Description

Enjoy tender Salisbury steak meatballs slow cooked in a rich, savory brown gravy. This easy comfort food recipe uses frozen meatballs simmered in a flavorful sauce made from reduced-sodium beef broth, brown gravy mix, onion soup mix, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. The result is a hearty, fuss-free meal perfect for busy weeknights or casual family dinners. Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles for a satisfying and delicious dish everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

26 ounces frozen meatballs (approximately 30 to 35 pieces)

Gravy Mixture

2 cups reduced-sodium beef broth
1 packet brown gravy mix
1 packet onion soup mix
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Gravy Thickener

2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water

Instructions

Arrange Meatballs in Cooker: Place the frozen meatballs evenly in the bottom of your slow cooker to ensure even cooking.
Prepare Gravy Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the beef broth, brown gravy mix, onion soup mix, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth and homogenous.
Coat Meatballs with Gravy: Pour the prepared gravy mixture over the meatballs in the slow cooker. Gently stir to coat all meatballs evenly with the sauce.
Slow Cook Until Tender: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 4 to 6 hours until the meatballs are thoroughly heated and fork-tender.
Thicken Gravy: In the final 30 minutes of cooking, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Stir this into the slow cooker to thicken the gravy. Allow it to cook for the remaining 30 minutes for a luxurious consistency.
Serve: Spoon the meatballs and thickened gravy over mashed potatoes, steamed rice, or cooked egg noodles. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Notes

For best results, use reduced-sodium beef broth to keep flavors balanced and avoid excessive saltiness.
Frozen meatballs can be substituted with homemade fully cooked meatballs; searing beforehand adds extra texture.
The gravy thickens more as it cools, making leftovers taste even better.
Leftovers store well in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator and can be reheated with additional broth if needed.
To save time, the slow cooker can be set to high for 2-3 hours, but the texture may be slightly different.
Add mushrooms or fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for seasonal flavor variations.
Gluten-free gravy mix brands or homemade gravy substitutes can be used for dietary adaptations.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Category: Dinner
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: slow cooker meatballs, Salisbury steak meatballs, comforting dinner, easy slow cooker recipes, beef meatballs, brown gravy sauce, family meal, freezer-friendly