Crock Pot Salisbury Meatballs are juicy meatballs smothered in a flavorful brown gravy served over a big pile of fluffy mashed potatoes. The best thing about this recipe is that homemade or frozen meatballs can be used. Directions for both options are included.
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I love anything smothered in brown gravy. It’s so rich and tasty, a comfort food for sure. These meatballs don’t disappoint! You can serve them alone, as an appetizer with toothpicks or as a full meal.
You can use frozen meatballs for an easy short cut or, if you have a little time, prepare the meatballs from scratch. I’ll share both ways below.
Our family enjoys Salisbury Meatballs over egg noodles or fluffy mashed potatoes.
Love meatball based recipes? Try Swedish Meatballs, Classic Meatballs, or delicious and simple Sweet and Sour Meatballs.
What is Salisbury?
Salisbury Steak is an American dish consisting of ground beef (hamburger), usually shaped into patties and then covered in brown gravy. Salisbury Steak has been enjoyed for over 100 years in the U.S.!
What You’ll Need
Find the full, printable recipe with exact measurements at the bottom of this post. Read on for more details and tips!
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For Homemade Meatballs:
- Lean ground beef or turkey
- Yellow or white onion, finely diced or grated
- Garlic
- Seasonings- salt, pepper, Italian seasoning
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Milk- the addition of milk keeps the meatballs tender and juicy
If you are using frozen meatballs: You’ll need a 28 ounce bag of meatballs
For the Gravy:
- Tomato paste
- Beef broth
- Yellow onion
- Button or mini portabella mushrooms, sliced
- Unsalted butter
- Worcestershire sauce
- Cornstarch and Cold Water- this makes a slurry to thicken the gravy
How to make it
Prep Your Slow Cooker
Spray your crock pot with nonstick cooking spray or lightly grease with oil.
Make the meatballs (Skip if Using Frozen)
Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them in the crock pot.
In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, onions, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, Panko breadcrumbs, and milk.
Gently mix until just combined—avoid overmixing.
If using frozen meatballs, simply add them to the crock pot.
Add the Sauce and Vegetables
Pour beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, and butter over the meatballs.
Layer the sliced onions and mushrooms on top.
Cook the Meatballs
- For homemade meatballs: Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
- For frozen meatballs: Cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.
Thicken the Gravy
In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cold water.
Pour the mixture into the crock pot and stir into the gravy.
Cover and cook for an additional 15 minutes, allowing the gravy to thicken.
Serve it Up
While the gravy thickens, get your mashed potatoes or egg noodles ready. Distribute your noodles or potatoes into bowls, then top with meatballs and a generous ladle of gravy. Grab a fork and dig in!
What’s better than juicy, smothered meatballs over some buttery mashed potatoes?!
Did you enjoy this recipe? Take a picture and tag me @StephGigliotti on social media and #StephRealLife. I would absolutely love to see your finished dish! Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comment section.
You might also like
- Ravioli Casserole
- Tater Tot Casserole
- Crock Pot Glazed Ham
- Porcupine Meatballs
- Stuffed Pepper Casserole
- Slow Cooker Buttery Beef and Potatoes
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Crock Pot Salisbury Meatballs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 28 ounce bag frozen meatballs if using frozen meatballs
For the meatballs:
- 2 pounds lean ground beef can use ground turkey
- ½ yellow onion finely diced or grated
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp milk
For the gravy:
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ yellow onion sliced (use the other half of the onion from the meatballs)
- 8- ounces button mushrooms or mini portabella mushrooms sliced
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp cold water
- Prepared mashed potatoes for serving
Instructions
- Spray your crock pot with nonstick cooking spray or lightly grease with oil.
- Make the Meatballs (Skip if Using Frozen) In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, onions, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, Panko breadcrumbs, and milk. Gently mix until just combined—avoid overmixing.
- Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them in the crock pot.
- If using frozen meatballs, simply add them to the crock pot.
- Pour beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, and butter over the meatballs.
- Layer the sliced onions and mushrooms on top.
- Cooking: For homemade meatballs: Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours. For frozen meatballs: Cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.
- When the meatballs are finished cooking, thicken the gravy. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cold water.
- Pour the mixture into the crock pot and stir into the gravy. Cover and cook for an additional 15 minutes on the high setting, allowing the gravy to thicken.
- Scoop mashed potatoes into bowls, then top with meatballs and a generous ladle of gravy.
- Grab a fork and dig in!
