Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak

Instructions:

1. Shape the ground beef into thick patties or large meatballs.
2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and lightly brown the patties on both sides. This step is optional but adds extra flavor.
3. Place the sliced onions evenly in the bottom of the slow cooker.
4. Arrange the browned beef patties on top of the onions.
5. Sprinkle the onion soup mix evenly over the meat.
6. Pour the beef broth over everything.
7. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the patties are tender and fully cooked.
8. Serve hot over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles, spooning the onion gravy generously over the top.

Variations

• Add sliced mushrooms to the slow cooker for a classic mushroom-onion gravy.
• Mix a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce into the broth for deeper flavor.
• Use ground turkey for a lighter version.
• Shape the beef into smaller patties for quicker serving and easier portioning.

Tips

• Do not overwork the ground beef when shaping patties to keep them tender.
• Browning the patties first enhances flavor but can be skipped if short on time.
• For thicker gravy, stir in a cornstarch slurry during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• Leftovers reheat beautifully and taste even better the next day.