Salisbury Steak Meatballs
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My Salisbury Steak Meatballs recipe takes everything you love about the classic dish and makes it even better. Tender juicy, bite-sized meatballs are smothered in a rich, savory gravy that soaks into every irresistible bite. Plus, with a few simple shortcuts I’ve created, you’ll save time, money, and effort without sacrificing any of that homemade flavor.
Salisbury Steak Meatball Recipe
My Salisbury steak recipe is one of the most popular on the site, and for good reason. It’s simple to make, packed with flavor, and always a family favorite. I created this Salisbury steak meatball version to give you that same comfort food experience in an even easier, weeknight-friendly way.
Instead of making meatballs from scratch, this recipe uses frozen meatballs to save time without sacrificing that classic, homemade taste. The real star is the rich onion gravy, made with beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and just the right blend of seasonings. It comes together quickly and coats every bite in a smooth, savory sauce.
Serve it over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice for an easy dinner that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
Why My Salisbury Meatballs Are the Best
- Frozen meatball magic – Frozen saves time but tastes like homemade meatballs that took hours to prepare.
- Not your average gravy – Most recipes just drown meatballs in basic gravy. Not this one. The secret here is the French onion soup mix blended with brown gravy mix and Worcestershire sauce.
- Slow cooking perfection – Where other recipes just heat meatballs in sauce, this recipe allows the flavors to develop slowly. Slow cooking turns easy prep into something that tastes like you spent the entire day perfecting.
Ingredients Needed to Make Salisbury Meatballs
Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to make this recipe. Scroll down to the full recipe card for the specific amounts.
- Frozen meatballs – They’re a wonderful shortcut for this recipe.
- Baby bella mushrooms, sliced – Add rich, earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with the savory gravy.
- Onion, chopped – Adds a hint of sweetness and depth to balance the sauce.
- Fresh garlic cloves, minced – Adds even more savory flavor that ties everything together.
- Water or low-sodium beef broth – Use beef broth or beef stock for extra flavor, or water if you want to cut down on salt.
- Worcestershire sauce – Adds a deep, savory flavor that makes the gravy even better.
- Brown gravy mix – Thickens the sauce and adds a rich, comforting taste.
- Onion soup mix – Packs in extra seasoning and flavor with every bite.
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish) – A fresh, colorful finishing touch.
How to Make Slow Cooker Salisbury Meatballs
Here are my step-by-step instructions so you can make this recipe with ease. For the full, printable recipe with amounts and temperatures, scroll down to the recipe card below.
- Place the frozen meatballs in the crockpot.
- Scatter the sliced mushrooms, chopped onion, and minced garlic over the meatballs.
- Pour in the water or beef broth and add Worcestershire sauce.
- Sprinkle the brown gravy mix and onion soup mix over the top.
- Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 3-5 hours, until the meatballs are heated through and the flavors are well combined. Stir halfway through to ensure even heating.
- Garnish with fresh parsley (optional) before serving.
Suggestions and Alternatives
- Creamy Dijon – Stir in a little dijon mustard toward the end of cooking for a tangy twist.
- Coconut aminos – Use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for a soy-free alternative.
- Extra onion flavor – Add caramelized onions for extra sweetness and depth. Simply cook them in a large pot with a tablespoon of butter on low heat until golden before adding to the slow cooker.
- Extra veggies – Customize the Veggies: Feel free to add more mushrooms or toss in zucchini, bell peppers, or other favorite veggies
- Rich tomato gravy – Add a tablespoon of tomato paste for an even richer, deeper gravy with extra classic Salisbury steak flavor.
- Meatballs – Use any frozen meatballs (beef, Italian, turkey) or even homemade.
- Watch the sodium – The gravy mix, onion soup mix, and Worcestershire sauce add saltiness. Use low-sodium broth or water if needed.
- Make extra gravy – Planning to serve over pasta or potatoes? Add an extra ½ cup of broth or water to create more sauce.
- Meatball options – Use any frozen meatballs (beef, Italian, turkey) or even homemade!
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerate – Let the dish cool completely before storing. Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Then, just reheat in the microwave or stovetop until warmed through.
- Freeze – Allow the meatballs and gravy to cool completely. Transfer them to a freezer-safe container or resealable bag, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stovetop over low heat until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can use homemade meatballs using ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, onion powder, and black pepper. Form into meatball shapes and brown them in a large skillet over medium heat until golden brown before adding them to the slow cooker. If using fresh meatballs, cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or until they reach an internal temp of 160-165°F.
For thicker gravy, mix a cornstarch slurry with 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water in a small bowl. Stir it into the gravy during the last 30 minutes of cooking. This gives the sauce a nice, thick consistency.
It’s easy to prep, requires minimal effort, and the slow cooker does most of the work. And the best part is the tender meatballs paired with rich gravy offer lots of flavor without needing constant attention. Trust me, the whole family will love this hearty meal after a long day.
Yes! Use a large pot on low heat. After browning the meatballs in a skillet, place them in the pot with the gravy ingredients. Simmer gently to lock in all those delicious flavors.
Fluffy mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or even mashed sweet potatoes are perfect options for soaking up the rich gravy. Add a side of roasted vegetables for a complete dinner tonight.
More Slow Cooker Recipes
- Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup
- Crockpot Smokies
- Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki
- Crockpot Beef Stew
- Simple Slow Cooker Chili
- Crockpot Meatballs
- Slow Cooker Southwest Chicken
- Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore
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Slow Cooker Meatballs & Gravy
Equipment
- Crockpot
Ingredients
- 36 ounces frozen meatballs
- 8 ounces baby bella mushrooms sliced
- 1 onion chopped
- 3-5 garlic cloves minced
- 1½ cups water or low-sodium beef broth
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- .87 ounces brown gravy mix 1 packet
- 2 ounces onion soup mix 1 packet
- fresh parsley chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Place the frozen meatballs in the crockpot.36 ounces frozen meatballs
- Scatter the sliced mushrooms, chopped onion, and minced garlic over the meatballs.8 ounces baby bella mushrooms, 1 onion, 3-5 garlic cloves
- Pour in the water or beef broth and add Worcestershire sauce.1½ cups water or low-sodium beef broth, 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Sprinkle the brown gravy mix and onion soup mix over the top..87 ounces brown gravy mix, 2 ounces onion soup mix
- Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 3-5 hours, until the meatballs are heated through and the flavors are well combined.
- Stir halfway through to ensure even heating.
- Garnish with fresh parsley (optional) before serving.fresh parsley
- Enjoy as an appetizer or serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles for a complete meal.
Nutrition
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