Get ready to transform a simple bag of frozen meatballs into a rich, savory, and incredibly comforting dinner with this Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs recipe. This is one of the Best Crock Pot Recipes for a busy weeknight, delivering all the classic, hearty flavor of Salisbury steak with a fraction of the effort. Tender meatballs simmer all day in a deeply flavorful onion and mushroom gravy, creating a delicious meal that’s perfect for serving over creamy mashed potatoes or egg noodles. It’s one of those Ground Beef Crock Pot Recipes (by way of meatballs!) that the whole family will adore.
Why This is One of the Best Easy Crock Pot Recipes
This Salisbury Steak Crockpot recipe is a true game-changer for effortless dinners.
- Incredibly Easy: This is a “dump-and-go” meal at its finest. You start with frozen meatballs and a few pantry staples, and the slow cooker does all the work.
- Rich and Flavorful Gravy: The combination of onion soup and brown gravy mixes creates a foolproof, savory gravy that tastes like it’s been simmering for hours.
- Super Versatile: These meatballs are perfect as a main course for dinner, but they also make a fantastic appetizer for parties or game day.
- A Family-Friendly Favorite: The comforting, classic flavors are a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
Your Simple Ingredient Checklist
This recipe uses clever shortcuts for a quick and delicious meal.
The Ingredient Lineup:
- 1 (26-ounce) bag of frozen, pre-cooked meatballs (about 30-35 meatballs)
- 2 cups reduced-sodium beef broth
- 1 packet of dry brown gravy mix
- 1 packet of dry onion soup mix
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- For Thickening: 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water
- For Garnish: Fresh chopped parsley (optional)
Step-by-Step Slow Cooker Instructions
Get ready for the easiest comfort food dinner ever.
Part 1: Combine and Cook
- Prep the Slow Cooker: Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker insert with nonstick cooking spray.
- Add Meatballs: Place the frozen meatballs directly into the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Make the Sauce: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the beef broth, the packet of brown gravy mix, the packet of onion soup mix, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce until the mixture is smooth and no lumps remain.
- Combine and Cook: Pour the prepared sauce mixture evenly over the meatballs in the slow cooker. Give it a gentle stir to coat. Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours.
Part 2: Thicken the Gravy and Serve
- Make the Slurry: About 10-15 minutes before you are ready to serve, make the cornstarch slurry. In a small bowl, whisk together the 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and the 2 tablespoons of cold water until it forms a smooth paste.
- Thicken: Pour the cornstarch slurry into the slow cooker with the meatballs and gravy. Stir everything together gently.
- Final Cook: Cover and cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until the gravy has thickened to your liking.
- Serve Hot: Serve the Salisbury steak meatballs and their rich gravy hot. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What should I serve with these Salisbury Steak Meatballs? These meatballs are traditionally served over creamy mashed potatoes, which are perfect for soaking up all the delicious gravy. They are also fantastic with egg noodles or a side of white rice. Add a simple steamed green bean or a side salad for a complete meal.
2. Can I use homemade meatballs for this Crockpot Meatball Recipe? Absolutely! If you have a favorite homemade meatball recipe, you can definitely use it here. For the best results, you should brown the homemade meatballs in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker. This will help them hold their shape during the long cooking time. This is a great Crock Pot Meatball base for any type of meatball.
3. What if I don’t have onion soup mix? While the onion soup mix adds a lot of savory flavor, you can make a substitute in a pinch. You can add 1 tablespoon of dried minced onion, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, and an extra beef bouillon cube to the sauce to mimic the flavor.
4. Can I add vegetables to this Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak recipe? Yes! To make it a true one-pot meal, you can add sliced mushrooms and onions to the slow cooker along with the meatballs. They will cook down and add even more flavor to the gravy. Sliced carrots would also be a delicious and hearty addition.
The Best Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs
Equipment
- Slow cooker
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 26 oz frozen pre-cooked meatballs (about 30–35)
- 2 cups reduced-sodium beef broth
- 1 packet dry brown gravy mix
- 1 packet dry onion soup mix
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp cold water
- fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Lightly grease the inside of the slow cooker with nonstick spray.
- Place the frozen meatballs directly into the bottom of the slow cooker.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together beef broth, brown gravy mix, onion soup mix, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the meatballs and stir gently to coat. Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours.
- About 10–15 minutes before serving, make a slurry by whisking cornstarch and cold water until smooth.
- Stir the slurry into the slow cooker. Cover and cook another 10–15 minutes until gravy thickens.
- Serve hot over mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice. Garnish with parsley if desired.