Get ready for a delightful twist on a classic comfort food! These Salisbury Steak Meatballs with Mushroom Gravybring all the savory, rich flavors of traditional Salisbury steak into convenient, bite-sized meatballs, smothered in a luscious mushroom gravy. It’s an incredibly satisfying and flavorful meal that’s surprisingly easy to make and perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner or a comforting family gathering.
Why I Love This Recipe
This Salisbury Steak Meatballs with Mushroom Gravy recipe is a true kitchen gem, and I absolutely adore it! What I love most is how it takes the beloved classic and makes it even more accessible and fun to eat in meatball form. The meatballsthemselves are perfectly seasoned, juicy, and tender, thanks to the blend of ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, and Worcestershire. But the real star is that rich, savory mushroom gravy, made directly in the same skillet to capture all those delicious browned bits. The simple roux creates a thick, velvety sauce that envelops the tender meatballs and earthy mushrooms. It’s a complete meal that feels gourmet, yet comes together with ease, making it a fantastic, fuss-free option for any busy evening. The extra addition of celery, green pepper, and fresh garlic in the gravy, as suggested by my note, truly elevates the depth of flavor!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create these delicious Salisbury Steak Meatballs with Mushroom Gravy:
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef (lean recommended)
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Panko)
- 1/4 cup milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Mushroom Gravy:
- 2 tbsp olive oil (from cooking meatballs, or added)
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced (cremini or button)
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup water
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 small stalk celery, minced; 1/4 green bell pepper, minced; 1-2 cloves fresh garlic, minced (as per recipe note)
Swaps and Notes
- Ground Beef: Lean ground beef is recommended for the meatballs. You can also use a mix of ground beef and pork.
- Breadcrumbs: Plain or Panko breadcrumbs work well as a binder.
- Milk (Meatballs): Whole or 2% milk adds moisture and tenderness to the meatballs.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Essential for that classic savory, umami flavor in Salisbury steak.
- Onion & Garlic (Meatballs): Finely chopping these ensures they blend well into the meatballs.
- Mushrooms (Gravy): Cremini (baby bellas) or white button mushrooms add essential earthy flavor and texture to the gravy.
- Beef Broth & Water (Gravy): Combine to form the liquid base for the gravy.
- Flour (Gravy): Used to create a roux, which thickens the gravy.
- Optional Gravy Veggies: Adding a little celery, green pepper, and fresh garlic (as per note) will significantly enhance the depth and complexity of your gravy, making it even more robust. Sauté them briefly with the mushrooms.
Instructions
Let’s get these delicious Salisbury Steak Meatballs with Mushroom Gravy cooking!
- Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, mix together the 1 lb ground beef, 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup milk, 1 large egg, 1/2 finely chopped onion, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, and salt and pepper to taste. Use your hands to combine thoroughly, but do not over-mix, as this can make the meatballs tough. Shape the mixture into uniform 1-inch diameter meatballs (should yield about 20-24 meatballs).
- Cook the Meatballs: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet (a 12-inch skillet or Dutch oven works well) over medium-high heat until hot. Add the meatballs to the pan and brown them on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, which can steam them. Once browned, remove the meatballs from the skillet and set them aside on a plate.
- Make the Mushroom Gravy Base:
- In the same skillet (don’t clean it, those browned bits are flavor!), add the 8 oz sliced mushrooms. Cook until they become tender and browned, roughly 5 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- (Optional addition from Note): If adding celery, green pepper, and fresh garlic, add the minced 1 small stalk celery and 1/4 green bell pepper with the mushrooms, and the minced 1-2 cloves fresh garlic during the last minute of cooking the mushrooms. Sauté until tender.
- Sprinkle the 1/4 cup all-purpose flour over the mushrooms (and optional veggies). Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste and form a roux.
- Create the Gravy Sauce: Gradually pour in the 2 cups beef broth and 1/2 cup water while stirring continuously with a whisk or wooden spoon to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer, allowing it to thicken into a rich gravy consistency.
- Combine and Simmer: Return the browned meatballs to the skillet with the mushroom gravy. Stir gently to nestle them into the sauce. Cover the skillet and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked through (internal temperature of 160°F / 71°C for ground beef) and have absorbed the flavors of the gravy.
- Season and Serve: Taste the gravy and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Serve the Salisbury steak meatballs with the mushroom gravy generously over creamy mashed potatoes, steamed white rice, or cooked egg noodles for a comforting and hearty meal.
Tips for Success
- Don’t Overmix Meatballs: Mix just until combined to ensure tender, not tough, meatballs.
- Sear for Flavor: Browning the meatballs before adding them to the gravy builds essential savory depth.
- Whisk Gravy Smoothly: When adding flour and liquid, whisk constantly to prevent lumps.
- Low Heat for Gravy: Maintain a gentle simmer once liquid is added to prevent scorching or curdling.
- Optional Veggies Elevate: Adding the suggested celery, green pepper, and extra garlic (from the note) to the gravy base truly enhances the flavor profile.
- Resting Not Required: Because the meatballs simmer in the gravy, they remain juicy, so a separate resting period isn’t needed.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
These Salisbury Steak Meatballs with Mushroom Gravy are a complete and incredibly satisfying meal, and they pair wonderfully with:
- Mashed Potatoes: The classic pairing, perfect for soaking up the rich gravy.
- Steamed Rice: A simple bed of white or brown rice.
- Egg Noodles: Cooked al dente egg noodles tossed with the gravy.
- Green Beans or Asparagus: Simple steamed or roasted vegetable sides.
- Crusty Bread: To sop up every last drop of gravy.
- For other incredibly popular, crowd-pleasing meals, consider our Salisbury Steak & Potato Skillet Recipe for a similar flavor profile in one pan, or our Classic Spaghetti Recipe With Homemade Sauce.
Storage and Leftover Tips
Salisbury Steak Meatballs with Mushroom Gravy makes fantastic leftovers, often tasting even better the next day!
- Refrigeration: Store any cooled leftovers (meatballs and gravy) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The gravy will thicken considerably as it cools.
- Reheating: Reheat individual portions on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. You may need to add a splash of beef broth or water to thin the gravy back to a desirable consistency. Avoid boiling rapidly. You can also reheat in the microwave.
- Freezing: This dish freezes well. Allow it to cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3-4 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat as directed above.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you loved the hearty, comforting, and deeply flavorful nature of this meatball dish, you’ll definitely want to explore some of our other fantastic, fuss-free recipes that bring warmth and satisfaction to your table:
- For another crowd-pleasing casserole, check out our This Mexican Chicken And Rice Casserole Is My Favorite One-Pan Dinner That’s Always A Hit.
- If you’re a fan of satisfying casseroles, our This Dorito Casserole Is My Favorite Weeknight Dinner Shortcut is a fun winner.
- And for a hearty pasta bake made simple, our This Instant Pot Lasagna Is My Favorite Way To Make Comfort Food Fast is a fantastic time-saver.
- For another take on Southern comfort, try These Easy Turkey Wings Are My Favorite Comfort Food For Lazy Sundays.
Final Thoughts
This Salisbury Steak Meatballs with Mushroom Gravy recipe is a brilliant solution for bringing a truly comforting, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying meal to your table with ease. It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner, promising a skillet full of rich, savory, and hearty goodness that will make everyone happy!
Give this recipe a try and let the delicious aromas fill your kitchen! What’s your favorite meatball dish that’s perfect for a weeknight? Share your ideas and feedback in the comments below!
Leave a Reply