If you’re looking for a cozy, crowd-pleasing dinner that ticks every comfort food box, this Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe is for you! Juicy, savory meatballs are cloaked in a rich onion gravy that’s simply begging to be spooned over a mound of mashed potatoes or egg noodles. It’s a dish that looks and tastes impressive, yet comes together quickly with simple kitchen staples. Meat lovers and picky eaters alike fall head-over-heels for its homespun charm, making it a foolproof hit for family dinners or casual get-togethers.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe plays a starring role, working together to create melt-in-your-mouth meatballs and a luscious, deeply flavorful gravy. Here’s what you’ll need, plus a few tips to make each component shine:
- Ground Beef: Opt for 85% lean for juicy, tender meatballs that don’t dry out as they cook.
- Breadcrumbs: They bind everything together and soak up all the tasty juices—panko or classic both work.
- Egg: Keeps the meatballs impossibly tender and helps everything hold together.
- Ketchup: Adds a hint of sweetness and tang, boosting the traditional Salisbury steak flavor.
- Worcestershire Sauce: The secret ingredient for savoriness and depth; don’t skip it!
- Onion Powder & Garlic Powder: Provide a subtle background flavor so every bite is seasoned, even inside.
- Salt & Black Pepper: These essentials uplift all the other flavors—taste and adjust as needed.
- Olive Oil: Perfect for browning the meatballs, lending a lovely seared finish.
- Butter: Makes the gravy extra rich and coats the onions for maximum flavor.
- Onion (thinly sliced): As they cook down, onions add sweetness and round out the gravy’s flavor.
- Beef Broth: The backbone of your gravy, choose a quality low-sodium broth if possible.
- Cornstarch & Water: Whisked together for a silky, pourable gravy that hugs each meatball.
- Ketchup & Worcestershire Sauce (for gravy): These add complexity and a little zest to the sauce base.
How to Make Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe
Step 1: Mix and Form the Meatballs
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Use your hands or a fork to gently mix everything until just combined—don’t overwork it, or the meatballs will be tough. Shape the mixture into 16 to 18 small, even meatballs and set them aside on a tray or plate.
Step 2: Brown the Meatballs
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the meatballs in a single layer, working in batches if necessary. Brown them for about 6 to 8 minutes, turning every couple of minutes to get a nice golden crust on all sides. Don’t worry if they’re not cooked through at this point—they’ll finish in the gravy! Remove the browned meatballs and set them aside.
Step 3: Sauté the Onions
Without cleaning the skillet (that’s where all that flavor lives!), melt the butter and toss in the thinly sliced onions. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they’re soft and just starting to become golden and sweet-smelling.
Step 4: Make the Gravy
While the onions cook, whisk together the beef broth, cornstarch, water, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl. Pour this mixture into the skillet with the onions. Bring everything to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan for even more rich flavor.
Step 5: Simmer the Meatballs in Gravy
Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the bubbling onion gravy. Cover and let them simmer gently for 10 to 12 minutes, turning once or twice, until the meatballs are cooked through and the gravy has thickened to glossy perfection.
Step 6: Serve Hot and Enjoy!
Ladle the Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe over your favorite side—whether it’s fluffy mashed potatoes, buttery noodles, or pillowy rice—and make sure every serving gets plenty of that irresistible onion gravy.
How to Serve Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley brightens up the plate and adds a pop of color. If you’d like a little more richness, a drizzle of heavy cream right over the gravy just before serving is pure heaven—your guests will swoon!
Side Dishes
This dish was practically made for creamy mashed potatoes, but don’t stop there. Steamed green beans, buttered corn, or a crisp garden salad all make fantastic supporting acts. Crusty rolls are perfect for mopping up every last drop of that savory gravy, too!
Creative Ways to Present
For a party-ready twist, offer the Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe as an appetizer with toothpicks. Or build a “comfort food bowl” bar so everyone can layer up their own base (think rice, noodles, or potatoes), a scoop of meatballs, a ladle of gravy, and the toppings of their choice. It’s interactive and fun for guests of any age.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, transfer the meatballs and gravy to an airtight container and refrigerate promptly. They’ll keep wonderfully for up to 3 days, making lunch or dinner the next day a total breeze.
Freezing
This Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe freezes beautifully. Let everything cool completely, then tuck the meatballs and gravy into a freezer-safe container. They’ll stay fresh for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.
Reheating
For best texture, reheat the meatballs gently in a covered skillet with a splash of beef broth or water, stirring occasionally, until hot through. The microwave works in a pinch—just be sure to cover the dish to lock in moisture. Stir midway through reheating for even warmth.
FAQs
What’s the difference between Salisbury steak and regular meatballs?
Salisbury steak meatballs are infused with the classic seasonings and rich gravy you’d expect from traditional Salisbury steak, but shaped into fun, bite-sized portions! Ordinary meatballs tend to be simply seasoned and often served with tomato sauce, while this version stars a savory onion gravy instead.
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken works just as well—just know that you may need to add an extra splash of olive oil or a spoonful of sour cream to keep the meatballs moist and tender, since poultry tends to be a bit leaner than beef.
What’s the secret to juicy meatballs?
The key is not to overmix your meatball mixture, and to use that egg and breadcrumbs combo for moisture and binding. Also, browning the meatballs before simmering locks in flavor and helps them stay shapely and delicious.
Is this Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe gluten-free?
It’s so easy to make gluten-free! Simply swap in gluten-free breadcrumbs and double-check that your ketchup and Worcestershire sauce are GF-friendly. All the taste, none of the gluten.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Definitely. The meatballs and gravy can be made a day ahead and chilled together. When you’re ready, reheat gently on the stove or in the oven, adding a splash of broth if the gravy has thickened up too much in the fridge.
Final Thoughts
Nothing says comfort quite like a plate of this Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe. If you need a go-to for busy weeknights or want to impress company without fuss, give this recipe a whirl. I promise, from the rich aroma wafting through your kitchen to that first savory bite, it’s likely to become a treasured favorite in your home too!
Print
Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the comforting flavors of Salisbury Steak with this easy-to-make Salisbury Steak Meatballs recipe. Juicy meatballs in a rich, savory gravy, perfect for serving over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Gravy:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for frying)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Form into 16–18 small meatballs.
- Cook the Meatballs: Brown meatballs in olive oil in a skillet. Set aside once cooked.
- Make the Gravy: Sauté onions in butter. Whisk beef broth, cornstarch, water, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer the mixture, then add meatballs and cook until done.
- Serve: Enjoy hot over your choice of starch.
Notes
- For added richness, stir in a splash of heavy cream.
- Meatballs can be made ahead and frozen for later use.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 4 meatballs with gravy
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
