Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs: Family-Friendly Comfort Recipe
Enjoy a comforting, family-friendly meal with these Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs. Perfectly tender frozen meatballs are simmered in a rich, flavorful gravy made with beef broth, brown gravy mix, and onion soup mix. Enhanced with ketchup and Worcestershire sauce, and thickened with a cornstarch slurry, this easy slow cooker recipe delivers classic Salisbury steak flavors with minimal effort. Garnish with fresh parsley for a touch of brightness.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings (about 5-6 meatballs per serving) 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 bag (26 oz) (about 30–35 meatballs) frozen meatballs
Gravy Sauce
- 2 cups reduced-sodium beef broth
- 1 packet brown gravy mix
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Thickener
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker. Pour the reduced-sodium beef broth into the slow cooker. Add the brown gravy mix, onion soup mix, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well until the dry mixes are fully dissolved into the broth, creating a flavorful base for the sauce.
- Add the frozen meatballs. Place the frozen meatballs evenly into the gravy mixture in the slow cooker. Gently stir to coat the meatballs with the sauce, ensuring even flavor distribution.
- Cook the meatballs. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low heat for about 4 to 6 hours. This allows the meatballs to heat through thoroughly and absorb the savory flavors of the gravy without drying out.
- Thicken the gravy. About 15 minutes before serving, mix the cornstarch with cold water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Pour this slurry into the slow cooker and gently stir to combine. Continue cooking uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the gravy to thicken to a rich, smooth consistency.
- Serve and garnish. Once thickened, taste and adjust seasoning if desired. Serve the Salisbury steak meatballs hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley for added color and flavor. They pair wonderfully with mashed potatoes or egg noodles.
Notes
- Using frozen meatballs cuts down on prep time and ensures consistent portion sizes.
- Reduced-sodium broth helps control salt levels, but you can adjust seasoning to taste.
- Be careful not to overcook the meatballs in the slow cooker to prevent them from becoming dry.
- For a gluten-free version, verify that the gravy and soup mixes are gluten-free or prepare homemade alternatives.
- This dish reheats well and can be made in advance for convenient meal planning.
Keywords: Salisbury steak, meatballs, slow cooker dinner, comfort food, easy slow cooker recipe, family meal, beef meatballs, gravy