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Salisbury Steak Meatballs with Mushroom Gravy Recipe

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3.8 from 11 reviews

Salisbury Steak Meatballs offer a hearty and comforting twist on classic Salisbury steak, combining lean ground beef and turkey with mushrooms and a savory tomato-based gravy. This versatile recipe can be prepared on the stovetop, in an Instant Pot, or slow cooker, making it a convenient and flavorful meal perfect for any night of the week.

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
  • 1/2 cup minced onion
  • 1/2 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/2 pound lean ground turkey
  • 1/3 cup whole wheat seasoned breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste (divided)
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Pinch of black pepper
  • About 1 ounce sliced mushrooms, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup reduced-sodium beef broth

Gravy

  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup reduced-sodium beef broth
  • Remaining 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 5 ounces sliced mushrooms
  • Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Mushrooms: Finely chop about 1 ounce of the mushrooms and set them aside for mixing into the meatball mixture.
  2. Sauté Onions: Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in the Instant Pot using the Sauté function or in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the minced onions for 4 to 5 minutes until they are softened and lightly golden. Remove from heat and divide the cooked onions in half.
  3. Make Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine half of the cooked onions with ground beef, ground turkey, chopped mushrooms, whole wheat breadcrumbs, beaten egg, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1/4 cup beef broth, 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Gently mix the ingredients until just combined to avoid overworking the meat.
  4. Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into approximately 20 meatballs, evenly sized for consistent cooking.
  5. Prepare Gravy Base: In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and the remaining 1 cup of beef broth until smooth to prevent lumps in the gravy. Stir in the remaining cooked onions, remaining tablespoon of tomato paste, soy sauce, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, and mustard powder to create a flavorful gravy mixture.
  6. Cook Meatballs (Choose Method):
    • Stovetop: Heat the remaining teaspoon of olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs in batches for about 2 minutes on each side until golden. Add the sliced mushrooms, season lightly with salt and pepper, then pour the prepared gravy over the meatballs. Cover and simmer on low heat for about 25 minutes or until the meatballs are fully cooked through.
    • Instant Pot: Using the Instant Pot on the Sauté setting, heat remaining teaspoon of olive oil. Brown the meatballs in batches for around 2 minutes per side. Add the sliced mushrooms and season lightly with salt and pepper. Pour the gravy over the meatballs, lock the lid, and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Perform a quick release or allow a natural release before opening.
    • Slow Cooker: Brown the meatballs in a skillet with the remaining teaspoon of olive oil. Transfer them to the slow cooker, add the sliced mushrooms, then pour the gravy over the meatballs. Cover and cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours until the meatballs are tender and fully cooked.
  7. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve hot for a comforting and satisfying meal.

Notes

  • For best results, do not overmix the meatball mixture to maintain tender meatballs.
  • You can substitute ground turkey with all beef if preferred, keeping the same quantity.
  • The grated mushrooms in the meatballs add moisture and a umami depth, so don’t skip them.
  • If you want a thicker gravy, let it simmer a little longer uncovered on stovetop or use less broth initially.
  • Serve these meatballs with mashed potatoes, rice, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
  • Make sure to brown meatballs well before slow cooking to develop richer flavor.