Can You Prep Salisbury Steak Ahead Of Time?

Make-ahead meals are the go-to for many hard-working people who, despite being busy from the minute they wake up to the moment they put their head down on their pillow at night, want to eat healthy and homemade foods. And for those with hectic lives, having a comforting meal like macaroni and cheese or meatloaf and mashed potatoes ready to eat after a chaotic day of juggling a massive to-do list is a comforting feeling.

Some hearty recipes are well-suited for Sunday food prep, such as cheesy broccoli rice casserole and sausage ricotta lasagna. Generally, casseroles, stews, and items that can be added to grain bowls are ideal make-ahead meals because they can be frozen or kept in the refrigerator for a few days and still taste good after being reheated. 

Neither a casserole nor a stew, but definitely a homemade classic, does Salisbury steak make the cut for a suitable make-ahead meal?

While steak may be in its name, Salisbury steak is more like a small meatloaf patty than a cut of beefy steak, which actually makes it much better suited for being prepped early. Salisbury steak offers a couple of make-ahead options: Craft the patties and freeze to be cooked when wanted or prepare, cook, and freeze to be reheated later. 

To make Salisbury steak ahead of time, prepare the ground beef patties as normal with breadcrumbs, egg, and seasonings. Then, cover a baking sheet with a layer of parchment paper and place the patties on it. The patties should be frozen for about two to three hours and then removed from the cooking sheet and placed in a freezer bag or airtight container. Before baking, the Salisbury steak patties should be thawed overnight in the refrigerator. Or, the other option is to completely prepare and cook Salisbury steak ahead of time. After the cooked patties have been allowed to cool, they can be placed in a container and frozen for up to three months, according to When is Dinner. Before reheating in a skillet on in the oven, the patties should be thawed. If simply wanting to make Salisbury steak a few hours before dinner, they can be prepared and kept in the fridge on a cooking sheet until you are ready to cook them. 

With several make-ahead options, a good Salisbury recipe should definitely be in your recipe collection.