Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs are a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender meatballs simmered in a rich, savory brown gravy. This easy, hands-off recipe is perfect for busy days when you want a hearty meal without the hassle.
Why Youโll Love This Recipe
- Requires minimal prep and cooks effortlessly in the slow cooker
- Packed with rich, comforting flavors
- Perfect for meal prep and leftovers
- Family-friendly and pairs well with mashed potatoes or rice
- Uses simple pantry ingredients
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Ground beef
- Bread crumbs
- Egg
- Milk
- Onion (finely chopped)
- Garlic (minced)
- Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper
- Oil (for browning)
- Beef broth
- Mushroom soup
- Ketchup
- Dijon mustard
- Cornstarch (for thickening, if needed)
Directions
- In a large bowl, mix ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, milk, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Shape into meatballs.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides (they donโt need to cook through).
- Transfer meatballs to the slow cooker.
- In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, mushroom soup, ketchup, and Dijon mustard. Pour over the meatballs.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours.
- If the gravy needs thickening, mix cornstarch with a little water, stir into the slow cooker, and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes until thickened.
- Serve warm over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4-6
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours on low, or 2-3 hours on high
Variations
- Turkey Option:ย Swap ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner alternative.
- Mushroom Addition:ย Add sliced mushrooms for extra depth of flavor.
- Gluten-Free:ย Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and ensure all sauces are gluten-free.
- Spicy Kick:ย Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigerator:ย Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer:ย Freeze cooked meatballs and gravy in a sealed container for up to 3 months.
- Reheating:ย Warm in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave until heated through. Add a splash of broth if the gravy thickens too much.
FAQs
How do I prevent my meatballs from falling apart?
Make sure to use enough binding ingredients like breadcrumbs and egg, and avoid overmixing the meat mixture.
Can I skip browning the meatballs?
Yes, but browning adds extra flavor and helps the meatballs hold their shape.
What can I serve with these meatballs?
Mashed potatoes, rice, egg noodles, or even steamed vegetables make great sides.
Can I make this dish dairy-free?
Use a dairy-free milk alternative and ensure your mushroom soup is dairy-free.
Can I use frozen meatballs?
Yes, but the flavor is best with homemade meatballs. If using frozen, reduce the cook time slightly.
How do I make the gravy thicker?
Add a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) and cook until thickened.
Can I make this in an Instant Pot?
Yes! Brown the meatballs using the sautรฉ function, then pressure cook on high for 10 minutes with a quick release.
Whatโs the best way to freeze this dish?
Freeze meatballs and gravy in an airtight container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure your slow cooker is large enough to accommodate everything.
Does this recipe work with ground pork?
Yes! You can use a mix of ground beef and pork for extra flavor.
Conclusion
Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs are an easy, comforting dish perfect for busy nights. With a rich, flavorful gravy and tender meatballs, this meal is sure to become a family favorite. Serve it over mashed potatoes or rice, and enjoy a stress-free, delicious dinner!
PrintSlow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Description
Theseย Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballsย are tender, juicy, and packed with rich, savory flavors. Made with ground beef and simmered in a delicious brown gravy, this dish is perfect for serving over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles. Itโs an easy, family-friendly meal that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum comfort!
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned)
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
For the Gravy:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
Instructions
-
Prepare the Meatballs:
- In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, and ketchup.
- Form into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a baking sheet.
- Optionally, brown the meatballs in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side to enhance flavor.
-
Prepare the Slow Cooker:
- Place the chopped onions in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Arrange the meatballs on top of the onions.
-
Make the Gravy:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Pour the mixture over the meatballs.
-
Cook:
- Cover and cook onย low for 5-6 hoursย orย high for 3-4 hours.
-
Thicken the Gravy:
- In a small bowl, mixย 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons waterย to make a slurry.
- Stir into the slow cooker and cook for an additionalย 15-20 minutesย until the gravy thickens.
-
Serve:
- Enjoy over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.
Notes
- For extra flavor, sear the meatballs before adding them to the slow cooker.
- Useย lean ground beef (85/15)ย for the best texture and flavor.
- You can substitute ground turkey for a lighter version.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator forย up to 3 daysย or freeze forย up to 3 months.
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