Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs (Set It & Forget It!)

These Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs are the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it comfort food — tender beef meatballs braised all day in the most incredible savory mushroom gravy. Dump everything in the crockpot in the morning and come home to a meal that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen!

Why You’ll Love This

• Dump-and-go crockpot dinner — ready in 4–6 hours
• Rich, velvety mushroom gravy you’ll want to drink
• Meatballs stay incredibly tender in the slow cooker
• Feeds a crowd — perfect for meal prep
• Freezes beautifully for easy weeknight dinners

Ingredients

Meatballs

• 2 lbs (900g) ground beef (80/20)
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

Mushroom Gravy

• 2 cans (10.5 oz each) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 packet (1 oz) onion soup mix
• 1½ cups beef broth
• 8 oz sliced mushrooms
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

1. Make meatballs: Combine all meatball ingredients, mix gently, roll into 1.5-inch balls.
2. Brown (optional but worth it): Sear in a hot skillet 2 min per side for deeper flavor.
3. Mix gravy: Whisk soup, broth, onion soup mix, Worcestershire, garlic powder until smooth.
4. Layer in crockpot: Pour half the gravy in, add meatballs, top with mushrooms and remaining gravy.
5. Cook LOW 6–8 hrs or HIGH 3–4 hrs. Thicken if desired: mix 2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water, stir in last 30 min.

Tip: Don’t overmix the meat — it makes tough meatballs. Mix just until combined and handle gently.

Nutrition (per serving, 4–5 meatballs)

• Calories: ~380 kcal
• Protein: 28g
• Carbs: 18g
• Fat: 22g

Serving Suggestions

• Over creamy mashed potatoes — the classic pairing
• Over egg noodles for a stroganoff-style dinner
• With steamed green beans or roasted broccoli
• Over cauliflower mash for a lower-carb option

Storage

• Fridge: 4 days in airtight container
• Freezer: up to 3 months — freeze gravy and meatballs together

FAQs

Can I use frozen meatballs?

Yes! Use 2 lbs of frozen Italian-style meatballs straight from the bag — skip the mixing step. Increase cook time by 1 hour on LOW.

How do I thicken the gravy?

Mix 2 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp cold water. Stir into crockpot in the last 30 minutes with lid off on HIGH. Stir every 10 minutes until thickened to your liking.