Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs 🍖🍽—a comforting and easy twist on classic Salisbury steak! These meatballs are simmered in a rich, savory gravy, perfect for serving over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles. Here’s how to make them:
🍖 Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs
Serves 4–6
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground pork (optional for extra flavor)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme or parsley (optional)
For the Gravy
- 1 packet onion soup mix (or 1/2 cup homemade onion soup base)
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (optional for extra depth)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thicker gravy)
- 1/4 cup water (to mix with cornstarch)
Instructions
1. Make the Meatballs
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, onion, garlic, egg, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and thyme (if using).
- Mix until just combined.
- Roll the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs and set aside.
2. Brown the Meatballs (Optional but Recommended)
- In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat.
- Brown meatballs on all sides for 4-5 minutes. This step adds extra flavor, but you can skip it if you’re short on time.
3. Prepare the Gravy
- In a medium bowl, whisk together beef broth, onion soup mix, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce (if using), garlic powder, and onion powder.
- If you prefer a thicker gravy, dissolve cornstarch in 1/4 cup water and add it to the gravy mixture.
4. Slow Cook
- Add browned (or unbrowned) meatballs to the slow cooker.
- Pour the prepared gravy mixture over the meatballs.
- Cover and cook on low for 4–6 hours or high for 2–3 hours until meatballs are fully cooked and tender.
5. Serve
- Serve the meatballs with gravy over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
🔥 Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs
- For a rich gravy: If you have time, sauté the onions and garlic before adding them to the gravy mixture for extra depth of flavor.
- Meatball texture: Don’t overmix the meatball mixture—this can make them dense.
- Thickening the gravy: For a thicker gravy, you can add cornstarch during the last hour of cooking.
- Freezing: These meatballs freeze well! Just let them cool, then store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Variations
- Mushroom Gravy: Add sliced mushrooms to the slow cooker before cooking, or stir in some cream of mushroom soup for a richer, creamier gravy.
- Low-carb: Make meatballs with ground turkey or chicken and serve over cauliflower mash for a lighter option.
- Spicy Twist: Add a splash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes to the gravy for some heat.
If you want, I can give you a restaurant-style Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs recipe with a thicker, creamier gravy and tender meatballs that are full of savory flavors! Perfect for impressing family or guests 🍖🍽✨.
Do you want me to do that?
