Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs
These Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs are tender, flavorful, and smothered in a rich onion gravy. Perfect for a comforting meal, they pair beautifully with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread.
Equipment
- 1 slow cooker
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 baking sheet
- 1 sauté pan (optional)
- 1 set measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 3 cups beef broth
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese for serving, optional
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are combined.
- Shape the mixture into meatballs, approximately 1-inch in size.
- Optional: For a richer flavor, heat a sauté pan over medium heat and brown the meatballs for 2-3 minutes on each side.
- Place the sliced onions at the bottom of the slow cooker. Layer the meatballs on top of the onions.
- In a separate bowl, combine the beef broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and sugar. Pour the mixture over the meatballs in the slow cooker.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6 hours, or until the meatballs are cooked through and tender.
- Once cooked, if desired, sprinkle shredded Gruyère cheese over the meatballs and let it melt for an additional 10 minutes with the lid on.
- Serve warm with the cooked onions and gravy, alongside your choice of sides.
Notes
For extra depth of flavor, consider adding a splash of red wine to the broth mixture.
These meatballs can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Just reheat gently in the slow cooker before serving.