Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe
Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs are tender, flavorful meatballs simmered in a rich mushroom and onion gravy. This slow-cooked twist on the classic Salisbury steak is perfect for a cozy dinner and pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes or egg noodles. It’s an easy, hands-off recipe that’s ideal for busy weeknights or family gatherings.
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Slow cooker
- Skillet (for browning, optional)
- Wooden spoon or spatula
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup grated onion
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
For the Gravy:
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter optional, for browning
- 1 medium onion thinly sliced
- 1 cup mushrooms sliced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water for thickening
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the meatballs:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, grated onion, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Form the mixture into 1- to 1.5-inch meatballs (about 18-20 meatballs).
- (Optional) Brown the meatballs:
- For extra flavor, you can brown the meatballs before adding them to the slow cooker. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil or butter, and brown the meatballs on all sides. Transfer to the slow cooker.
- Prepare the gravy:
- In the slow cooker, add the sliced onions and mushrooms.
- In a small bowl, whisk together beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste until smooth. Pour this mixture over the onions and mushrooms in the slow cooker.
- Add the meatballs to the slow cooker:
- Place the meatballs on top of the gravy and vegetables. Gently stir to combine.
- Cook:
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours, or until the meatballs are tender and fully cooked.
- Thicken the gravy:
- In the last 30 minutes of cooking, add the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) to the slow cooker and stir gently. Continue cooking until the gravy thickens.
- Serve:
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, if needed. Serve warm with mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Video
Notes
- For a lower-fat option, substitute ground turkey for ground beef.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- To add more flavor, consider adding a splash of red wine to the gravy mixture.
- If you prefer not to use cornstarch, flour can be used as a thickener instead.