French Onion Meatballs Recipe
French Onion Meatballs are a savory and comforting dish featuring tender meatballs simmered in a rich French onion-style gravy with caramelized onions, herbs, and melted Gruyere cheese. This slow-cooked recipe combines traditional French onion soup flavors with hearty meatballs, perfect for serving over rice or mashed potatoes for a satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours (high) or 6 hours (low) plus 10 minutes for melting cheese
- Total Time: 3 hours 25 minutes (high) or 6 hours 25 minutes (low)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: French-American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs and Onions
- 2 medium yellow onions, sliced
- 26 ounces frozen meatballs
Sauce
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 ounce package brown gravy mix
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
Topping
- 1½ cups Gruyere cheese, grated
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Place the sliced onions at the bottom of a 6-quart crock pot. Then arrange the frozen meatballs evenly on top of the onions to create a flavorful base for the dish.
- Mix and add sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the low-sodium beef broth, brown gravy mix, minced garlic, black pepper, dried thyme, and white wine vinegar until fully combined. Pour this mixture evenly over the meatballs in the crock pot.
- Slow cook the meatballs: Cover the crock pot with the lid and cook on high for 2½ to 3½ hours or on low for 5 to 6 hours. This slow cooking allows the flavors to meld well and the onions to become tender and caramelized.
- Thicken the gravy and add cheese: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Pour this slurry over the meatballs and mix gently to incorporate. Then sprinkle the grated Gruyere cheese on top. Cover and cook for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Serve and enjoy: Spoon the French Onion Meatballs over a bed of rice or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious gravy. Serve warm and enjoy this hearty, comforting meal.
Notes
- If you prefer a thicker gravy, you can add a bit more cornstarch slurry gradually until the desired consistency is reached.
- For added depth of flavor, caramelize the onions in a skillet before placing them in the crock pot.
- Substitute beef broth with vegetable broth for a lighter version, although the flavor will be less rich.
- Gruyere can be swapped with Swiss cheese if unavailable, preserving a similar melt and taste.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Keywords: French onion meatballs, slow cooker meatballs, crock pot recipe, beef meatballs, comfort food, Gruyere cheese, brown gravy, easy dinner
Find it online: https://liamjayne.com/french-onion-meatballs-recipe/
