If you’re craving comfort food that practically melts in your mouth and fills your home with that warm, savory aroma, then this Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe is exactly what you need. Combining the ease of frozen meatballs and the rich, hearty flavors of a classic Salisbury steak gravy, this dish transforms simple ingredients into a soul-satisfying dinner. Perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends, it’s a recipe that brings all the cozy nostalgia without the fuss, and once you try it, you’ll be hooked on making it again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward but pack a powerful punch in flavor and texture. Each plays a key role in building the sauce’s depth or enhancing the tenderness and juiciness of the meatballs, ensuring every bite is pure comfort.
- Frozen meatballs (26 oz bag): Using frozen meatballs makes this recipe quick and fuss-free while still delivering great taste and texture.
- Reduced-sodium beef broth (2 cups): This serves as the savory base of the gravy, adding rich beefy notes without overpowering the dish.
- Brown gravy mix (1 packet): The essential thickener that creates that luscious, silky sauce perfect for coating the meatballs.
- Onion soup mix (1 packet): Infuses the gravy with concentrated onion flavor and a hint of herbs, amplifying the overall taste.
- Ketchup (2 tablespoons): Adds a subtle tangy sweetness that balances the savory elements beautifully.
- Worcestershire sauce (1 tablespoon): Brings a complex, slightly tangy umami dimension to the gravy, making it irresistible.
- Cornstarch (2 tablespoons): Used to thicken the gravy into a perfect, gravy-like consistency after slow cooking.
- Cold water (2 tablespoons): Combined with cornstarch to create a slurry for thickening without clumps.
How to Make Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Gravy
Start by mixing the beef broth with the brown gravy mix, onion soup mix, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl. Whisk everything together until the powders dissolve completely and the mixture is smooth. This blend of ingredients creates that classic Salisbury steak sauce that’s both rich and tangy, which is the heart of this recipe.
Step 2: Load the Slow Cooker with Meatballs
Place the entire bag of frozen meatballs directly into your slow cooker. No need to thaw! This step makes the recipe incredibly convenient and saves you prep time.
Step 3: Pour the Gravy Over Meatballs
Evenly pour the prepared gravy mixture over the frozen meatballs, making sure to coat them well. This ensures every meatball absorbs that savory goodness during the cooking process.
Step 4: Slow Cook Low and Slow
Cover your slow cooker, set it to low, and let it work its magic for about 6 hours. This slow cooking tenderizes the meatballs and melds all the flavors together, resulting in a hearty, satisfying dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate.
Step 5: Thicken the Gravy
About 10-15 minutes before you’re ready to serve, mix the cornstarch with cold water in a small bowl to make a slurry. Stir this into the slow cooker, cover, and let it cook a bit longer until the gravy thickens to your preferred consistency. This final touch makes the sauce perfectly luscious for spooning over your meatballs.
Step 6: Serving
Once thickened, your Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe is ready to be enjoyed. Scoop the meatballs and gravy onto your favorite base and prepare for a comforting meal that everyone will love.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or chives adds a pop of vibrant color and a fresh herbal note that complements the richness of the gravy. For a little extra flair, a dash of cracked black pepper or a few sautéed mushrooms on top can elevate the dish beautifully.
Side Dishes
This dish feels right at home served over creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or buttered egg noodles. These starchy sides soak up the gravy perfectly, making every forkful delightful. Pairing it with steamed green beans or roasted carrots adds color and a healthy balance to your comforting plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving the Salisbury steak meatballs in a bread bowl to soak up the sauce. Alternatively, layer them atop a baked potato or spoon them over polenta for a comforting and slightly different experience. This recipe is versatile enough to fit cozy family dinners or casual gatherings with friends.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store leftover meatballs and gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This way, you can easily reheat and enjoy a comforting meal on busy days without cooking from scratch again.
Freezing
This recipe freezes wonderfully, making it a perfect prep-ahead meal. Transfer cooled meatballs and sauce to a freezer-safe container or bag, label it, and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.
Reheating
To reheat, warm leftovers slowly on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You might need to add a splash of beef broth or water if the gravy thickened too much. This preserves the luscious texture and flavor without drying out the meatballs.
FAQs
Can I use homemade meatballs instead of frozen for this Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe?
Absolutely! Homemade meatballs can add a nice fresh touch to the dish. Just be sure they’re pre-cooked or firm enough to hold their shape during the slow cooking process to avoid breaking apart.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, by using gluten-free gravy mix and onion soup mix, and ensuring your beef broth is gluten-free, you can easily adapt this recipe. Also, double-check your meatballs’ ingredients to be sure they don’t contain gluten.
Can I speed up the cooking time?
If you’re short on time, you can cook on high for about 3 hours instead of 6 on low. Keep an eye on the sauce thickness and adjust the cornstarch slurry timing as needed.
What can I use instead of cornstarch to thicken the gravy?
You can substitute flour or arrowroot powder for cornstarch. For flour, make a roux by mixing equal parts flour and softened butter separately, then stirring it into the sauce. Arrowroot is mixed like cornstarch with water before adding.
Can I prepare the gravy mixture the night before?
Definitely! Preparing the gravy mixture in advance can save time in the morning. Just give it a good whisk before pouring it over the meatballs to ensure all ingredients are well combined.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe is one of those magical dishes that brings comfort, ease, and incredible flavor all in one pot. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or making a weeknight dinner special, it’s a recipe that fits beautifully into your routine with minimal effort and maximum taste. Give it a try—you’ll find it quickly becomes a cherished favorite in your recipe collection!
Print
Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs recipe uses frozen meatballs simmered in a flavorful homemade brown gravy made from beef broth, brown gravy mix, onion soup mix, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. The slow cooker method lets the meatballs cook gently for 6 hours, resulting in tender, juicy meatballs coated in thick, savory gravy. A cornstarch slurry is added at the end to perfectly thicken the sauce. Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles for an easy, comforting meal.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 bag (26 oz) frozen meatballs (about 30–35 meatballs)
Gravy
- 2 cups reduced-sodium beef broth
- 1 packet brown gravy mix
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Thickening Slurry
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
Instructions
- Prepare the Gravy: In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth, brown gravy mix, onion soup mix, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce until fully combined and smooth.
- Slow Cook the Meatballs: Place the frozen meatballs into the slow cooker in an even layer.
- Add the Gravy: Pour the prepared gravy mixture evenly over the frozen meatballs, making sure all are coated.
- Cook Slowly: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6 hours, allowing the meatballs to heat through completely and the flavors to meld as the sauce thickens naturally.
- Make the Cornstarch Slurry: In a separate small bowl, mix the cornstarch with cold water until smooth to create a slurry for thickening the gravy.
- Thicken the Gravy: After the initial cooking time, stir the cornstarch slurry into the slow cooker. Cover and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes until the gravy reaches your preferred thickness.
- Serve: Once thickened, serve the Salisbury steak meatballs hot over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles for a hearty meal.
Notes
- Reduced-sodium beef broth is recommended to control salt content, but regular broth will also work.
- Using frozen meatballs saves prep time and works perfectly in a slow cooker.
- Make sure to stir the cornstarch slurry well to avoid lumps in the gravy.
- For thicker gravy, you can add an extra tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with cold water.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
