Description
Hearty slow cooker salisbury steak meatballs bring comfort and nostalgia to dinner tables with rich gravy and tender beef. Home cooks can easily craft this classic American dish that promises satisfaction in every savory bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Binding and Moisture Ingredients:
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup (59 milliliters) milk
Flavor Enhancers and Seasonings:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Gravy Base Ingredients:
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Thickening and Texture Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (mixed with 2 tablespoons water to form a slurry)
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Craft the savory meatballs by thoroughly blending ground beef with breadcrumbs, egg, milk, finely diced onion, crushed garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Shape the mixture into uniform, bite-sized spheres approximately one inch in diameter, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
- Enhance flavor development by gently searing meatballs in a hot skillet with a thin layer of oil, rotating to achieve a golden-brown exterior on all surfaces.
- Whisk together a robust gravy combining beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and Dijon mustard to create a rich, tangy liquid base.
- Layer sliced onions and mushrooms across the bottom of the slow cooker, creating a flavorful foundation for the meatballs.
- Carefully arrange the browned meatballs atop the vegetable layer, then generously pour the prepared gravy mixture over the entire contents.
- Secure the slow cooker lid and allow meatballs to simmer on low temperature for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, enabling flavors to meld and meat to become tender.
- Approximately 30 minutes before serving, introduce a cornstarch slurry to gradually thicken the gravy, stirring gently to incorporate without disrupting the meatballs.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed to balance flavors.
- Plate the succulent meatballs alongside creamy mashed potatoes, tender egg noodles, or fluffy rice, garnishing with fresh parsley for a vibrant finishing touch.
Notes
- Enhance meatball texture by chilling the mixture for 30 minutes before shaping, helping them hold together better during cooking.
- Experiment with ground meat blends like beef and pork for a richer, more complex flavor profile in your meatballs.
- Skip browning meatballs if you’re short on time, but know that this step adds depth and caramelization to the overall taste.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed pork rinds to make this recipe low-carb and suitable for different dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (low) or 3 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 80mg