At Graceland, Elvis Presley favored hearty, familiar suppers. His longtime cook Mary Jenkins Langston was remembered for serving him hamburger steaks alongside other Southern favorites. Unlike a cheeseburger, hamburger steak arrives without a bun: a seasoned beef patty served as the center of a plated meal.

The historical record establishes hamburger steak as a dish Mary prepared, but it does not establish the exact seasoning or gravy. This straightforward onion-gravy version is a home-kitchen reconstruction, not an authenticated Graceland recipe.

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Recipe Information

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy (2 of 5)
Cost: Economical ($$ of $$$$$)
Region/Ethnic Origin: Southern United States

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, approximately 85 percent lean
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

1. Divide the ground beef into four equal portions and shape into oval patties about 3/4 inch thick. Season both sides with the salt and pepper.
2. Heat the oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the patties for approximately 3 minutes on each side, until browned. Transfer to a plate; they will finish cooking in the gravy.
3. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onion and butter to the skillet. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring often, until the onion softens and begins to brown.
4. Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the broth and Worcestershire sauce, scraping up the browned bits from the pan.
5. Return the patties and any juices to the skillet. Reduce to a gentle simmer, cover loosely, and cook for approximately 8 to 12 minutes, until the gravy thickens and the center of each patty reaches 160°F on a food thermometer.
6. Taste the gravy and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve each hamburger steak with onions and gravy spooned over the top.

Kitchen Notes

Use a light hand when shaping the beef so the steaks remain tender. The onion gravy is a familiar Southern accompaniment, but the available historical accounts do not establish that Mary Jenkins served this exact gravy with Elvis’s hamburger steak. Mashed potatoes are a suitable serving suggestion, not proof of the original plating.

A Little Graceland History

The Easter egg is the distinction between two dishes with the same starting ingredient. Mary Jenkins Langston reportedly served Elvis both cheeseburgers and hamburger steaks. One belonged in a bun; the other was a knife-and-fork supper. That small detail offers a glimpse of the variety within the Graceland kitchen.

Historical Recipe Disclaimer: This collection celebrates foods documented as favorites of Elvis Presley through historical accounts, interviews, family recollections, and published materials. Unless specifically identified as an authenticated historical recipe, the preparations presented here are carefully researched interpretations rather than exact reproductions of dishes served at Graceland. Carter Family Recipes is an independent culinary publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Graceland, or the Presley estate.