2 pounds lean ground beef reserve pan drippings
1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon Cajun Seasoning
1 teaspoon Onion powder
Kosher salt to own taste
Freshly ground black peppercorns to own taste
1 tablespoon Olive oil for cast iron skillet
Brown Gravy with Onions:
3 tablespoons Reserved Pan drippings or butter
1 large Yellow onion sliced
3 tablespoons All-Purpose flour
2 1/2 cups Strong and Savory Beef broth + more if needed
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce +more if desired
Kosher salt to own taste
Freshly Ground black pepper to own taste
In a large glass bowl combine lean ground beef, Panko breadcrumbs, Cajun seasoning, onion powder, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Once combined form 6 balls from the meat mixture and form 6 patties. Place on a plate, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until needed. Heat a large cast iron skillet on medium heat, place 1 tablespoon of olive oil in the cast iron skillet, add the 6 hamburger patties in the skillet ( you may need 2 pans or to do in batches if your skillet is smaller) Leave the patties to cook 5-6 minutes on one side without moving. Flip the patties and cook another 5 minutes on the other side. Remove the patties from the skillet and place on a plate. Do not drain cast iron skillet of pan drippings/oil. If you have used lean ground beef you should have close to 3 tablespoons of oil, (if not use 3 tablespoons of butter for gravy.) At this time add the sliced yellow onions and cook on medium heat about 5 minutes in pan drippings of butter. Add the flour, and stir onions and flour in the pan drippings or butter until the flour taste has cooked off. This should only take a few minutes. Once the flour and onions are done add 2 1/2 cups of strong beef broth (not stock), Worcestershire sauce, Kosher salt, and Freshly Ground black pepper. Stir for 2-3 minutes until the gravy starts forming and tightening. Once the gravy tightens add the hamburger patties back in the cast iron skillet, reduce heat to lowest setting and cook about 25 minutes. Stir occasionally and flip patties over. Remove from heat source and serve immediately with white rice, mashed potatoes, or even egg noodles.