Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs

Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

• 1 ½ lbs (700 g) ground beef

• ½ cup breadcrumbs

• ¼ cup milk

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 large egg

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 teaspoon dried parsley (optional)

For the Gravy:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter

• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced

• 8 oz (225 g) mushrooms, sliced

• 2 cups beef broth

• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• 2 tablespoons ketchup

• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (slurry)

• Salt and pepper to taste

🧑‍🍳 Instructions

1. Make the Meatballs:

• In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, chopped onion, garlic, egg, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and parsley.

• Mix gently until combined (don’t overwork).

• Shape mixture into 16–18 meatballs (about 2 inches each).

2. Brown the Meatballs (optional but recommended):

• Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat.

• Brown meatballs on all sides (about 2 minutes per side). This adds flavor and helps hold them together.

3. Prepare the Gravy:

• In the same skillet, sauté onions and mushrooms until softened (about 5 minutes).

• Transfer onions and mushrooms to the slow cooker.

4. Assemble in Slow Cooker:

• Place meatballs on top of the onions and mushrooms in the slow cooker.

• In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, ketchup, and Dijon mustard.

• Pour sauce over meatballs.

5. Cook:

• Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until meatballs are cooked through and tender.

6. Thicken the Gravy:

• About 30 minutes before serving, whisk cornstarch slurry into the slow cooker.

• Stir gently, cover, and cook on high until gravy thickens.

7. Serve:

• Spoon meatballs and gravy over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice.

• Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

✅ Tips:

• Use lean ground beef for less grease.

• Meatballs can be made ahead and frozen for easy meals later.

• Add a splash of cream or sour cream to gravy for extra richness.