaks Recipe has quickly become one of my easiest go-to comfort foods, especially when I want something hearty but with a touch of freshness. I hope you’ll enjoy making it as much as I do, and that it brings some cozy satisfaction to your dinner table. Trust me, once you try these tender steaks swimming in dill-kissed cream sauce, you’ll want to make them again and again!
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Delicious Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
Hamburger Cream Steaks are a comforting and flavorful dish featuring seasoned ground beef patties cooked to juicy perfection and smothered in a rich, creamy dill sauce. This recipe blends simple ingredients into a satisfying meal perfect for dinner.
Ingredients
For the Hamburger Steaks
- 1.3 pounds ground beef
- 4 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- 1 large onion, finely diced or grated
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 large egg
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
For the Cream Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken stock
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, divided
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Hamburger Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, finely diced onion, heavy cream, egg, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Mix gently until just combined to avoid overworking the meat.
- Shape the Patties: Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions. Shape each portion into a ball and flatten them to about ½ inch thickness. Set aside while you prepare the sauce.
- Cook the Hamburger Steaks: Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until browned and cooked through. Transfer the cooked patties to a clean plate and set aside.
- Make the Cream Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the diced small onion and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 20 seconds until fragrant.
- Thicken the Sauce: Season the onion and garlic with kosher salt and black pepper. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and whisk constantly until the flour lumps dissolve. Reduce the heat to medium-low and slowly add the chicken stock while whisking to prevent lumps.
- Add Cream and Dill: Pour in the heavy cream gradually while whisking continuously until the sauce thickens. Stir in 1 tablespoon of the chopped fresh dill.
- Simmer with Patties: Nestle the cooked hamburger steaks back into the skillet with the sauce. Let everything simmer together gently for 4 to 5 minutes so the patties absorb the flavors. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the remaining tablespoon of fresh dill over the top for a fresh finish. Serve the hamburger cream steaks hot with the creamy dill sauce.
Notes
- Use freshly ground black pepper for the best flavor.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs and use a gluten-free flour blend for the sauce.
- If fresh dill is unavailable, dried dill can be used but use half the quantity to avoid overpowering the sauce.
- Do not overmix the hamburger meat mixture to keep the patties tender.
- The sauce can be made ahead and reheated gently; if it thickens too much, stir in a little extra cream or stock to loosen.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 570 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg
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