Sweet & Savory Crockpot French Onion Meatballs Recipe

Juicy and tender crockpot french onion meatballs dance with rich, savory flavors that will make your taste buds sing.

Caramelized onions blend seamlessly with ground beef, creating a comforting meal perfect for chilly evenings.

Aromatic herbs and spices infuse each bite with incredible depth and warmth.

Minimal prep work means maximum enjoyment for busy home cooks seeking delicious comfort food.

Slow cooking transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering dish that feels like a culinary hug.

Hearty and satisfying, these meatballs promise to become a new favorite in your recipe collection.

Let’s uncover the magic of this incredible crockpot classic that brings restaurant-quality taste straight to your dinner table.

Crockpot French Onion Meatballs Overview

• Simplify Dinner Prep: Toss ingredients into the crockpot and walk away, letting the slow cooker work its magic while you tackle other tasks or relax.
• Boost Family Comfort: Hearty meatballs swimming in rich broth create a satisfying meal that brings everyone together around the dinner table with minimal kitchen stress.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients or add cheese for a personalized touch, making this recipe adaptable to different tastes and dietary preferences without complicated techniques.
• One-Pot Wonder: Minimize cleanup with a single cooking vessel that transforms basic ingredients into a delicious, protein-packed meal that feels like a culinary achievement.

French Onion Meatballs Ingredients

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that forms the foundation of these delicious meatballs.

• French Onion Soup Mix: Provides deep, savory flavor and helps season the meatballs.
• Egg: Helps bind the meatball mixture together and adds richness.
• Breadcrumbs: Creates a tender texture and helps hold the meatballs together.

• Beef Broth: Adds moisture and enhances the meaty flavor during slow cooking.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Brings a tangy, umami depth to the meatball sauce.
• Shredded Cheese (Optional): Adds a creamy, melted topping for extra indulgence.

Preparation for Crockpot French Onion Meatballs

Step 1: Whip Up Meatball Mixture

Grab a big mixing bowl and toss in ground beef, French onion soup mix, egg, and breadcrumbs.

Use your hands to blend everything together until well combined.

Make sure the ingredients are thoroughly mixed for maximum flavor.

Step 2: Shape Perfect Morsels

Roll the meat mixture into bite-sized balls, each about 1 inch in diameter.

Keep your hands slightly damp to prevent the meat from sticking and help create smooth, uniform meatballs.

Step 3: Settle Meatballs in Crockpot

Carefully place the formed meatballs into the crockpot, arranging them in a single layer without overcrowding.

This ensures even cooking and allows each meatball to soak up the delicious flavors.

Step 4: Pour Flavor Boosters

Drizzle beef broth and Worcestershire sauce over the meatballs, making sure they’re mostly covered.

The liquid will help keep the meatballs moist and infuse them with rich, savory taste.

Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover the crockpot and set it to low heat for 6-8 hours, or high heat for 3-4 hours.

The slow cooking process will tenderize the meat and develop deep, complex flavors.

Step 6: Sprinkle Cheesy Topping

During the final 30 minutes of cooking, optional sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the meatballs.

Let the cheese melt and become gooey, adding an extra layer of deliciousness.

Step 7: Serve and Savor

Once cooking is complete, carefully transfer the meatballs to a serving dish.

Enjoy these tender, flavorful meatballs hot and fresh from the crockpot.

Tips for French Onion Meatballs

• Mix meatball ingredients the night before and refrigerate for deeper flavor infusion.
• Use ground beef with 80/20 fat content to keep meatballs moist and tender during slow cooking.
• Sprinkle cheese 15-20 minutes before serving to achieve perfect melted consistency without overcooking.
• Keep meatballs uniform at 1-inch to ensure even cooking throughout the crockpot.
• Swap breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed pork rinds for dietary needs.

Variations on French Onion Meatballs

• Vegetarian Swap: Replace ground beef with plant-based meat alternatives like Beyond Meat or lentils mixed with mushrooms for a protein-packed vegetarian version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and ensure French onion soup mix is certified gluten-free to accommodate those with wheat sensitivities.
• Lean Protein Version: Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lower-fat alternative that maintains the classic French onion flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Remix: Add crumbled feta cheese, chopped fresh herbs like oregano and parsley, and swap Worcestershire sauce with red wine for a Mediterranean-inspired adaptation.

Serving Suggestions for French Onion Meatballs

• Cozy Pasta Partner: Serve these savory meatballs over a bed of wide egg noodles or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious French onion broth.
• Cheesy Bread Delight: Pile the meatballs onto toasted crusty French bread slices, sprinkle with extra melted Swiss or Gruyère cheese for a hearty open-faced sandwich.
• Comfort Bowl Feast: Create a complete meal by adding roasted seasonal vegetables like carrots, Brussels sprouts, or green beans alongside the meatballs for a balanced and satisfying dinner.
• Game Day Appetizer: Transform these meatballs into a crowd-pleasing party snack by serving them in a chafing dish with toothpicks, perfect for casual gatherings and sports watching.

Storage Guidelines for French Onion Meatballs

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Meatballs stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Pack cooled meatballs in freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags. Label with date and contents. Freeze up to 3 months for best quality.
• Place meatballs in microwave-safe dish. Cover with damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat on 50% power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange meatballs in single layer on baking sheet. Cover with foil to retain moisture. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey works great as a leaner alternative. Just ensure it has enough fat content to keep meatballs moist.

• How fine should I chop the onions?

No need to chop onions; the French onion soup mix provides all the onion flavor you need for this recipe.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

Not automatically. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and check that your French onion soup mix doesn’t contain gluten to make it gluten-free.

• Can I freeze these meatballs?

Absolutely! Cool completely, then store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.

Crockpot French Onion Meatballs Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Savory Crockpot French Onion Meatballs blend classic French flavors with comforting slow-cooked goodness. Melted cheese and caramelized onions create a rich, irresistible dish you’ll crave time and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef

Binding Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 packet French onion soup mix
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Blend ground beef with French onion soup mix, egg, and breadcrumbs in a mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
2. Craft compact spherical meatballs approximately one inch in diameter, ensuring uniform size for consistent cooking.
3. Arrange meatballs carefully inside the crockpot, spacing them to prevent overcrowding.
4. Gently drench meatballs with beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, allowing liquid to pool around the meat.
5. Set crockpot to low temperature and cook for 6-8 hours, or alternatively use high temperature for 3-4 hours until meatballs reach internal temperature of 160°F.
6. During final 30 minutes of cooking, sprinkle shredded cheese across meatballs to create a melted, golden topping.
7. Remove meatballs from crockpot, allowing excess liquid to drain, and transfer to serving platter.
8. Garnish with fresh herbs or additional cheese if desired, and serve immediately while hot and savory.

Notes

• Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create lighter meatballs.
• Add a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar for deeper, more complex flavor profiles.
• Experiment with alternative protein options like ground turkey or plant-based alternatives for dietary flexibility.
• Prevent dry meatballs by avoiding overmixing and ensuring precise moisture balance with egg and breadcrumbs.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours (on Low) or 3 hours (on High)
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 330 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg