Salisbury Steak Meatballs
55 Comments Jul 02, 2023
Updated Jun 11, 2025
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Frozen meatballs are turned into Salisbury steak meatballs using a couple packets and some extra seasonings, you will love this gravy laden recipe!
Salisbury steak is an American-based dish that typically consists of ground beef patties that are cooked with gravy – our recipe for Salisbury steak meatballs takes out ALL of the work and uses frozen meatballs instead. You can see the classic Crockpot Salisbury Steak if you want the full version.
Key Ingredients for Salisbury Steak Meatballs
This shortcut recipe comes together quickly. For the full recipe amounts, see the recipe card below the photos.
- Frozen Meatballs: Homestyle or Italian meatballs work great.
- Brown Gravy Mix: You’ll need 2 packets for this recipe. Any brand will do but I like McCormick’s.
- Mushrooms: These can be purchased already sliced or you can get the whole mushrooms and slice them yourself.
- Seasonings: Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder are all you’ll need to capture the Salisbury flavor.
Tips and Variations
Here are some tricks to change up this meal:
- Onions can be added but you will want to dice them very fine for they take much longer to cook than the mushrooms and gravy.
- Want more gravy? Double the gravy and water ingredients. Or add a can of cream of mushroom soup.
- Add a half cup of sour cream just for serving to make these into stroganoff-flavored meatballs. (and a dollop on each plate).
How to Make Salisbury Steak Meatballs
- Add the meatballs to your slow cooker.
- Combine the seasonings and gravy, then pour everything over the top.
- Let it cook low and slow until everything is hot and flavorful—then stir and serve!
My Serving Suggestions
However you eat these, you will love them. Here are a few ideas.
- The BEST way to serve Salisbury steak meatballs is over a starch, whether it be mashed potatoes, steamed white rice, or egg noodles. Be sure to add a nice helping of the mushroom gravy on top.
- These tender meatballs can be served as an appetizer straight out of the slow cooker. Simply turn the slow cooker to the KEEP WARM setting, supply a slotted spoon or toothpicks for picking, and you’re all set.
- You can also place meatballs onto a hoagie bun for a quick and easy meatball sandwich. Top it with your favorite cheese and other toppings too.
Featured Comment
“This is sooooo good. The flavor of the gravy is incredible and using our favorite frozen meatballs means putting it all together was quick & easy. I’ve tagged this as a favorite! Highly recommend!!”
– gaylynn
Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe
How to Video
Ingredients
- 26 oz. frozen meatballs, (no need to defrost)
- 2 cups sliced mushrooms
- 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp. onion powder
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- 1.74 oz. brown gravy mix (2 packets)
- 1 ½ cups water
Instructions
- Add the meatballs to the slow cooker.
- Add the mushrooms, worcestershire sauce, onion powder and garlic powder.
- In a small bowl whisk together the gravy mix and water.
- Pour the gravy mixture over the meatballs.
- Cook on LOW for 4 hours.
- Stir, serve and enjoy.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
More Crockpot Meatball Recipes
Grape Jelly Meatballs and Meatballs and Little Smokies are sweet, savory, and perfect for parties or holiday spreads.
For something bold, try Slow Cooker Jalapeño Meatballs or Honey Garlic Meatballs—both pack a punch of flavor in every bite.
Slow Cooker Meatball Sliders make an easy game day snack, while Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs offer a lighter twist that’s still full of flavor.
Serve up comfort with Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs, made in a rich, creamy gravy—perfect over noodles or mashed potatoes.
This dinner recipe is win! Satisfies the picky eaters. It’s a regular in the rotation now.
Found this recipe on Mandy in the Making’s channel. Made it for dinner tonight. The only change I made to the recipe is I added some onion. It was amazing. Definitely going to make this again. Thank you for such a good recipe!
You can use jar gravy. It should be at least a 12 oz jar as the recipe called for 1 1/2 cups of water to mix 2 of the 1 cup size packets,, which is what the Walmart brand is. And add your other seasonings called for in the recipe. If you choose to use ONE of the packets that makes 2 cups , such as Pioneer Brand then only use the 1 1/2 cups of water and follow the recipe. If your gravy is thinner than you like simply add in a cornstarch slurry and it will thicken it up. Usually 2 tablespoons cornstarch to 2tablespoon of cold water and stir.
Delicious! I made my own homemade brown gravy which was simple and added everything else to the crockpot. So good over mashed potatoes
We loved this. Served it with mashed potatoes. My husband kept telling me how much he liked this recipe. We will be making it again.
Could you use jar gravy?
I don’t see why not! I have not tested it, so I do not have amounts.
I always use jar gravy. It turns out great. The family loves it.
I might add a little less water or a little blended arrowroot powder next time to help thicken up the sauce. It was just a little watery – might have been from excess moisture from frozen meatballs.
We love this! I use reduced sodium brown gravy.
Is the sauce suppose to be runny?
Before it cooks, yes it will be runny. If it’s still runny after it cooks, you can make a cornstarch slurry.
How do you make a cornstarch slurry while the meat balls are in there
You make a slurry out of about 2 tablespoons of water and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and stir in into the meatballs and sauce.
How would you cook if you don’t have a crock pot. Would love to try it out!
Hi! I do not test my recipes on the stove top or oven, I apologize.
Hi Sarah ….. you could put all the ingredients together in a casserole dish and cook in your oven at 300 degrees for 4 hours.