How to Make This Recipe
These Salisbury Steak Meatballs are easy to prepare and cook, making them a fantastic option for a quick yet hearty dinner. Here’s how to make them:
Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, seasoned breadcrumbs, brown mustard, ketchup, powdered beef base or crumbled bouillon cubes, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Use your hands or a spoon to mix everything together until the ingredients are evenly distributed, but be careful not to overwork the mixture, as this could make the meatballs tough.
Form the Meatballs: Once the mixture is well combined, use your hands to form the meat into meatballs, about 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter. This size allows for a tender, juicy meatball that cooks evenly. You should end up with approximately 18-20 meatballs, depending on the size.
Cook the Meatballs: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the salted butter. Once the butter has melted and started to bubble, carefully add the meatballs to the pan. Cook the meatballs in batches if necessary, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Brown the meatballs on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.
Finish Cooking: Once the meatballs are browned, reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the skillet and cook for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). If you prefer a more crispy exterior, you can cook them for a few extra minutes, uncovered.
Serve: Once the meatballs are cooked, remove them from the skillet and serve. You can drizzle the pan drippings over the meatballs for added flavor or serve them with a side of mashed potatoes, rice, or steamed vegetables.
Tips + Tricks & More For Recipe Success
To ensure your Salisbury Steak Meatballs come out perfectly every time, here are a few tips to consider:
Don’t Overwork the Meat: When mixing the ground beef with the seasonings, try to handle the mixture as little as possible. Overworking the meat can result in tough, dense meatballs. Just mix until everything is combined, then stop.
Use Lean Beef: While fatty ground beef can make meatballs juicier, lean beef will still yield tender results, and it makes the dish a bit lighter. If you use fatty ground beef, you may want to drain some of the excess fat after browning.
Add Some Extra Flavor: For added depth, you can stir in some garlic powder, onion powder, or a pinch of smoked paprika into the meatball mixture. Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme also work well if you want to introduce a fresh note.
Create a Gravy: If you want to elevate the dish even further, you can make a quick gravy using the drippings left in the pan. Add a little flour or cornstarch to the fat, stir in some beef broth, and let it simmer until thickened. Pour the gravy over the meatballs for a rich, savory finish.
Serving Suggestions
These Salisbury Steak Meatballs are versatile and can be paired with a variety of sides:
With Mashed Potatoes: Classic mashed potatoes are a natural pairing. The creamy potatoes complement the savory meatballs perfectly.
Over Rice: Serve the meatballs over a bed of fluffy white or brown rice for a satisfying and filling meal.
With Steamed Vegetables: Roasted or steamed vegetables, such as green beans, broccoli, or carrots, add a nice crunch and balance out the richness of the meatballs.
On a Bun: For a fun twist, serve these meatballs on a toasted bun with some melted cheese, making a Salisbury steak sandwich.