Salisbury steak meatballs are a simple twist on a comfort-food favorite! With precooked meatballs, the assembly only takes minutes. Just add everything to the slow cooker and come back at dinnertime for savory meatballs and lick-your-spoon delicious gravy!

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What is Salisbury steak?

Salisbury steak is a home-cooked classic! The dish includes seasoned ground beef patties slathered with a rich brown gravy containing mushrooms and onions.

You might also recognize Salisbury steak from popular TV dinners or other packaged meals in the frozen food aisle of the store. In this recipe, I’m bringing you a much-tastier version. Let’s turn this comfort classic into a meatball dish that’s easier to prep and perfect for slow cooking!

What’s To Love About This Recipe

Love home-cooked Salisbury steak, but not the multiple steps to make it? With this recipe, you get that traditional savory flavor made simple with frozen meatballs.
The slow cooker is integral to developing the rich mushroom-onion gravy. After extended time simmering, the flavors deepen perfectly.
Compared to the standard dish, the prep here is minimal! Just assemble all the ingredients into the slow cooker and walk away until dinnertime.
Hearty meatballs and gravy are a great option for serving over mashed potatoes, noodles, or mashed cauliflower.
Want to use homemade meatballs or make this gluten-free? It’s easy! Simple swaps will work just fine.
Slow cooker Salisbury steak meatballs make a hearty, family-friendly dinner with great leftovers. The flavor can’t be beat!

Ingredients Needed

Frozen meatballs (beef or turkey) – Grab a bag of frozen, precooked meatballs from the store and keep them in your freezer for days you need a filling meal with quick assembly. Check ingredient labels to ensure meatballs are gluten-free, if needed. You can also substitute with your favorite homemade meatball recipe – just make them ahead and store them in the freezer until it is time to cook.
Sliced mushrooms – Mushrooms add to the rich, earthy flavor of Salisbury steak gravy. Wash and slice them thoroughly if needed, and look for a variety such as cremini or baby bella mushrooms.
Chopped yellow onion – Chop up a yellow onion to add depth and a hint of sweetness to the gravy.
Garlic – Minced garlic is an easy step to enhance the gravy with a deeper flavor and aroma.
Butter – Butter adds a silky-smooth element to the gravy and helps to cook the mushrooms and onions in the sauce.
Flour – A bit of flour thickens the gravy, fully coats the meatballs, and is perfect for ladling over potatoes or noodles.
Soy sauce – Salisbury steak is recognizable because of its umami flavor. You can achieve it with a bit of soy sauce to really deepen the taste!
Dijon mustard – Dijon mustard contains vinegar which brings acidity to the sauce. Combined with butter and soy sauce, it’s the perfect balance to create a rich, savory gravy.
Beef broth – Beef broth creates the gravy base and keeps the meatballs juicy and tender during cooking.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs on countertop

How To Make Salisbury Steak Meatballs In The Slow Cooker

Add meatballs, mushrooms, onion, garlic, and butter to the slow cooker.

Butter mushroom onion garlic and frozen meatballs in slow cooker

Whisk flour with 4 tablespoons of water until smooth.

Mix remaining ingredients with the flour mixture, then pour over the meatballs in the slow cooker.

Chicken broth inside of bowl next to whisk

Frozen meatballs, onions, mushrooms, and chicken broth being poured into slow cooker

Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-6 hours. Sauce will thicken upon cooking, and the meatballs should be cooked to at least 165 ℉.
Serve over mashed potatoes, noodles, or mashed cauliflower for a lower-carb option.

Salisbury Steak Meatballs in slow cooker

Pro Tips

You do not need to thaw the frozen meatballs – they can go directly into the slow cooker!
If you use homemade meatballs, searing them first can help prevent them from falling apart.
For a thicker gravy, use slightly less broth or add more flour and water slurry at the end and cook uncovered for 15-30 more minutes.
For a thinner gravy, stir in additional broth or a splash of water after cooking.
Butter adds flavor and richness, but you can substitute with olive oil if needed.

Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Try different ground meat choices to vary the meatballs. Look for ground chicken, ground pork, or make your own homemade meatballs with a mix of ground beef and pork, all turkey, or even chicken.
If mushrooms aren’t your favorite, feel free to omit them from the gravy. Onions alone will still create a flavorful base, and you can add extra if desired.
Use gluten-free flour and gluten-free meatballs to make this dish gluten-free. You can also opt for a gluten-free soy sauce, or use coconut aminos or tamari as a swap.
Dijon mustard is a great addition for depth and a bit of acidity. If desired, you can swap it with a splash of Worcestershire for a slightly different flavor.

How To Serve Salisbury Steak Meatballs

With these easy Salisbury steak meatballs and gravy, you need a side that helps you savor every bit of the tasty gravy!

Serve a scoop of meatballs and sauce over Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, buttered noodles, or Slow Cooker Whipped Cauliflower for a low-carb option. Additional sides to enhance the hearty meatballs and tasty carbs are Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic, steamed broccoli, or a simple green salad.

If you want to try something new or repurpose the leftovers, the meatballs can also be served on slider buns for a fun twist.

Salisbury Steak sauce being poured on top of meatballs and mashed potatoes

Storing and Reheating

How To Best Store Leftovers

Fridge

Store leftover meatballs and gravy in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. (Freezing is not recommended due to potential texture changes in both the gravy and mushrooms.)

How To Best Reheat Leftovers

Gently warm leftovers over medium-low heat on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth if needed to loosen sauce. Or, reheat in the microwave in short intervals, stirring to ensure even heating.