Description
Savory slow cooker French onion meatballs bring classic French comfort to your dinner table. Caramelized onions, rich beef broth, and perfectly seasoned meatballs create a comforting meal that will satisfy hearty appetites.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound (450 grams) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
Meatball Binders and Seasonings:
- ½ cup (50 grams) breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional)
Sauce and Aromatics:
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
- ½ teaspoon thyme (optional)
- ¼ cup (60 grams) shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese (for topping, optional)
Instructions
- Blend ground beef with breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, whisked egg, aromatic garlic and onion powders, seasonings, and finely chopped parsley in a spacious mixing vessel until ingredients are harmoniously integrated.
- Craft uniform, compact spherical morsels approximately one inch in diameter, carefully positioning each on a designated flat surface.
- Preheat a slow cooker and lightly coat its interior with culinary spray to prevent potential adherence.
- Layer caramelized onions across the cooker’s base, creating a fragrant foundation for the meatballs.
- Gently nestle prepared meatballs atop the onion stratum, ensuring they are evenly distributed without overcrowding.
- Drizzle French onion soup methodically over the meatballs, guaranteeing each piece receives adequate moisture and flavor infusion.
- Cover the slow cooker and allow contents to simmer on low temperature for approximately 4-5 hours, permitting flavors to meld and meatballs to achieve optimal tenderness.
- Once cooking duration concludes, delicately transfer meatballs to a serving platter, maintaining their structural integrity.
- Optional: Garnish with additional fresh parsley and melted Gruyère cheese for enhanced gustatory appeal.
Notes
- Ensure meat doesn’t become tough by mixing ingredients gently without overworking the ground beef, which can make meatballs dense and chewy.
- Choose lean ground beef with 80/20 fat content for optimal juiciness and flavor, preventing dry meatballs during slow cooking.
- Create uniform-sized meatballs using a small cookie scoop or ice cream scoop to guarantee consistent cooking and professional presentation.
- Line slow cooker with parchment paper or use non-stick spray to prevent sticking and simplify cleanup after cooking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg