Irresistible Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs Recipe
This Irresistible Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs recipe combines tender, flavorful beef meatballs with rich caramelized onions simmered in a savory broth. Slow-cooked to perfection, these meatballs are perfect for a comforting family meal or entertaining guests with minimal hands-on time.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (about 12 meatballs) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: French-American
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 large eggs
- Salt and pepper to taste
French Onion Sauce
- 2 large sweet yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Butter or oil for caramelizing onions
Instructions
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, eggs, salt, and pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated and form a uniform mixture.
- Form Meatballs: Roll the meat mixture into one-inch meatballs and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet to keep them from sticking together before cooking.
- Caramelize Onions: In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter or heat oil and add the thinly sliced onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 15-20 minutes until the onions become golden brown and caramelized, developing deep flavor.
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: Transfer caramelized onions to the slow cooker. Add low-sodium beef broth, soy sauce, dried thyme, and any remaining bits of onion left in the skillet to the slow cooker and stir to combine.
- Add Meatballs to Slow Cooker: Gently place the meatballs into the slow cooker, ensuring they are submerged within the onion and broth mixture for even cooking.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6 hours, or on high heat for 3 hours until meatballs are cooked through and tender, and flavors have melded beautifully.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce grease and create a healthier dish.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a splash of red wine to the slow cooker mixture.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the lid during the final 30 minutes of cooking to allow it to reduce.
- Serve these meatballs over egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to enjoy the rich sauce fully.
- Make sure to caramelize onions slowly to develop maximum sweetness and depth for the sauce.
Keywords: Crock Pot meatballs, French onion meatballs, slow cooker recipes, comfort food, caramelized onion meatballs, easy dinner recipes
