Description
Tender Salisbury meatballs slow-cooked in a rich, savory brown gravy made from reduced-sodium beef broth, brown gravy mix, and onion soup mix, enhanced with ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. This easy comfort food recipe uses frozen meatballs for minimal prep and is perfect served over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice for a hearty family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 26 ounces frozen meatballs (approximately 30 to 35 pieces)
Gravy Sauce
- 2 cups reduced-sodium beef broth
- 1 packet brown gravy mix
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Thickening Slurry
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
Instructions
- Arrange Meatballs in Cooker: Place the frozen meatballs evenly in the slow cooker insert to ensure they cook uniformly and absorb the flavors.
- Prepare Gravy Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the reduced-sodium beef broth, brown gravy mix, onion soup mix, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Coat Meatballs with Gravy: Pour the prepared gravy mixture over the frozen meatballs in the slow cooker and gently stir to coat all the meatballs evenly without breaking them.
- Slow Cook Until Tender: Cover the slow cooker and set it to low heat. Cook for 4 to 6 hours until the meatballs are fully heated through and fork-tender, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Thicken Gravy: About 30 minutes before serving, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to form a smooth slurry. Stir this into the slow cooker to thicken the gravy, cooking for the remaining 30 minutes to achieve a silky texture.
- Serve: Spoon the Salisbury meatballs and thickened gravy over creamy mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or steamed white rice and serve immediately for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Use reduced-sodium broth and gravy mixes to better control salt levels.
- Gently stir the meatballs after adding the gravy to avoid breaking them.
- For gluten-free adaptation, select gluten-free soup and gravy mixes and verify that meatballs are gluten-free.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated with a splash of beef broth to loosen the gravy.
- Homemade meatballs can replace frozen ones if fully cooked prior to slow cooking.
- If gravy is too thin after cooking, additional cornstarch slurry can be added and cooked for a few more minutes.
- Optional: Serve with green peas or roasted vegetables for added color and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: slow cooker meatballs, Salisbury meatballs, comfort food, easy dinner, gravy meatballs, American recipe, family meal
