Easy Amish Wedding Steak Recipe: A Hearty Family Favorite

Memories of hearty midwest potlucks always spark my excitement about this classic amish wedding steak dish that fills kitchens with comforting aromas.

Grandmothers across pennsylvania have perfected this tender beef preparation through generations of careful cooking.

Slow-simmered meat becomes incredibly soft and rich with minimal ingredients.

Humble farmhouse cooking meets delicious traditions in this simple yet satisfying meal.

Thick cuts of beef absorb savory seasonings that remind you of countryside gatherings.

Home cooks appreciate how straightforward yet delectable this recipe becomes when prepared with love.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this rustic classic that connects generations through its incredible flavor.

What’s Special About Amish Wedding Steak

• Effortlessly prepare a hearty meal that transforms simple ingredients into a delectable dinner.
• Delivers rich, nostalgic flavors reminiscent of traditional Amish home cooking with minimal kitchen complexity.
• Utilizes affordable ground meat and pantry staples to create a satisfying meal that feeds multiple people without breaking the bank.
• Allows advance preparation by chilling the meat mixture overnight, reducing day-of cooking stress and enhancing flavor development.

Ingredients in Amish Wedding Steak

• Ground Beef: A classic protein that provides rich, hearty flavor and forms the foundation of the dish.
• Cracker Crumbs: Adds texture and helps bind the meat mixture together, creating a lighter consistency.
• Onion: Brings depth and subtle sweetness to the meat mixture.

• Salt: Essential for enhancing the overall flavor profile.
• Pepper: Adds a mild heat and complements the beef's natural taste.
• Milk: Helps to keep the meat mixture moist and tender.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates a crispy exterior when dredging the meat squares.
• Butter or Margarine: Provides a rich base for searing and adds golden color.
• Cream of Mushroom Soup: Serves as the primary gravy base with creamy consistency.
• Water: Helps thin and distribute the soup for even coverage.
• Mushrooms: Optional ingredient that adds earthy flavor and extra texture to the gravy.

How to Cook Tender Amish Wedding Steak

Step 1: Blend Meat Mixture

• Ground beef
• Cracker crumbs
• Milk
• Chopped onion
• Salt
• Pepper

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until completely combined. Press mixture firmly into a square cake pan, ensuring even distribution. Cover and refrigerate overnight to develop rich flavors.

Step 2: Create Perfect Portions

Remove chilled meat mixture from refrigerator. Cut into square serving pieces. Coat each piece thoroughly in all-purpose flour, ensuring complete coverage on all sides.

Step 3: Sizzle and Brown

Heat skillet over medium temperature. Melt butter or margarine. Carefully place floured meat pieces into hot pan. Sear each side until achieving a beautiful golden-brown color. Transfer browned pieces into baking dish.

Step 4: Whip Up Creamy Gravy

Combine cream of mushroom soup with water. Add mushrooms if desired. Stir until smooth and well-blended. Pour gravy evenly over browned meat pieces in baking dish.

Step 5: Slow Bake to Perfection

Preheat oven to 350F. Cover baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake for 90 minutes until meat becomes incredibly tender and fully cooked.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from oven. Let dish rest briefly. Serve hot alongside creamy mashed potatoes or buttered noodles. Drizzle extra gravy over meat for maximum flavor.

Tips That Add Flavor to Every Bite

• Maximize Meat Flavor: Refrigerate the meat mixture overnight to enhance depth and allow seasonings to fully infuse throughout the mixture.
• Make Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dish in advance and store in the refrigerator, which helps develop richer flavors and saves cooking time on busy days.
• Crispy Coating Technique: Use a light, even flour coating to create a golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture and adds delightful texture to the meat.
• Gravy Consistency Control: Adjust gravy thickness by adding more water or using less liquid to achieve your preferred sauce texture without compromising taste.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap all-purpose flour with gluten-free alternatives like rice flour or cornstarch to make the recipe suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.

Store Amish Wedding Steak Properly for Later

• Store remaining Amish Wedding Steak in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then place in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, place steak pieces in a baking dish, add a splash of water or extra gravy to prevent drying, cover with foil, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
• Place steak on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming.

What Sides to Serve with Wedding Steak

• Pair this hearty Amish Wedding Steak with a robust red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon, which cuts through the rich, creamy gravy and complements the beef's deep flavors.
• Serve with buttered egg noodles or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious mushroom gravy, creating a perfect marriage of textures and tastes.
• Add roasted green beans or glazed carrots on the side to bring fresh, slightly sweet notes that balance the meat's savory intensity and provide a nutritional counterpoint.
• Include warm, crusty sourdough or soft dinner rolls to help diners mop up every last drop of the luxurious mushroom gravy, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Fun Variations for This Traditional Dish

Vegetarian Rework: Replace ground beef with a plant-based alternative like crumbled firm tofu or lentil mixture, maintaining the same seasoning and preparation method for a protein-rich vegetarian version.

Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free rice flour or cornstarch for dredging, and use gluten-free crackers or almond meal instead of traditional cracker crumbs to accommodate gluten sensitivities.

Low-Sodium Adaptation: Reduce salt content by using low-sodium crackers, replacing regular salt with herbs like thyme or rosemary, and selecting a reduced-sodium cream of mushroom soup to manage sodium intake without compromising flavor.

Keto-Friendly Modification: Swap cracker crumbs with crushed pork rinds or almond flour, use heavy cream instead of milk, and ensure the ground meat is high-fat content to align with ketogenic dietary requirements while preserving the recipe’s core essence.

FAQs on Amish Wedding Steak

• What is the secret to the tender texture of Amish Wedding Steak?

The key is chilling the meat mixture overnight and slow baking, which helps break down the proteins and allows the flavors to develop deeply, resulting in an incredibly tender dish.

• Can I substitute the ground beef with another type of meat?

While ground beef is traditional, you can use ground turkey or ground pork as alternatives. Just ensure the fat content is similar to maintain the recipe’s moisture and flavor profile.

• Why do I need to dredge the meat pieces in flour?

Dredging creates a light, crispy exterior that helps seal in the meat’s juices and provides a beautiful golden-brown color when seared, adding texture and enhancing the overall flavor of the dish.

• Is this recipe considered budget-friendly?

Absolutely! Amish Wedding Steak uses simple, affordable ingredients like ground meat, crackers, and cream of mushroom soup, making it an economical meal that feeds a crowd without sacrificing taste.

Amish Wedding Steak Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty Amish wedding steak brings rustic comfort straight from Pennsylvania kitchens, blending tender beef with rich, savory gravy. Homestyle cooking meets family tradition, promising a satisfying meal that connects you to generations of culinary heritage.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 pounds round steak, tenderized, or ground beef

Binding and Coating:

• 2 cups soda cracker crumbs
• 2 cups milk
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (for dredging)

Gravy:

• 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) water
• 1 can mushrooms (optional; fresh or canned)

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Instructions

1. Craft a robust meat mixture by thoroughly blending ground beef, cracker crumbs, milk, onion, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing vessel until ingredients are uniformly integrated.
2. Transfer the combined mixture into a square cake pan, pressing firmly and evenly, then seal and refrigerate overnight to enhance flavor development and structural cohesion.
3. After chilling, slice the consolidated meat block into individual serving portions and delicately coat each piece with a fine dusting of all-purpose flour, ensuring complete coverage.
4. Activate a skillet with melted butter and gently sear the flour-dredged meat segments, developing a golden-brown exterior on each side before relocating to a designated baking receptacle.
5. Construct a luxurious gravy by whisking cream of mushroom soup with water and optional mushrooms until achieving a smooth, consistent texture.
6. Lavishly drape the prepared gravy over the browned meat pieces, guaranteeing comprehensive coverage. Position the baking dish in a preheated 350F oven, shielded with aluminum foil, and allow to roast for approximately 90 minutes until meat reaches optimal tenderness.
7. Extract from oven, permit brief resting, then present alongside creamy mashed potatoes or buttered noodles, allowing the rich gravy to cascade deliciously across the accompaniments.

Notes

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based alternatives for healthier protein options that maintain the recipe’s hearty texture.
• Gluten-sensitive cooks can use gluten-free crackers or almond flour instead of traditional crackers to create a celiac-friendly version.
• Enhance flavor complexity by adding minced garlic or fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to the meat mixture for deeper, more nuanced taste profiles.
• Reduce sodium content by choosing low-sodium cream of mushroom soup and using homemade mushroom sauce as a lighter alternative to canned products.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg