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Salisbury steak facts for kids

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Salisbury steak
Salisbury steak with brown sauce.jpg
Salisbury steak with brown gravy
Course Entrée
Place of origin United States
Region or state Missouri
Created by James H. Salisbury
Serving temperature Hot
Main ingredients Ground beef
Ingredients generally used Various
Similar dishes Hamburger

Salisbury steak is a tasty dish from the United States. It's made from ground beef mixed with other ingredients. People usually eat it with a yummy gravy or brown sauce. It's quite similar to a Hamburg steak.

What is Salisbury Steak?

Salisbury steak is a type of meat patty. It's made from ground beef, which is beef that has been finely chopped or minced. Other things are mixed in, like breadcrumbs, eggs, and seasonings. This makes the patty hold together and gives it flavor.

After the patties are shaped, they are usually cooked by pan-frying or baking. Then, they are served hot, often covered in a rich, savory gravy. It's a popular meal, especially in the United States.

History of Salisbury Steak

The idea of making patties from ground meat has been around for a long time. In the 1800s, many people traveled from places like Hamburg, Germany, to the United States. They often arrived in New York City. Restaurants in New York started making dishes like "Hamburg-style American fillet" to please these new arrivals. These early dishes were often made from ground beef.

Who Named Salisbury Steak?

Hamburg steak
Hamburg steak is known as "Frikadelle" in Germany. It has been around since at least the 1600s.

The name "Salisbury steak" comes from an American doctor named James H. Salisbury (1823–1905). He was a doctor and a chemist. Dr. Salisbury believed that eating a lot of meat was good for your health. He thought it could help with digestion problems.

Around 1897, the term "Salisbury steak" became popular in the United States. It referred to a patty of ground beef served as the main part of a meal. The way Dr. Salisbury made his meat patties was a bit different from how we make Salisbury steak today. He focused on lean beef and specific cooking methods.

Today, Salisbury steak is a common meal. You can find it in many restaurants and even in the frozen food section of supermarkets. It's often served with mashed potatoes or other side dishes.

How Salisbury Steak is Made (Packaged)

When you buy Salisbury steak that's already made and packaged, there are rules about what can be in it. These rules are set by the United States Department of Agriculture.

  • Meat Content: At least 65% of the product must be meat. This meat is mostly beef. Up to 25% of the meat can be pork.
  • Fat Content: The product cannot have more than 30% fat.
  • Other Ingredients: Things like breadcrumbs, flour, or oat flakes can be added, but only up to 12% of the total. Vegetables like onions or mushrooms, and seasonings, are also allowed. Sometimes, egg is added to help the patty stick together.
  • Cooking: Packaged Salisbury steak must be fully cooked. If it's not, it has to be labeled as "Patties for Salisbury Steak."

These rules help make sure that packaged Salisbury steak is a consistent product.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Torta de carne para niños

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