Tender Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs (Print Version)
Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs: Tender, savory, slow-cooked. Your go-to easy weeknight meal or party hit that everyone will adore.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 4 Hours minutes
Total Time: 29 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: French-American Fusion
Dietary: Contains Meat, Dairy, Gluten (can be made gluten-free)
# Ingredients:
→ Meatball Base
01 -
1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 preferred)
02 -
1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
03 -
1 large egg
04 -
1/2 tsp salt
05 -
1/4 tsp black pepper
→ French Onion Flavor Boosters
06 -
2 tbsp olive oil (divided)
07 -
3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
08 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
09 -
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, chopped
10 -
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
→ Sauce Essentials
11 -
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
12 -
3 cups low sodium beef broth
13 -
1/2 cup dry red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, optional, or use more beef broth)
→ Finishing Touches
14 -
1 cup Gruyere cheese, freshly grated
15 -
Fresh thyme sprigs, for garnish
# Instructions:
01 -
In a large bowl, gently mix the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, a pinch of salt, and a good crack of black pepper. Don't overmix, hon, that's how you get tough meatballs! I usually just use my hands; it feels more intuitive. Form them into about 1.5-inch balls. I sometimes get a little messy here, with bits of beef clinging to my fingers – it’s all part of the process, right? You should feel them just come together, not compacted.
02 -
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a little olive oil. Once shimmering, carefully place the meatballs in a single layer, working in batches if needed, making sure not to crowd the pan. Sear them until beautifully browned on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. This step is non-negotiable for that deep, savory crust! The kitchen will start to smell amazing already, a hint of the deliciousness to come. Remove them and set aside.
03 -
In the same skillet (don't clean it, those browned bits are flavor!), add a bit more olive oil if needed, then toss in your thinly sliced yellow onions. Reduce the heat to medium-low. This is where patience is your friend, to be real. Stir occasionally, letting them slowly soften and turn a gorgeous golden-brown, about 20-25 minutes. They should smell sweet and deeply aromatic, filling your kitchen with that classic French onion scent.
04 -
Once the onions are perfectly caramelized, stir in the minced garlic and fresh thyme for about a minute until fragrant. Then, sprinkle in the flour and cook for another minute, stirring constantly. Pour in the beef broth and red wine (if using), scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan – this is pure flavor, honestly! Bring it to a gentle simmer, letting the sauce thicken slightly.
05 -
Carefully transfer the seared meatballs and the luscious French onion sauce to your slow cooker. Give it a gentle stir to make sure the meatballs are nestled in the sauce. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the meatballs are tender and cooked through, and the sauce has deepened in flavor. I always peek in around the 3-hour mark on low, just to check on my little meatball buddies.
06 -
Once cooking time is up, give the sauce another taste and adjust seasonings if needed. I sometimes add a touch more salt or pepper here. To serve, ladle the Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs into bowls, then generously sprinkle with freshly grated Gruyere cheese and a final flourish of fresh thyme. Watch that cheese melt and get all gooey – it's pure comfort, I promise!
# Notes:
01 -
Don't rush the onion caramelization; it's the heart of the French onion flavor.
02 -
Always sear your meatballs first for a better texture and deeper flavor.
03 -
Low-sodium broth is your friend so you can control the seasoning yourself.
04 -
For an extra rich sauce, whisk in a tablespoon of butter or a splash of heavy cream at the very end.
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
Large skillet
02 -
Slow cooker (6-quart or larger)
03 -
Whisk
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 450
Total Fat: 25g
Total Carbohydrate: 30g
Protein: 30g