Hearty Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe

Savory Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe

Weeknight dinners demand a hearty, comforting solution that brings satisfaction to the table.

These slow cooker salisbury steak meatballs deliver rich, savory flavors that dance across your palate with every bite.

Tender beef blends seamlessly with herbs and spices, creating a mouthwatering meal that feels like a warm embrace.

The slow cooker method ensures each meatball remains juicy and infused with deep, robust gravy.

Minimal prep work means you can set everything up and walk away, letting the appliance work its magic.

Serve these delectable meatballs over creamy mashed potatoes or buttery egg noodles for a complete meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Dive into this crowd-pleasing recipe and transform an ordinary evening into a memorable dining experience.

Best Tips For Juicy Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs

  • Flavor-Boosting Meatball Mastery: Mix ground beef ingredients gently to keep meatballs tender and prevent tough texture. Overmixing can make them dense and chewy.
  • Gravy-Perfect Technique: Whisk gravy ingredients thoroughly to eliminate lumps and ensure smooth, rich consistency. A silky sauce transforms the entire dish's appeal.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers. Use tamari instead of Worcestershire sauce for celiac-friendly version.
  • Low-Carb Serving Options: Skip traditional starches and serve meatballs over cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, or crisp mixed greens. These alternatives reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining delicious flavor profile.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare meatballs and gravy in advance, then refrigerate or freeze. Slow cooker allows convenient reheating without compromising taste or texture, perfect for busy weeknight meals or meal prep strategies.

Serving Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs Warm And Rich

  • Party Platter Perfection: Create a stunning appetizer spread by arranging meatballs on a large wooden board with toothpicks, surrounded by colorful garnishes like fresh herbs and pickled vegetables.
  • Comfort Food Combo: Pair these hearty meatballs with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted seasonal vegetables, and a crisp side salad for a complete and satisfying meal that warms the soul.
  • Meal Prep Magic: Portion leftover meatballs and gravy into meal prep containers with rice or noodles for easy, delicious lunches throughout the week that will make coworkers jealous of your cooking skills.
  • Elegant Dinner Upgrade: Serve the meatballs on a bed of buttery egg noodles, topped with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and accompanied by a glass of robust red wine for a restaurant-quality dining experience at home.

Keep Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs Stored For Later

  • Smart Batch Cooking: Prepare a double batch of meatballs and freeze half before cooking. Wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers or bags, storing uncooked meatballs for up to 3 months. Label with date and contents for easy tracking.
  • Refrigerator Storage Magic: Store cooked Salisbury steak meatballs in sealed containers for 3-4 days. Keep gravy separate if possible to maintain meatball texture. Reheat gently in microwave or stovetop with splash of broth to prevent drying.
  • Meal Prep Champion: Portion meatballs into individual containers for quick grab-and-go lunches. Pack with rice or noodles separately to prevent soggy meals. Perfect for busy weekdays and work lunch solutions.
  • Flavor Boost Technique: Allow cooked meatballs to rest in gravy for 15-30 minutes before serving. This extra time helps meatballs absorb delicious sauce flavors, enhancing overall taste and tenderness. Recommended for maximum deliciousness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours (low) or 3 hours (high)

Total Time: 6-8 hours

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 3

What’s Included In Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs

For Meatball Base:
  • Ground Beef: Brings robust, hearty protein foundation with rich flavor depth.
  • Breadcrumbs: Creates tender texture and helps bind ingredients smoothly.
  • Egg: Acts as natural binding agent for consistent meatball structure.
  • Milk: Adds moisture and softens meat mixture for delicate consistency.
  • Onion: Introduces sweet, aromatic undertones and balanced savory essence.
  • Garlic: Delivers intense, bold flavor profile with robust character.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Enhances umami complexity and deepens meaty notes.
  • Salt and Pepper: Fundamental seasonings that elevate overall taste experience.
For Gravy Components:
  • Beef Broth: Creates luxurious liquid base with concentrated meat flavor.
  • Ketchup: Adds subtle sweetness and tangy background notes.
  • Dijon Mustard: Provides sharp, zesty undertone for complex sauce.
  • Cornstarch: Ensures smooth, silky gravy texture with perfect thickness.
For Slow Cooker Additions:
  • Onion: Infuses gentle sweetness during extended cooking process.
  • Mushrooms: Contributes earthy, meaty undertones and textural dimension.
  • Fresh Parsley: Offers bright, fresh garnish with vibrant green color.

Tools For Making Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs

  • Large bowl: Essential for mixing meatball ingredients thoroughly.
  • Skillet: Perfect for optional browning of meatballs to enhance flavor.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Whisk: Needed to blend gravy ingredients smoothly.
  • Slow cooker: Primary cooking vessel for tender, flavorful meatballs.
  • Small bowl: Used for preparing cornstarch slurry and mixing gravy.
  • Cutting board: Helpful for chopping onions and preparing ingredients.
  • Mixing spoon or spatula: Useful for combining meatball mixture and stirring during cooking.

Steps To Prep Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs

  • Meatball Mixture

Gather ground beef in a mixing bowl. Blend with breadcrumbs, egg, and seasonings until everything feels perfectly combined. Shape into compact little rounds ready for cooking.

  • Flavor Enhancement

Warm a skillet with a touch of oil. Gently roll meatballs around until they develop a beautiful golden-brown exterior. This quick sear locks in delicious meaty richness.

  • Gravy Creation

Whisk together a smooth sauce blending beef broth with zesty seasonings. The liquid will transform into a rich, velvety coating that hugs each meatball.

  • Slow Cooker Magic

Scatter sliced onions and mushrooms across the bottom of the slow cooker. Nestle meatballs on top and cascade the prepared gravy over everything. Let the magic begin.

  • Cooking Transformation

Allow the slow cooker to work its wonder. Low and slow cooking will meld flavors and create incredibly tender meatballs that practically melt in your mouth.

  • Final Touch

Near the end of cooking, stir in a cornstarch mixture to give the gravy luxurious body. Taste and adjust seasonings for perfect balance.

  • Delicious Serving

Plate these succulent meatballs over creamy mashed potatoes or tender noodles. A sprinkle of fresh herbs makes the perfect finishing flourish.

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Hearty Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe

Hearty Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe


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4.6 from 36 reviews

  • Total Time: 6-8 hours
  • Yield: 3 1x

Description

Homemade slow cooker salisbury steak meatballs offer a comforting classic with rich gravy and hearty flavor. Beef meatballs simmered in savory sauce create a satisfying meal you’ll crave for dinner.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs (907 g) ground beef
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup (60 g) breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) milk
  • 2 small onions, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 2 cups (473 ml) beef broth
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsps water
  • 1 cup (85 g) mushrooms, sliced
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Meatball Preparation: Blend ground beef with breadcrumbs, egg, milk, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Meticulously form compact, uniform meatballs ensuring consistent size and texture.
  2. Searing Process: Heat a skillet with minimal oil, carefully brown meatballs on all sides to develop a caramelized exterior, enhancing depth and structural complexity.
  3. Gravy Construction: Whisk beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and Dijon mustard into a seamless, flavor-packed liquid foundation.
  4. Slow Cooker Assembly: Create a base layer of sliced onions and mushrooms. Strategically place seared meatballs atop this aromatic landscape, then cascade prepared gravy covering the entire composition.
  5. Cooking Transformation: Configure slow cooker to low heat for 6-8 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours, allowing flavors to meld and meatballs to tenderize completely.
  6. Gravy Refinement: Introduce cornstarch slurry to elevate cooking liquid into a luxuriously thick sauce. Adjust seasoning with precise salt and pepper increments for balanced flavor profile.
  7. Serving Composition: Plate meatballs generously draped in glossy gravy over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for vibrant visual and flavor enhancement.

Notes

  • Meat Selection Matters: Choose ground beef with 80/20 fat content for juicier, more flavorful meatballs that won’t dry out during slow cooking.
  • Searing Secrets: Quickly brown meatballs before slow cooking to lock in flavors and create a delicious caramelized exterior that adds depth to the overall dish.
  • Avoid Overcrowding: Arrange meatballs in a single layer in the slow cooker to ensure even cooking and prevent them from becoming mushy or breaking apart.
  • Gravy Consistency Trick: Mix cornstarch with cold water before adding to the cooking liquid to prevent lumps and create a smooth, glossy gravy that clings perfectly to the meatballs.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 hours (low) or 3 hours (high)
  • Category: Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 3
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 27 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 28 g
  • Cholesterol: 100 mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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