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Let your slow cooker do all the work with these easy Salisbury steak meatballs. Just toss in frozen meatballs and come back to a dish loaded with homestyle taste and plenty of thick gravy. It's the kind of hearty comfort food that'll hit the spot on both jam-packed weeknights and slow Sundays.
I tried this on a night when nothing was going right and it totally turned the meal around. Since then, there are always meatballs in my freezer so I can toss this together whenever I feel like it.
Effortless Ingredients
- Cold water: you need this to mix with the cornstarch so the gravy doesn't get chunky
- Cornstarch: thickens everything up to that silky spoon-coating finish just make sure you blend it with cold water first
- Worcestershire sauce: just a little bit ramps up the meaty taste pick one that's dark and smells bold
- Ketchup: throws in a sweet-tangy punch that smooths out the salty notes use whatever you have
- Onion soup mix: packs this awesome savory kick, and bonus points if it comes with dried onion pieces those get soft and sweet in the sauce
- Brown gravy mix: brings classic stick-to-your-ribs flavor with hardly any work, choose a simple-ingredient packet if possible
- Reduced sodium beef broth: makes things nice and rich but not too salty read the box to get the low salt version since the mixes add plenty
- Frozen meatballs: all-beef is the way to go if you want the real deal, try turkey for a lighter twist pick a brand you like since you’ll taste it
Simple Step-by-Step
- Serve:
- Dishing up? Go for mashed potatoes or noodles, then pour over that cozy gravy. Top with a little parsley if you want to get fancy.
- Thicken the Gravy:
- Just before you're ready to eat, blend cornstarch with water until it’s smooth as can be, then swirl that mix into the slow cooker and give it ten more minutes. Bam, thick gravy.
- Slow Cook:
- Turn your slow cooker on low and just let the magic happen for 5–6 hours. Your house will smell awesome and the flavors soak right in.
- Combine and Start Cooking:
- After that, pour your gravy blend all over the meatballs. Stir gently so every meatball gets some love and snap on the lid.
- Mix the Gravy Base:
- Whisk together the beef broth, both mixes, ketchup, and Worcestershire until there’s no clumpy stuff left.
- Arrange the Meatballs:
- Dump all those frozen meatballs straight into the slow cooker. Spread them out so they heat up evenly.
- Prepare the Slow Cooker:
- Start by giving your slow cooker a blast of nonstick spray so washing up is a breeze and nothing gets stuck on.
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The onion soup mix totally makes this for me. Feels like Sunday at my parents’ table every time. My kids are always begging for way more gravy, and honestly, I can't blame them.
Storage Wisdom
If you end up with leftovers, let them chill completely then move to a container with a tight lid and keep in the fridge for four days. When you’re reheating, pop in a splash of broth or water so things stay saucy. For longer storage, freeze it in a solid freezer container and it’ll keep for three months. Let it thaw in the fridge before warming up again.
Swaps & Shortcuts
No beef broth? Use chicken broth and an extra splash of Worcestershire. Got homemade meatballs? Toss them in instead of frozen. Need it gluten-free? Go for gluten-free gravy or soup mixes. Sometimes I stir in sour cream right at the end for a richer, creamy finish.
Serving Ideas
If you want something warming, pile these on mashed potatoes or buttered noodles. For a lighter bite, scoop over rice. Leftovers tucked into buns make a killer lunch—sort of like a meatball hoagie.
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Casual Origins
Salisbury steak started out as a thrifty way for Americans to make beef stretch further. Switching things up with meatballs gives you that same deep flavor, only a lot quicker to make and share. It’s proof that old favorites just keep getting better when you make them fit your busy life.
Common Recipe Questions
- → Should I use frozen meatballs, or will fresh ones work?
Go ahead and use fresh homemade or store-bought meatballs if you like. Just be sure to give them enough time in the slow cooker so they're safely done inside.
- → What goes well with these meatballs?
Egg noodles and mashed potatoes both taste awesome here. You could also try buttered veggies or plain rice on the side.
- → How can I make the gravy thicker if it seems runny?
You sure can. Mix together some cold water and cornstarch, then pour that combo into your slow cooker, and stir until the gravy's nice and thick.
- → Can I get this meal ready the day before?
Definitely. You can fix the meatballs and gravy ahead of time and pop them in the fridge. Heat things back up gently in your slow cooker or a pot on the stove.
- → What keeps the meatballs together while slow cooking?
It's easiest if you use frozen or very cold fresh meatballs—they'll stay in one piece through the whole slow cook process.
- → Is it OK to freeze the extras for later?
Absolutely. Just cool down the meatballs and gravy, tuck them into a sealed container, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw, then warm them up when you want to eat.