Print Recipe

Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe

Tender meatballs simmered in a rich brown gravy, served over mashed potatoes for a comforting and satisfying meal, made effortlessly in a slow cooker.

Ingredients

• 1 bag (26 oz) frozen meatballs (about 30-35 meatballs)
• 2 cups reduced sodium beef broth
• 1 packet brown gravy mix
• 1 packet onion soup mix
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cold water

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the Slow Cooker
   Begin your culinary adventure by giving the insert of your slow cooker a light coating of nonstick cooking spray. This helps prevent any sticky mishaps later on. No need to go overboard, just a quick spray will do the trick!

2. Step 2: Add the Meatballs
   Take the frozen meatballs and simply place them into the slow cooker. There’s no need to thaw them, which makes this step a breeze. Just pour them in and you're already halfway there!

3. Step 3: Mix the Sauce
   In a mixing bowl, combine the beef broth, brown gravy mix, onion soup mix, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk these ingredients together until you've got a well-blended, savory mixture. Make sure there are no lumps, giving it a little extra whisk if needed.

4. Step 4: Combine Meatballs and Sauce
   Pour your perfectly mixed sauce over the meatballs in the slow cooker. Give everything a gentle stir to ensure the meatballs are nicely coated in the flavorful sauce. This is where all the magic starts to happen!

5. Step 5: Slow Cook the Meatballs
   Secure the lid on your slow cooker and set it to cook on LOW heat for 5 to 6 hours. During this time, the wonderful aroma will gradually fill your kitchen, teasing your taste buds. Resist the urge to peek too often, as keeping the lid on is key to perfect slow cooking.

6. Step 6: Thicken the Gravy
   As the cook time winds down, prepare a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with cold water in a small bowl. Once your time is up, stir this slurry into the slow cooker’s contents. Let it cook for an additional 10 minutes, or until the gravy reaches your desired thickness.

7. Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
   Your delicious Salisbury steak meatballs are now ready to be served. They pair wonderfully over egg noodles or mashed potatoes. For a touch of color and freshness, garnish with chopped parsley. Now, dig in and enjoy the fruits of your (minimal) labor!

Notes

One common hiccup when making these slow cooker Salisbury steak meatballs is not whisking the sauce mixture thoroughly. Overlooking this step can lead to clumps of gravy mix or onion soup mix that don't dissolve properly. For a smooth, flavorful sauce, ensure everything is well combined before pouring it over the meatballs.

Another potential pitfall is skipping the cornstarch slurry at the end. It's tempting to rush, especially when the aroma is so enticing, but this step is crucial for achieving that rich, thick gravy we all love. Whisk the cornstarch with cold water until smooth, and stir it in for a beautifully coat-the-back-of-the-spoon consistency.

Lastly, using the wrong cooking spray or forgetting it entirely can lead to a sticky situation, literally! Make sure to give the slow cooker a quick spray to prevent meatballs from sticking and to make cleanup a breeze. Happy cooking!