Description
This Salisbury Steak Meatballs recipe features tender, flavorful meatballs made from lean ground beef, pan-fried to a golden brown and smothered in a rich, savory onion gravy. Perfect as a comforting main dish, these meatballs combine tangy ketchup and coarse grain mustard in the meat mixture with a hearty, homemade gravy enhanced by Worcestershire sauce and fresh parsley garnish.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1½ pounds lean ground beef
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (Panko recommended)
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup coarse grain mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
For Cooking Meatballs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Gravy
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or cornstarch as an alternative)
- 1 cup beef broth (low or no sodium)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon seasoning salt
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, ketchup, coarse grain mustard, Worcestershire sauce, seasoning salt, black pepper, and onion powder. Mix thoroughly by hand until ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Shape Meatballs: Form the mixture into approximately 30 evenly sized meatballs, each about 1 inch in diameter.
- Fry Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add meatballs in a single layer; if the skillet is not large enough, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook the meatballs, turning frequently until browned on all sides. Remove meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Onions: Using the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they become soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Make Gravy: Sprinkle the flour evenly over the onions and stir well. Cook for about 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste. If using cornstarch instead of flour, prepare a slurry by mixing cornstarch with an equal amount of water and add it later with the broth.
- Add Broth and Seasoning: Gradually stir in the beef broth along with Worcestershire sauce, seasoning salt, and ketchup. Stir continuously and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken. If the gravy is too thick, add extra broth as needed.
- Combine Meatballs and Gravy: Return the browned meatballs to the skillet with the gravy. Spoon sauce over the meatballs and simmer briefly to heat through and meld flavors.
- Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy warm as a hearty entrée.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to minimize grease and avoid overly oily meatballs.
- Panko breadcrumbs add a lighter texture, but regular breadcrumbs can be substituted.
- If you prefer a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch in the gravy.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the pan when frying meatballs to ensure even browning.
- Adjust seasoning in the gravy to taste; additional Worcestershire sauce or ketchup can be added if desired.
- Leftover meatballs and gravy store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stovetop.