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Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs

This easy recipe creates deep, rich flavors without the extra effort.

Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • ½ lb ground pork (or use all beef)
  • ½ cup bread crumbs
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

For the French Onion Sauce:

  • 2 large onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar (to help caramelize the onions)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon thyme
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar (optional, for depth of flavor)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (to thicken)
  • 1 ½ cups grated Gruyère cheese (or Swiss/Mozzarella)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Caramelize the Onions

  • In a large skillet, melt butter and olive oil over medium heat.
  • Add sliced onions, sprinkle with brown sugar, and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally until deep golden brown.
  • Stir in garlic and thyme, cook for 1 minute, then transfer onions to the slow cooker.

2. Make the Meatballs

  • In a bowl, mix ground beef, ground pork, bread crumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
  • Roll into 1 ½-inch meatballs (about 20 meatballs).
  • Brown them in a skillet with a little olive oil for 2-3 minutes per side (optional but adds extra flavor!).

3. Slow Cook Everything Together

  • Add browned meatballs to the slow cooker with the onions.
  • Pour in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and balsamic vinegar.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours.

4. Thicken the Sauce & Add Cheese

  • In the last 30 minutes, mix cornstarch with water and stir it into the slow cooker to thicken the broth.
  • Sprinkle Gruyère cheese over the top and cover until melted.

5. Serve & Enjoy!

  • Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
  • Pair with crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or over egg noodles!

Notes

Tips for the Best French Onion Meatballs

✅ Caramelize the onions well – They add the best deep, rich flavor.
✅ Use a mix of ground meats – Beef + pork = super juicy meatballs.
✅ Brown the meatballs first – It locks in flavor and prevents them from falling apart.
✅ For extra cheesy goodness – Broil with cheese for 2 minutes before serving.
✅ Let the slow cooker do the work – The longer it simmers, the better the flavors!

  • Author: niold.com