Why I’ll Love This Recipe
I’m All About Meals That Do The Work While I Go About My Day. With Just A Few Pantry Staples And A Bag Of Frozen Meatballs, I Get Restaurant‑Level Comfort Without The Fuss. The Gravy Thickens Beautifully On Its Own, And Scooping It Over Mashed Potatoes Or Noodles Is Pure Deliciousness. Plus, Picky Eaters And Hungry Adults Alike Are Always Asking For Seconds.
Ingredients
(Here’s A Tip: Check Out The Full List Of Ingredients And Measurements In The Recipe Card Below.)
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Frozen Meatballs (Beef, Turkey, Italian, Or Homestyle—Whatever I Have On Hand)
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Brown Gravy Mix Packet
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Onion Soup Mix Packet
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Reduced‑Sodium Beef Broth (Or Water)
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Ketchup And Worcestershire Sauce (For A Savory Kick)
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Optional: Sliced Mushrooms And Chopped Onion For Extra Flavor
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Cornstarch + Cold Water (To Make A Slurry That Thickens The Gravy)
Directions
I Start By Lightly Spraying The Slow Cooker Insert With Nonstick Spray, Then Dump In The Frozen Meatballs. In A Bowl, I Whisk Together Beef Broth (Or Water), Gravy Mix, Onion Soup Mix, Ketchup, Worcestershire Sauce, And Any Optional Mushrooms Or Onions. I Pour That Over The Meatballs, Stir Gently, Then Pop On The Lid. I Cook It On LOW For About 5–6 Hours (Or HIGH For 2–3). About 10 Minutes Before It’s Done, I Mix Cornstarch With Cold Water And Stir The Slurry In—Then Let It Bubble Until The Gravy Is Thick And Glossy.
Servings And Timing
This Makes Approximately 6 To 8 Servings, Depending On Portion Size.
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Prep Time: About 5–10 Minutes
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Cook Time: 4–6 Hours On LOW (Or 2–3 Hours On HIGH)
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Total Time: Roughly 4½ To 6 Hours (Or 2–3 Hours On HIGH)
Variations
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Mushroom-Onion Boost: I Toss In Sliced Mushrooms And Onions For Extra Savory Depth.
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Creamy Twist: Stir In A Half Cup Of Sour Cream Near The End For A Creamy Finish.
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Gravy-Rich: If I Want Extra Gravy, I Add Another Packet Of Gravy Mix Or Even A Splash Of Cream Of Mushroom Soup.
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No‑Mushroom Version: I Skip Mushrooms Entirely For Simpler Flavor (Perfect For Picky Eaters).
Storage/Reheating
I Cool Any Leftovers Completely And Store Them In An Airtight Container In The Fridge For Up To 3–4 Days. When It’s Time To Reheat, I Warm Everything On The Stovetop Over Low To Medium Heat, Adding A Little Broth If The Gravy Has Thickened Too Much. It Reheats Beautifully This Way. Microwaving Works Too—Just Stir Occasionally To Ensure Even Heat.
FAQs
1. Can I Use Homemade Meatballs Instead Of Frozen?
Yes—I Often Swap In Homemade Meatballs. Just Make Sure They’re Similar In Size And Already Cooked, And They’ll Absorb The Luscious Gravy Just As Nicely.
2. Do I Need To Thaw The Meatballs First?
Not At All—I Dump Them Straight From The Freezer Into The Slow Cooker, Which Keeps Busy Prep Time To A Minimum.
3. Can I Double The Recipe?
If My Slow Cooker Can Fit It Without Overflowing, Absolutely—I Just Adjust Cooking Time Slightly To Ensure Everything Heats Evenly.
4. What Sides Pair Best With This Dish?
I Adore Serving It Over Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Egg Noodles, Or Even Rice—The Gravy Just Soaks Into Them For Comfort‑Food Perfection.
5. Can I Thicken The Gravy Without Cornstarch?
Yes—The Gravy Thickens Naturally If It’s Left To Cook A Bit Longer On HIGH Or If I Add A Touch Of Cream Of Mushroom Soup. It Still Gets That Rich Consistency.
Conclusion
This Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe Is One Of My Go‑To Meals When I Want Something Cozy, Fuss‑Free, And Crowd‑Pleasing. With Minimal Prep And Maximum Flavor, I Set It Up In The Morning And Come Home To Dinner Ready To Serve. It’s A Satisfying, Family‑Friendly Comfort Meal That Makes Every Bite Feel Like Home.
Print
Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs: Family‑Friendly Comfort
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Tender meatballs slow-cooked in rich Salisbury-style gravy—an easy comfort meal the whole family will love.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
1 ½ lbs ground beef
½ cup breadcrumbs
1 egg
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
For the Gravy:
1 ½ cups beef broth
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry)
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional but recommended)
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Make the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, ketchup, Worcestershire, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well and form into 1 ½-inch meatballs.
Optional: Brown meatballs in a skillet for extra flavor (1–2 minutes per side), or place directly in slow cooker.
Make the Gravy: In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, Worcestershire, and ketchup. Pour over the meatballs.
Add sliced onions and mushrooms on top.
Cover and cook on Low for 6–7 hours or High for 3–4 hours.
During the last 30 minutes, mix cornstarch and water into a slurry and stir into the slow cooker to thicken the gravy.
Serve meatballs with gravy over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
For a shortcut, use frozen pre-cooked meatballs.
Browning the meatballs adds depth of flavor but is optional for convenience.
Make it gluten-free by using GF breadcrumbs and checking the broth/ketchup labels.
Leftovers keep well and are freezer-friendly—great for batch cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (on low)
- Category: Dinner, Comfort Food, Slow Cooker Recipes
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American