Salisbury Steak Meatballs

Turn store-bought meatballs into the ultimate comfort food with this recipe for Salisbury Steak Meatballs served in a rich gravy and ready in just 30 minutes!

MEATBALLS WITH AN INCREDIBLE BROWN GRAVY

These Salisbury Steak Meatballs feature those flavors you know and love with Salisbury Steak, but with meatballs! The gravy really is the star of the show. That’s where all the flavor resides and that is the par we’re making from scratch. You can, of course, use your own favorite meatballs recipe as well. Salisbury Steak Meatballs are a meal the whole family will love!

A plate of Salisbury Steak Meatballs on top of mashed potatoes.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: 

Do I have to use frozen meatballs?

Nope! I used them out of convenience. But, if you have a favorite homemade meatballs recipe, please feel free to use that. Just don’t use an Italian meatball recipe as those flavors will clash with this gravy recipe.

How should I serve these?

These meatballs are delicious by themselves, but they’re also perfect when served over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice to soak up that sauce.

Can I make these in the Crock Pot?

Everyone always wants to know if the Slow Cooker can be used because many times it makes a recipe even easier. But not with this recipe. It’s actually easier and faster to make them just how I do here. However, if you really want to use the Crock Pot, you can cook the onions a bit first to soften them up and get a nice color on them. Then add them along with the other ingredients except for the meatballs to the Slow Cooker and whisk well. Once mixed, add the meatballs and cook on low for 4-6 hours. 

How to store leftover Salisbury Steak Meatballs?

Place in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can freeze them for up to 3 months.

What’s the best way to reheat Salisbury Steak Meatballs?

It does thicken when left to sit, so if you need to reheat, I suggest adding a splash more broth to loosen it up. You can use the microwave or a pan on the stovetop.

salisbury steak meatballs shown in a large skillet.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)

  • frozen homestyle meatballs– if you’re ok with changing the flavor profile, you could use chicken meatballs, turkey meatballs or other varieties that you enjoy.
  • unsalted butter– I also suggest sticking to unsalted butter here since the gravy mix already has salt included.
  • sweet onion
  • all-purpose flour
  • brown gravy mix – see my ingredient photo below if you need to know what to look for.
  • low sodium beef broth– I really suggest sticking to the low sodium version since the gravy is already salty enough. You can always season with additional salt as needed.
  • ketchup
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • dijon mustard– you don’t taste this Dijon mustard, so don’t let that stop you from adding it. All it does is add another depth of necessary flavor. But, if you don’t have it, just omit it. Do not try to use yellow mustard – that would really throw off the flavor since it’s a stronger vinegar flavor. This gravy will still taste great without it!
  • black pepper

HOW TO MAKE SALISBURY STEAK MEATBALLS

Cook the meatballs in the oven per the directions on the back of the bag, the meatballs I purchased took 15-20 minutes. While the meatballs are baking make the gravy, in a large skillet with deep sides, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and toss to coat in the butter, cook, stirring occasionally, until they start to lightly brown, 12-15 minutes.

collage of two photos: cooked meatballs on a tray; sliced onions cooking in butter in a skillet.

Add the flour and gravy mix, stir to coat, and cook for 1 minute. Slowly stream in the beef broth while stirring constantly to avoid lumps. 

collage of two photos: flour, brown gravy mix and sliced onions in a skillet; pouring beef broth into skillet with onions.

Stir in the ketchup, Worcestershire, dijon mustard, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer, lower the heat to low, and simmer until the meatballs are finished cooking in the oven. Add the meatballs and coat in the gravy.

collage of two photos: dijon mustard, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce added to skillet; cooked meatballs added to gravy in skillet.

Serve immediately.

A hand using a fork to get some Salisbury Steak Meatballs from the plate full.

CRAVING MORE RECIPES? 

Looking down on a pot of Salisbury Steak Meatballs in sauce.

Salisbury Steak Meatballs

Turn store-bought meatballs into the ultimate comfort food with this recipe for Salisbury Steak Meatballs served in a rich gravy and ready in just 30 minutes!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 32 ounce bag frozen homestyle meatballs
  • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium sweet onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 packet brown gravy mix
  • 2 ½ cups low sodium beef broth
  • 1 Tablespoon ketchup
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ Tablespoon dijon mustard (optional if you don't have it on hand)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Cook 32 ounce bag frozen homestyle meatballs in the oven per the directions on the back of the bag (the meatballs I purchased took 15-20 minutes).
    Cooked meatballs on a tray.
  • While the meatballs are baking make the gravy, in a large skillet with deep sides, melt 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter over medium heat.
  • Add 1 medium sweet onion, thinly sliced and toss to coat in the butter, cook, stirring occasionally, until they start to lightly brown, 12-15 minutes.
    sliced onions in a skillet.
  • Add 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour and 1 packet brown gravy mix, stir to coat, and cook for 1 minute.
    flour, brown gravy mix and black pepper added to sliced onions in a skillet.
  • Slowly stream in 2 1/2 cups low sodium beef broth while stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
    Beef broth being poured over cooked onions.
  • Stir in 1 Tablespoon ketchup, 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 Tablespoon dijon mustard and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
    A beef broth sauce with ketchup, Worcestershire, dijon, and black pepper.
  • Bring to a simmer, lower the heat to low, and simmer until the meatballs are finished cooking in the oven. When meatballs are done in the oven, add the meatballs to the skillet and coat in the gravy.
  • Serve immediately with mashed potatoes, rice or egg noodles.
    A plate of Salisbury Steak Meatballs on top of mashed potatoes.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

  • Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 498kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 40g | Sodium: 344mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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Recipe Rating




3 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This recipe was easy and delicious! I really needed to use the crock pot because of my schedule that day. So I used your crock pot directions, cooked it on low for 4 hours and it was perfect. My entire family really enjoyed this, and I’m looking forward to making it again. Thanks for a great recipe!