Salisbury Steak Meatballs are a beloved comfort food favorite that brings together the savory flavors of ground beef, rich gravy, and creamy sour cream. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for family dinners, cozy weeknights, or anytime you crave a hearty, satisfying meal. With just a few simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can enjoy the comforting taste of Salisbury steak in meatball form.
Table of Contents
Understanding the Key Ingredients
The Salisbury Steak Meatballs recipe relies on a handful of key ingredients that work together to create the perfect texture and flavor. Let’s dive into the importance of each component:
Ground Beef
The foundation of this dish is ground beef, specifically an 80/20 blend. The higher fat content helps keep the meatballs juicy and flavorful, providing that classic Salisbury steak experience.
Breadcrumbs
Breadcrumbs act as a binder, helping to hold the meatballs together and adding a pleasant texture to the final dish.
Onions
Finely chopped onions contribute a savory depth of flavor to the meatballs, complementing the beef perfectly.
Eggs
Eggs serve as a natural binder, ensuring the meatball mixture holds its shape during cooking.
Beef Broth and Worcestershire Sauce
These two ingredients come together to create the rich, umami-forward gravy that coats the meatballs, providing the signature Salisbury steak taste.
Sour Cream
The addition of sour cream adds a creamy, tangy element to the gravy, rounding out the flavors.
Seasoning
A simple seasoning of salt and pepper enhances the natural flavors of the dish.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Salisbury Steak Meatballs
Make the Meatball Mixture
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix the ingredients until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
Form Meatballs
Roll the meatball mixture into approximately 1½-inch sized balls and place them on a plate, ready for cooking.
Brown the Meatballs
Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a little oil. Add the meatballs in batches and sear them until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the browned meatballs and set them aside.
Prepare the Gravy
In the same skillet, add the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to loosen any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, then bring the mixture to a simmer.
Finish Cooking
Return the seared meatballs to the skillet, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meatballs are cooked through.
Add Creaminess
Stir in the sour cream and simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to become rich and creamy.
Serve
Serve the Salisbury Steak Meatballs hot, over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice, with the extra gravy spooned over the top for the ultimate comfort food experience.
Tips for Perfect Salisbury Steak Meatballs
To ensure your Salisbury Steak Meatballs turn out perfectly every time, consider these helpful tips:
- Avoid overmixing the meatball mixture, as this can result in tough, dense meatballs. Gently mix the ingredients until just combined.
- Take the time to properly brown the meatballs on all sides before simmering in the gravy. This step adds a delicious caramelized flavor and helps the meatballs hold their shape.
- Adjust the seasoning to your taste, adding more salt and pepper as needed to enhance the overall flavor.
- For a creamier gravy, feel free to add a bit more sour cream to the sauce towards the end of cooking.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
Salisbury Steak Meatballs are a versatile dish that pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Some delicious options include:
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Buttery egg noodles
- Fluffy white rice
- Roasted or steamed vegetables, such as green beans, broccoli, or carrots
The rich, savory gravy complements these side dishes perfectly, creating a truly comforting and satisfying meal.
Storing and Reheating Salisbury Steak Meatballs
Leftover Salisbury Steak Meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply place the meatballs and gravy in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave, adding a splash of beef broth or water to the gravy to prevent it from drying out.
FAQs about Salisbury Steak Meatballs
Is Salisbury steak healthy to eat?
Salisbury steak can be part of a healthy, balanced diet when consumed in moderation. The dish is a good source of protein from the ground beef, but it is also higher in fat and calories due to the beef and gravy. To make it healthier, you can use leaner ground beef, reduce the amount of gravy, and serve it with nutritious side dishes like roasted vegetables.
What are Salisbury steak meatballs?
Salisbury steak meatballs are a variation of the classic Salisbury steak dish, where the ground beef is formed into meatballs instead of a steak patty. The meatballs are then simmered in a rich, creamy gravy, just like traditional Salisbury steak.
What makes meatballs hold together?
There are a few key ingredients that help meatballs hold together:
- Breadcrumbs – The breadcrumbs act as a binder, helping to hold the meatball mixture together.
- Eggs – Eggs also serve as a natural binder, coagulating and setting as the meatballs cook.
- Mixing technique – Gently mixing the ingredients, without overworking the meat, ensures the meatballs maintain their shape and structure.
What is special about Salisbury steak?
Salisbury steak is a dish that originated in the 19th century and was named after American physician James Henry Salisbury, who promoted a diet focused on ground beef. What makes Salisbury steak unique is the savory, rich gravy that it is cooked in, which features flavors like Worcestershire sauce, onions, and beef broth. This gravy-smothered beef patty dish has become a beloved classic American comfort food.
More Related Recipes You Might Enjoy
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bacon Stuffed Shells
- BBQ Bacon Mac and Cheese Skillet
- Cheesy Bacon Ranch Chicken Stuffed Peppers
- Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf
Conclusion
Salisbury Steak Meatballs are a comforting and delicious dish that brings the classic flavors of Salisbury steak into a bite-sized, easy-to-prepare format. With their juicy texture, savory gravy, and creamy finish, these meatballs are sure to become a new family favorite. Give this recipe a try and enjoy the ultimate comfort food experience at home.
Craving even more magical meals? Browse Amelia’s Pinterest boards for quick dinners, cozy bakes, and tons of flavorful inspiration.
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Irresistible Salisbury Steak Meatballs with Creamy Gravy Recipe
- Total Time: 45
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Hobo foil packets are a beloved outdoor cooking method that offers easy-to-assemble, all-in-one meals perfect for camping trips, backyard barbecues, or quick weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 package (14 oz) smoked sausage
- 3 cups thinly sliced Yukon gold potatoes
- 2 cups thinly sliced carrots (3–4 large)
- 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon each: Italian seasoning, dried basil, dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (cut into tablespoons)
Instructions
1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat or your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large mixing bowl, add the sliced potatoes, carrots, and onions. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle the Italian seasoning, dried basil, dried parsley, garlic powder, paprika, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Toss the vegetables until they are well coated with the seasonings.
3. Cut four large sheets of heavy-duty foil. Evenly distribute the seasoned vegetable mixture onto the center of each foil sheet. Slice the smoked sausage and place it over the vegetables. Top each packet with 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter.
4. Fold the foil over the mixture, sealing the edges tightly to form a packet. This will trap the steam and ensure your Hobo Foil Packets cook evenly.
5. Place the sealed foil packets on the preheated grill or on a baking sheet in the oven. Cook for 25-30 minutes, turning the packets halfway through if grilling, until the potatoes and carrots are tender and everything is cooked through.
6. Carefully open the foil packets (watch out for the hot steam!) and serve your delicious Hobo Foil Packets hot.
Notes
To ensure your Hobo Foil Packets turn out perfectly every time, here are a few helpful tips:
– Choose a variety of vegetables that will cook at similar rates, such as potatoes, carrots, onions, and bell peppers. Avoid adding delicate greens or herbs until the end.
– Feel free to experiment with different spice blends, herbs, or even marinades to suit your personal taste preferences.
– Make sure to seal the foil packets tightly to lock in the flavors and prevent leakage during cooking.
– Adjust the cooking time as needed, depending on the size and thickness of your ingredients. Larger or denser items may require a few extra minutes.
– Hobo Foil Packets pair wonderfully with grilled or roasted vegetables, fresh salads, crusty bread, or your favorite dipping sauces.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 400
- Calories: 2
- Sugar: 600
- Sodium: 35
- Fat: 150
- Saturated Fat: 20
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Fiber: 25
- Protein: undefined
- Cholesterol: 60