There are some suppers that earn their place by being plain, filling, and dependable, and these slow cooker poor man smothered patties do exactly that. This is the sort of meal that feels right at home in a Midwestern kitchen, where a few pantry staples and a package of hamburger patties can turn into a hot, savory dinner with hardly any fuss. Pouring canned beef gravy right over frozen patties may not sound fancy, but by supper time you get tender beef, onions, and mushrooms all tucked into a rich gravy that tastes mighty good over potatoes, rice, or bread.
Serve these smothered patties over mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or plain white rice so none of that gravy goes to waste. On the side, green beans, sweet corn, glazed carrots, or a simple garden salad make an easy plate, and a piece of warm bread or a fluffy biscuit is always welcome for sopping up the last spoonful.
Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Poor Man Smothered Patties
Servings: 4
Ingredients
4 frozen raw hamburger patties
2 cans beef gravy, about 10.5 to 12 ounces each
1 medium onion, sliced
8 ounces sliced mushrooms
Directions
1. Lightly coat the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray if you like easier cleanup. Arrange the frozen hamburger patties in the bottom of the slow cooker, overlapping slightly if needed.
2. Scatter the sliced onion and mushrooms evenly over the patties.
3. Pour the canned beef gravy evenly over the top, making sure the patties are well covered.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the patties are fully cooked and the onions are tender. If you can, gently spoon some gravy over the patties once during cooking.
5. Serve the patties hot with plenty of gravy spooned over mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice.
Variations & Tips
Add a little seasoning: If you want a bit more flavor, sprinkle the patties with black pepper, garlic powder, or onion powder before adding the vegetables and gravy. Since canned gravy is already seasoned, go easy at first.
Make it heartier: For a bigger meal, tuck a few extra mushrooms into the cooker or serve the patties over thick mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles. That extra starch stretches the meal the old-fashioned way.
Use fresh patties instead: If your hamburger patties are fresh rather than frozen, the cooking time may be a little shorter. Check for doneness after about 4 hours on LOW or 2 to 3 hours on HIGH.
Thicken the gravy if needed: If you like a thicker gravy, remove the cooked patties, then stir 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water and mix it into the hot gravy. Cover and cook on HIGH for another 10 to 15 minutes.
Storage tip: Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if the gravy tightens up too much.