Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs (Frozen Meatballs) Recipe
If you are craving a comforting dish that tastes like it has simmered all day but with hardly any effort, the Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs (Frozen Meatballs) Recipe is your new best friend. This recipe transforms simple frozen meatballs into a rich, savory meal drenched in a velvety onion and brown gravy that melts in your mouth. Perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekend dinners, it offers hearty flavors and soul-satisfying textures with minimal prep and maximum flavor payoff.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of ingredients, each playing a vital role, this recipe keeps things straightforward yet flavorful. These essentials bring together the perfect combination of savory juices, thick gravy, and tender meatballs.
- Frozen meatballs (26 oz): The star of the dish, providing juicy, perfectly portioned bites with ease.
- Reduced-sodium beef broth (2 cups): Adds a deep, beefy base without overpowering saltiness.
- Brown gravy mix (1 packet): For that classic smooth, rich gravy foundation.
- Onion soup mix (1 packet): Infuses robust onion flavor and savory herbs that elevate the dish.
- Ketchup (2 tablespoons): Brings a subtle tang and slight sweetness to balance the savory notes.
- Worcestershire sauce (1 tablespoon): Adds umami depth and a mild hint of savory complexity.
- Cornstarch (2 tablespoons): Essential to thicken the gravy to the perfect consistency.
- Cold water (2 tablespoons): Used to create a cornstarch slurry that blends seamlessly into the sauce.
How to Make Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs (Frozen Meatballs) Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Gravy
Start by whisking together the reduced-sodium beef broth with the brown gravy mix, onion soup mix, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl. This mixture creates the flavorful, savory sauce that will envelop your meatballs as they cook, building the foundation for that classic Salisbury steak taste you’re after.
Step 2: Add Meatballs to the Slow Cooker
Next, place the frozen meatballs directly into your slow cooker. There’s no need to defrost anything, which makes this recipe an incredible time-saver, especially on hectic days when you want a homemade dinner but don’t want to fuss.
Step 3: Pour the Gravy Over the Meatballs
Pour the prepared gravy mixture evenly over the frozen meatballs, ensuring that every bite will simmer in that luscious sauce. This step guarantees that the meatballs soak up those rich, savory flavors while they cook low and slow.
Step 4: Slow Cook on Low
Cover your slow cooker and set it on low for 6 hours. During this time, the meatballs heat through, and the flavors meld beautifully while the sauce thickens naturally into a rich gravy that coats every morsel.
Step 5: Thicken the Gravy
About 10 to 15 minutes before serving, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl to make a slurry. Stir this slurry into the slow cooker to give the gravy that perfect, silky thickness. Cover again and cook for the last few minutes until the sauce is wonderfully thickened and glossy.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Your Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs (Frozen Meatballs) Recipe is now ready to be devoured! Spoon the meatballs and thick gravy over your favorite mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles for a hearty, satisfying meal.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs (Frozen Meatballs) Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like chopped parsley or thyme are a delightful garnish that adds a pop of color and a fresh contrast to the rich gravy. A sprinkle of cracked black pepper or a few crispy fried onions on top also add texture and extra flavor, elevating your presentation and the overall dining experience.
Side Dishes
Traditional mashed potatoes are an obvious, comforting choice because they soak up that savory gravy perfectly. But don’t stop there—steamed green beans, roasted carrots, or buttery egg noodles make excellent companions that balance the richness of the meatballs and create a well-rounded meal everyone will love.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to switch things up, try serving the meatballs on toasted hoagie rolls topped with provolone or Swiss cheese for a hearty sandwich variation. Alternatively, plating the meatballs over creamy polenta or even cauliflower mash offers a unique twist while keeping the comforting spirit alive.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs (Frozen Meatballs) keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making your next meal just as delicious if not better.
Freezing
You can freeze leftover meatballs and gravy in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Be sure to cool the dish completely before freezing to preserve texture and flavor. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
For reheating, gently warm the meatballs and gravy on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Adding a splash of beef broth or water can help loosen the gravy if it thickened too much in the fridge or freezer. Alternatively, microwave in short bursts, stirring in between to ensure even heating.
FAQs
Can I use homemade meatballs instead of frozen ones?
Absolutely! While this recipe is designed for convenience with frozen meatballs, homemade meatballs work beautifully and can add an extra layer of freshness and personalization to the dish.
Is it necessary to use the onion soup mix?
The onion soup mix adds a signature savory onion flavor that is difficult to replicate otherwise, but if you don’t have it on hand, finely chopped sautéed onions with a pinch of garlic powder can make a good substitute.
Can I make this recipe on high in the slow cooker?
You can cook on high for about 3 hours, but the texture and flavor typically develop better on the low setting when cooking meatballs with gravy.
Is this recipe freezer-friendly before cooking?
Yes, you can prep the ingredients and freeze them together in a slow cooker bag. When ready to cook, thaw in the fridge overnight and then cook as directed for best results.
What can I serve besides mashed potatoes?
This dish pairs well with a variety of starches like buttered egg noodles, creamy polenta, rice, or even a sturdy crusty bread to soak up every bit of that delicious gravy.
Final Thoughts
There is something incredibly comforting about the Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs (Frozen Meatballs) Recipe that feels like a warm hug in food form. Its ease, rich flavors, and tender meatballs make it a true winner for busy days or whenever you need a little taste of home. Trust me, once you try it, this will be one of those dishes you turn to again and again. So grab your slow cooker and give this cozy recipe a go—you won’t regret it!
Print
Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs (Frozen Meatballs) Recipe
- Total Time: 6 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs recipe features frozen meatballs cooked slowly in a savory brown gravy infused with onion soup mix, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Perfect for a comforting, hands-off meal, the tender meatballs soak up the rich flavors as they simmer, and the gravy is finished with a cornstarch slurry for a luscious, thick sauce. Ideal served over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles for a hearty dinner.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 bag (26 oz) frozen meatballs (about 30–35 meatballs)
Gravy
- 2 cups reduced-sodium beef broth
- 1 packet brown gravy mix
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Thickener
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
Instructions
- Prepare the Gravy: In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth, brown gravy mix, onion soup mix, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce until well combined, ensuring a smooth sauce base for the meatballs.
- Slow Cook the Meatballs: Place the frozen meatballs into the slow cooker, arranging them evenly for uniform cooking.
- Add Gravy Mixture: Pour the prepared gravy mixture over the meatballs, making sure they are completely covered for maximum flavor absorption.
- Cook on Low: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6 hours, allowing the meatballs to heat through and the sauce to develop rich flavors and begin thickening.
- Make Cornstarch Slurry: In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and cold water, stirring until smooth to prepare a slurry that will thicken the sauce.
- Thicken the Gravy: After 6 hours, stir the cornstarch slurry into the slow cooker. Cover and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gravy reaches the desired thickness.
- Serve: Once thickened, serve the Salisbury steak meatballs hot over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles for a complete, comforting meal.
Notes
- Use reduced-sodium beef broth to control the salt content in the dish.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure that the frozen meatballs, gravy mix, and onion soup mix are gluten-free.
- Do not add the cornstarch slurry at the beginning; it will lose thickening power if cooked too long.
- If you prefer a thicker gravy, you can increase the cornstarch to 3 tablespoons.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
