There’s something deeply comforting about a plate of tender, juicy meatballs swimming in a rich, savory gravy. This Salisbury Steak Meatballs recipe takes the nostalgic flavors of a classic dish and transforms it into a quick, easy, and family-pleasing weeknight dinner. Forget dry, tough patties; these meatballs are perfectly seasoned, unbelievably tender, and simmered in a mushroom and onion gravy that you’ll want to eat by the spoonful. It’s the ultimate comfort food, ready in under an hour.
Why You’ll Love This Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe
- Quick & Easy: This entire meal comes together in one pan and is ready in about 40 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Incredibly Flavorful: We build layers of savory flavor, from the perfectly seasoned meatballs to the rich, umami-packed mushroom and onion gravy.
- Family-Friendly: It’s a certified crowd-pleaser! Even the pickiest eaters can’t resist these tender meatballs and delicious gravy.
- Simple Ingredients: You likely have most of the ingredients for these Salisbury Steak Meatballs in your pantry and refrigerator right now.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Flavorful Meatballs
- Ground Beef: An 80/20 blend provides the perfect balance of fat for flavor and moisture.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: These keep the meatballs light and tender.
- Egg: Acts as a binder to hold everything together.
- Ketchup: Adds a touch of sweetness and tang.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Provides a deep, savory, umami flavor.
- Onion Powder & Garlic Powder: For essential aromatic flavor.
- Salt & Black Pepper: To taste.
For the Rich & Savory Gravy
- Olive Oil & Butter: For searing the meatballs and sautéing the vegetables.
- Yellow Onion: Thinly sliced to create a sweet, flavorful base.
- Cremini Mushrooms: Sliced mushrooms add an earthy, savory depth.
- All-Purpose Flour: To thicken the gravy.
- Beef Broth: The liquid base for our rich gravy.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a subtle tang that cuts through the richness.
How to Make Salisbury Steak Meatballs (Step-by-Step)
Making homemade Salisbury Steak Meatballs is easier than you think. Just follow these simple steps for a perfect comfort food dinner.
- Combine the Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently mix the ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, egg, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough.
- Form the Meatballs: Roll the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs. You should get about 18-20 meatballs.
- Sear the Meatballs: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides. You don’t need to cook them through at this point. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set them aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the sliced onions and mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes, until the onions are soft and caramelized and the mushrooms have released their liquid and started to brown.
- Make the Gravy: Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir to combine. Cook for one minute to get rid of the raw flour taste. Slowly pour in the beef broth while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Stir in the Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce.
- Simmer and Serve: Bring the gravy to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Return the seared meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the gravy. Cover and let them simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the gravy has thickened. Serve hot!
Tips for the Best Salisbury Steak Meatballs
- Don’t Overwork the Meat: Mix the meatball ingredients until just combined. Overworking the ground beef will result in tough, dense meatballs.
- Get a Good Sear: Browning the meatballs before simmering them in the gravy creates a flavorful crust and adds immense depth to the dish.
- Scrape the Pan: After searing the meatballs, don’t forget to scrape up all the browned bits (the “fond”) from the bottom of the skillet when you add the broth. That’s pure flavor!
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Using fresh mushrooms and onions will always yield a more flavorful gravy than using canned varieties.
What to Serve with Your Meatballs
These Salisbury Steak Meatballs are traditionally served over creamy mashed potatoes to soak up all that delicious gravy. They are also fantastic with egg noodles, rice, or a side of crusty Amish white bread for dipping. For a vegetable side, consider steamed green beans, roasted broccoli, or a simple side salad.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store leftover Salisbury Steak Meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can reheat them gently in a saucepan over low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through. This recipe is also a great candidate for a comforting beef stew if you have leftovers.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use pre-cooked frozen meatballs in a pinch. Simply skip the searing step and add them to the gravy, letting them simmer until they are heated through, which may take about 15-20 minutes.
The key is to use a binder like an egg and breadcrumbs, as this recipe calls for. Also, be sure not to overmix the meat mixture, and handle the meatballs gently when forming and searing them.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through. The gravy may thicken, so you can add a splash of beef broth to thin it out if needed.
They are traditionally served over creamy mashed potatoes, but they’re also delicious with egg noodles, rice, or even quinoa. A side of steamed green beans or roasted asparagus complements the rich flavors perfectly.
Salisbury steak is typically a seasoned ground beef patty shaped like a steak, while meatballs are round. This recipe combines the best of both: the tender texture of a meatball with the classic savory onion and mushroom gravy of a Salisbury steak.
More Comfort Food Recipes You’ll Love
If you loved this satisfying dinner, you’ll surely enjoy our cozy Crock Pot Potato Soup. We hope you love this Salisbury Steak Meatballs recipe as much as we do! If you try it, please leave a comment below and let us know what you think. Don’t forget to share your creations on Pinterest!
Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe
Salisbury Steak Meatballs: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a large bowl, gently mix the ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, egg, ketchup, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Roll the mixture into approximately 1.5-inch meatballs.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and sear for 5-7 minutes, turning, until browned on all sides. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add sliced onions and mushrooms. Cook for 8-10 minutes until softened and browned.
- Sprinkle flour over the vegetables, stir, and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the beef broth, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard until smooth.
- Bring the gravy to a simmer. Return the meatballs to the skillet, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10-15 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through and the gravy has thickened.
- Serve hot, spooning extra gravy over the meatballs.
Notes
Tip 2: Ensure you scrape the bottom of the pan after searing the meatballs to incorporate all the flavorful browned bits into your gravy.
Tip 3: Serve over creamy mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice for a complete meal.
