These slow cooker Salisbury meatballs are the perfect easy dinner for busy days when you want something hearty with hardly any effort. Using frozen meatballs keeps it really simple, while the rich onion and mushroom gravy gives it all those classic comforting flavours.
It's one of those throw-it-all-in recipes that lets the slow cooker do the work for you. Serve with mashed potatoes, rice or your favourite veggies for a simple family meal that feels cosy, satisfying and so easy to make.
Calories in Slow Cooker Salisbury Meatballs
This recipe serves 4 and is 236 calories per serving.
If you're looking for more recipes within the same calorie range, you'll find an abundance of options in my dedicated collection of 500+ calorie recipes.
If you're following a calorie-controlled diet or a healthy eating plan, it's important to calculate your daily calorie needs using a reliable calorie calculator. The calorie counts provided are estimates and can vary depending on the exact ingredients and portion sizes you use. Using your own calculations helps ensure you're meeting your individual needs. A calorie calculator can help you make informed choices and stay on track with your goals.
See the recipe card for full nutritional estimation.
Ingredients Notes
To make this recipe you will need the following ingredients:
- Lean frozen beef meatballs: A great shortcut ingredient that keeps this recipe really quick and easy. Using frozen meatballs means there is no prep needed, and they soak up all that rich gravy as they cook.
- Onion: Adds extra savoury flavour and softens down beautifully in the slow cooker, giving the gravy more depth.
- Mushrooms: Perfect in a Salisbury-style dish, adding a lovely earthy flavour that works so well with the beef and gravy.
- Beef stock: Forms the base of the sauce and adds plenty of rich savoury flavour. I like to use Better Than Bouillon for convenience, and 1 teaspoon mixed with 1 cup of hot water makes a really great stock for this recipe.
- Tomato paste: Adds richness and helps give the gravy a deeper flavour without making it taste overly tomatoey.
- Worcestershire sauce: Brings that classic tangy savoury flavour that is perfect in a Salisbury gravy.
- Dark soy sauce: Adds colour and extra depth to the sauce, helping to give it that rich, dark gravy look and flavour.
- Cornstarch: Used to help thicken the sauce so it becomes a lovely rich gravy.
- Granulated sweetener: Just a small amount helps balance out the savoury flavours in the sauce.
- Onion powder: Boosts the onion flavour and adds extra savoury depth to the gravy.
- Dijon mustard: Adds a little tang and helps round out all the flavours in the sauce really nicely.
Once you've gathered all the ingredients and prepared them accordingly, you're all set to create this easy and delightful recipe.
See the recipe card for specific quantities and instructions.
Variations and Substitutes
This recipe is really easy to adapt with what you have on hand. I used lean frozen beef meatballs, but you can use any frozen meatballs you like, including chicken, turkey or pork. You can also make your own meatballs using your favourite recipe. If making homemade meatballs, I recommend browning them first before adding to the slow cooker so they hold their shape better and get a little extra flavour. There are also plenty of meatball recipes on Slimming Eats if you want to go that route.
For the mushrooms, you can leave them out if you are not a fan, or swap for extra onion if you prefer. The onion can be red, white or brown depending on what you have. If you don't have Dijon mustard, a little wholegrain or regular mustard will work instead. Worcestershire sauce adds that classic savoury flavour, but you can adjust it to taste depending on how strong you like the gravy.
If you don't use sweetener, you can leave it out, but I find a small amount helps balance the flavours nicely. For a deeper richer gravy, you can also add a little extra tomato paste or soy sauce.
Tips for Slow Cooker Salisbury Meatballs
A few simple tips will help you get the best flavour and texture from these easy slow cooker meatballs.
- Brown the meatballs first if you prefer - I don't usually bother when using frozen meatballs, which is what keeps this recipe so easy, but you can brown them first if you want a slightly firmer texture and a little extra colour. If you are making homemade meatballs, I definitely recommend browning them first so they hold together better during slow cooking.
- Slice the onion and mushrooms evenly - Keeping them a similar size helps them cook evenly and gives the gravy the best texture.
- Do not add extra liquid - The stock is enough for the sauce, and the onions and mushrooms will release extra moisture as they cook, so there is no need to add anything additional.
- Do not lift the lid unnecessarily - Every time you remove the lid, heat escapes and can slow down the cooking time. It is best to leave the slow cooker covered and let it do its thing.
- Stir the cornstarch in well - Make sure the cornstarch is mixed in properly so you end up with a smooth gravy and no lumps.
- Taste and adjust before serving - Once cooked, give the gravy a taste and adjust if needed with a little extra Worcestershire sauce, mustard, sweetener or black pepper to get the flavour just how you like it.
Side Suggestions
These slow cooker Salisbury meatballs are perfect served with something to soak up all that rich onion gravy. Mashed Potatoes or these Cheddar and Spring Onion Mashed Potatoes are probably my favourite options, but they are also great with rice, egg noodles or even some creamy Mashed cauliflower (with spring onion and soured cream) if you want to keep things lighter.
For veggies, you can keep it simple with peas, Roasted Green Beans, Buttered Irish Cabbage, broccoli or carrots. A big spoonful of the meatballs and gravy over mash with a side of greens makes such an easy and comforting meal.
Storing, Freezing and Reheating
Storing: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavours develop even more as it sits, so it's great for meal prep or an easy lunch the next day.
Freezing: You can also freeze this once cooled. Store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating: Warm in a saucepan over a medium low heat until piping hot, or microwave in portions until heated through. If the gravy has thickened too much after chilling, just stir in a splash of stock or water to loosen it up.
More Slow Cooker Recipes
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Recipe Card
Slow Cooker Salisbury Meatballs
These slow cooker Salisbury meatballs are an easy, hearty dinner made with frozen meatballs simmered in a rich onion and mushroom gravy.
Ingredients
- 350g (12.3oz) of of lean frozen beef meatballs
- 1 onion, quartered and sliced thinly
- 125g (4.4oz) of mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
- 500ml (2 cups) of beef stock (I use better than bouillon paste)
- 3 tablespoon of tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon of dark soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons of cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons of granulated sweetener
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- 2 teaspoons of dijon mustard
Instructions
- Add the meatballs, onion, mushrooms and garlic to the slow cooker
- Combine all the other ingredients and mix well, then pour into the slow cooker, covering the meatballs.
- Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours.
- Serve with your choice of sides and enjoy!
Notes
Please see below for full nutritional info and additional details about recipe:
- Calories - scroll down to nutritional info box
- WW Points and other Slimming or Weight Loss programs - due to plans regularly changing and updating, we recommend calculating with the official tools you get as a member to those plans to ensure accuracy of values.
- Dairy Free Friendly
- ❄️ Freezer Friendly - see freezing, storing and reheating section.
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Nutritional information etc are an estimate and are to be used for informational purposes only. Ingredients can vary in values from brand to brand and therefore it would be impossible to give accurate information. It is always advised that you calculate values yourself by the ingredients you use and the tools provided to you as a member of the programme you are following.
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Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1 SERVINGAmount Per Serving Calories 236Total Fat 8gSaturated Fat 4gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 58mgSodium 794mgCarbohydrates 19gFiber 3gSugar 5gProtein 25g
Nutritional information and values etc are an estimate and is to be used for informational purposes only. Ingredients can vary greatly from brand to brand and therefore it would be impossible to give accurate information. It is always advised that you calculate by the ingredients you use.
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