Salisbury Steak Meatballs

My kids refused to eat my homemade Salisbury steak because they said it looked "weird and flat" compared to regular meatballs. Fine. I made the exact same recipe but rolled it into balls instead of patties, and suddenly it was their new favorite dinner. These Salisbury steak meatballs are literally the same ingredients as traditional Salisbury steak, but the meatball shape makes them more fun to eat and the gravy-to-meat ratio is absolutely perfect in every bite.

Jump to:

• What is Salisbury Steak Meatballs
• How To Make Salisbury Steak Meatballs
• What Pairs Well With Salisbury Steak Meatballs?
• Salisbury Steak Meatballs Variations
• Equipment
• Storage Tips
• Top Tips for Salisbury Steak Meatballs
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Wednesday Night Winner Made Easy
• Related
• Salisbury Steak Meatballs

What is Salisbury Steak Meatballs

Salisbury steak meatballs are seasoned ground beef meatballs cooked in rich brown onion gravy, combining the classic flavors of Salisbury steak with the convenient, bite-sized appeal of meatballs. Unlike Italian meatballs that use tomato sauce and Italian seasonings, these use Worcestershire sauce, onions, and beef broth to create savory brown gravy. The result is a comfort food dinner that's easier to eat than traditional Salisbury steak patties while delivering the same rich, beefy, gravy-laden satisfaction.

How To Make Salisbury Steak Meatballs

What Makes Our Version Special

Our Salisbury steak meatballs use a combination of breadcrumbs and milk (called a panade) that keeps the meatballs incredibly tender instead of tough and dry. The secret is building the gravy in the same pan where you brown the meatballs, which captures all those flavorful browned bits for deeper taste. After making these probably eighty times over five years of Wednesday night dinners, I've learned exactly how long to simmer the meatballs in gravy so they stay tender while the sauce thickens to perfect spoon-coating consistency.

Salisbury Steak Meatballs Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

• 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend works best)
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 large egg
• ⅓ cup onion, finely minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

For the Brown Gravy:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced (optional but recommended)
• 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

For Serving:

• Mashed potatoes
• Fresh parsley for garnish
• Extra gravy for pouring

Step by Step Method

Create Tender Meatball Base

• Mix breadcrumbs with milk in large bowl and let soak 5 minutes
• Add ground beef, egg, minced onion, garlic, and all seasonings
• Mix gently with hands just until combined, don't overwork
• Roll into 1.5 inch meatballs (should make about 20)

Brown for Maximum Flavor

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over medium high heat
• Working in batches, brown meatballs on all sides, about 2 minutes per side
• Remove to plate when browned (they don't need to cook through yet)
• Don't crowd the pan or they'll steam instead of brown

Build the Rich Gravy

• In same skillet, melt butter and add sliced onions
• Cook 5 to 7 minutes until softened and lightly caramelized
• Add mushrooms if using and cook until golden
• Sprinkle flour over vegetables and stir for 1 minute

Simmer Everything Together

• Slowly whisk in beef broth, scraping up all browned bits
• Add Worcestershire, ketchup, and Dijon mustard
• Return meatballs to skillet and bring to gentle simmer
• Cover and cook 15 to 20 minutes until meatballs are cooked through

Finish to Perfection

• Gravy should coat back of spoon when ready
• If too thick, add splash of broth; if too thin, simmer uncovered
• Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed
• Serve immediately over mashed potatoes with extra gravy

What Pairs Well With Salisbury Steak Meatballs?

These hearty Salisbury steak meatballs pair perfectly with creamy mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or white rice for soaking up that incredible gravy. We love serving them alongside green beans, roasted carrots, or steamed broccoli for complete comfort food dinners. For lighter options, try them with cauliflower mash or zucchini noodles. The rich brown gravy complements any starchy or vegetable side that can handle lots of sauce.

Salisbury Steak Meatballs Variations

Slow Cooker Salisbury Meatballs

• Brown meatballs first, then transfer to slow cooker
• Pour gravy ingredients over top and stir gently
• Cook on low 4 to 6 hours until tender
• Perfect hands off dinner for busy days

Instant Pot Salisbury Meatballs

• Use sauté function to brown meatballs in batches
• Build gravy using sauté function, then add meatballs back
• Pressure cook on high 8 minutes with quick release
• Fastest method for weeknight cooking

Swedish Style Salisbury Meatballs

• Add ¼ teaspoon nutmeg and allspice to meatball mixture
• Stir ½ cup sour cream into finished gravy
• Serve with lingonberry jam on the side
• Tastes like Swedish meatballs met Salisbury steak

Bacon Mushroom Salisbury Meatballs

• Add ½ cup cooked crumbled bacon to meatball mixture
• Double the mushrooms in the gravy
• Use bacon fat instead of butter for extra richness
• Ultimate savory indulgence version

Equipment

• Large skillet with lid for browning and simmering
• Large mixing bowl for meatball mixture
• Whisk for smooth gravy making
• Slotted spoon for removing meatballs
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Plate for holding browned meatballs

Storage Tips

Best Fresh

• Serve hot immediately for best texture and gravy consistency
• Meatballs are most tender when freshly cooked
• Gravy has perfect consistency straight from the pan
• Leftovers are still delicious but fresh is superior

Make Ahead Strategy

• Form uncooked meatballs up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate
• Brown meatballs and make gravy, then refrigerate separately
• Reheat gently and simmer together before serving
• Flavors actually improve after sitting overnight

Reheating Instructions

• Reheat in skillet over low heat with splash of broth
• Microwave individual portions 90 seconds on medium power
• Add extra beef broth if gravy has thickened too much
• Don't overheat or meatballs become tough

Frequently Asked Questions

Wednesday Night Winner Made Easy

Eighty Wednesday dinners later, these Salisbury steak meatballs have officially replaced every other ground beef recipe in our rotation. Sometimes the best solutions are just reshaping what already works.

Want more comfort food meatball magic? Our Homemade Salisbury Steak gives you the classic patty version with the same amazing gravy, while Chicken Meatballs offer a lighter take on the meatball concept. For another twist, try our Salisbury Steak Recipe With Ground Chicken that uses similar seasonings with leaner meat.

Show off your gravy-covered Salisbury steak meatballs goodness! Tag @HannahAndSproutKitchen with #SalisburyMeatballs because those mashed potato pools of brown gravy always photograph so beautifully.

Star ⭐️ Rate this Salisbury steak meatballs recipe and tell us what you served them over!

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