Irresistible Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs Recipe

Crafting a delectable slow cooker french onion meatballs dish promises pure comfort on chilly evenings.

Savory aromas will soon fill your kitchen with irresistible warmth.

Tender beef blends perfectly with rich caramelized onion flavors that melt in your mouth.

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

Juicy meatballs swimming in a silky, deep-brown sauce create an elegant yet approachable dinner option.

Simplicity meets gourmet elegance in this hearty recipe that transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Grab a fork and prepare to be amazed by these mouthwatering meatballs that’ll become your new favorite weeknight meal.

Why Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs Are So Cozy And Flavorful

• Craft Culinary Complexity: Master a sophisticated dish that blends multiple cooking techniques like caramelizing onions, creating a meat blend, and slow-cooking for deep, rich flavors.
• Transform Weeknight Dining: Elevate simple meatballs into a gourmet experience with minimal hands-on preparation, perfect for busy home cooks seeking restaurant-quality meals.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Indulge in a decadent combination of gruyère and mozzarella that melts luxuriously over tender, herb-infused meatballs, creating an irresistible comfort food.
• Customize Your Comfort: Adaptable recipe allows for personal touches like adjusting herb blends or cheese selections, making it a versatile go-to meal for different taste preferences.

Ingredients For Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs

• Ground Beef: A flavorful base that provides richness and depth to the meatballs.
• Ground Pork: Adds moisture and enhances the overall taste and texture of the meatballs.
• Egg: Helps bind the meat mixture together and ensures meatballs hold their shape.

• Yellow Onions: Caramelized to create a sweet and complex flavor foundation for the dish.
• Garlic: Adds a pungent and aromatic element to the meatball mixture.
• Dried Thyme, Dried Rosemary: Provide herbal notes and complementary flavors to the meats.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste profile.

• Beef Broth: Creates a rich and savory braising liquid for the meatballs.
• Red Wine: Adds depth and complexity to the cooking liquid.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Contributes a tangy and umami flavor to the dish.
• Tomato Paste: Provides a concentrated tomato base and helps thicken the sauce.
• Breadcrumbs: Helps bind the meat mixture and adds a light texture to the meatballs.
• Gruyère Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully over the meatballs, adding creaminess and richness.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the onions and preventing sticking.
• Fresh Parsley: Offers a bright, fresh garnish to finish the dish.

How To Cook Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs

Step 1: Slice Onions with Precision

Carefully slice yellow onions into delicate, thin rings that will cook evenly and caramelize beautifully in the slow cooker.

Step 2: Caramelize Onions to Golden Perfection

Heat olive oil in a skillet and slowly sauté onions over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally, allowing onions to transform into a rich, golden brown color over 20-25 minutes.

Step 3: Prepare Garlic

Finely mince garlic, setting it aside for the upcoming meatball preparation.

Step 4: Create Meat Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, blend ground beef and ground pork to develop a complex and flavorful meat base.

Step 5: Add Binding and Seasoning

• Breadcrumbs
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Dried thyme
• Dried rosemary

Gently mix the ingredients to maintain a light texture.

Step 6: Shape Meatballs

Form the meat mixture into uniform meatballs, approximately the size of golf balls, ensuring consistent cooking.

Step 7: Layer Caramelized Onions

Spread the golden caramelized onions across the bottom of the slow cooker, creating a flavorful foundation.

Step 8: Arrange Meatballs

Carefully place meatballs over the onion layer, leaving enough space between them to cook evenly.

Step 9: Craft Braising Liquid

• Beef broth
• Red wine
• Worcestershire sauce
• Tomato paste

Step 10: Pour Liquid Over Meatballs

Evenly distribute the braising liquid over the meatballs and onions in the slow cooker.

Step 11: Slow Cook to Tenderness

Cover and cook on low temperature for 6-7 hours, allowing flavors to develop and meatballs to become incredibly tender.

Step 12: Add Cheesy Topping

• Gruyère cheese
• Mozzarella cheese

over the meatballs.

Step 13: Finish Cooking

Once the cheese is melted and bubbly, turn off the slow cooker.

Step 14: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the meatballs for a bright, fresh finish before serving.

Tips To Make Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs Better

• Slice Onions Precisely: Create uniform, thin rings to guarantee even caramelization and consistent flavor throughout the dish.
• Choose Meat Blend Wisely: Combine ground beef and pork for a richer, more complex taste that elevates the meatball texture and depth.
• Control Mixing Technique: Gently incorporate ingredients to prevent dense meatballs, ensuring a light, tender final result.
• Master Slow Cooking Timing: Cook on low for 6-7 hours to allow flavors to develop fully and meatballs to become perfectly tender and juicy.
• Cheese Melting Magic: Add gruyère and mozzarella during the final 30 minutes of cooking to create a luxurious, golden-brown cheese topping that adds richness and visual appeal.

Flavor Twists For Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs

• Gluten-Free Meatball Marvel: Replace breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free panko for celiac-friendly option, maintaining the same tender meatball texture and rich flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Swap dried herbs with fresh oregano, mint, and za'atar, creating a Middle Eastern-inspired variation with bright, zesty undertones.
• Spicy Protein Power: Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef and pork, adding red pepper flakes and smoked paprika for a leaner, spicier version that still delivers robust taste.
• Plant-Based Transformation: Substitute meat with lentil and mushroom blend, incorporating nutritional yeast and plant-based cheese for a vegetarian adaptation that respects the original recipe's depth of flavor.

Perfect Pairings For Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs

• Pair Savory Slow Cooker Meatballs with Robust Red Wine: Opt for a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon that complements the rich, meaty flavors and cuts through the cheese's creaminess.
• Serve Alongside Creamy Polenta: Create a smooth, buttery polenta base that absorbs the delicious braising liquid and provides a perfect textural contrast to the tender meatballs.
• Match with Fresh Herb Salad: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to add brightness and cut through the dish's richness, balancing the hearty meatball flavors.
• Complement with Crusty Sourdough Bread: Select a rustic, crusty bread perfect for soaking up the flavorful sauce and providing a delightful textural element to the meal.

Storage Tips For Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs

• Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Carefully transfer cooled meatballs and sauce to freezer-safe containers, ensuring they're completely covered by liquid to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Place meatballs in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of broth to prevent drying, cover with a microwave-safe lid, and heat in 30-second intervals until thoroughly warmed.

FAQs About Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs

• Why use both ground beef and ground pork?

The combination creates a more complex flavor profile and juicier meatballs, with beef providing robust taste and pork adding tenderness.

• Can I substitute the cheeses?

While gruyère and mozzarella offer unique melting qualities, you can use provolone or swiss cheese as alternative options with similar melting characteristics.

• How do I know the meatballs are fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 160°F, which indicates safe and proper doneness for ground meat.

• Is it necessary to caramelize onions beforehand?

Yes, pre-caramelizing onions develops deeper, sweeter flavors that enhance the overall dish’s taste complexity and richness.

Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes – 7 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Savory slow cooker French onion meatballs bring classic French comfort to your dinner table, melding rich caramelized onion flavors with tender, juicy meatballs. Cheese-topped and simmering in a luscious broth, these meatballs will transport you straight to a charming Parisian bistro.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 0.5 lbs ground pork
• 1 large egg

Onion and Aromatics:

• 3 large yellow onions
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Seasoning and Binding:

• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary

Liquid and Sauce:

• 2 cups beef broth
• 0.5 cup red wine
• 2 tbsp worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp tomato paste

Cheese Topping:

• 1 cup gruyère cheese
• 0.5 cup mozzarella cheese

Garnish:

• 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Slice yellow onions into thin, uniform rings, ensuring even cooking and caramelization in the slow cooker.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet and gently sauté onions over medium-low heat until deeply golden and soft, approximately 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Mince garlic finely and set aside while preparing meatball mixture.
4. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef and ground pork, creating a harmonious blend of meats for enhanced flavor and texture.
5. Crack the egg into the meat mixture, then incorporate breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and dried rosemary, mixing thoroughly but gently to prevent dense meatballs.
6. Form the meat mixture into uniform, golf ball-sized meatballs, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
7. Layer caramelized onions across the bottom of the slow cooker, creating a flavorful base.
8. Arrange meatballs carefully over the onion layer, avoiding overcrowding.
9. Whisk together beef broth, red wine, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste to create a rich, complex braising liquid.
10. Pour the liquid mixture evenly over meatballs and onions in the slow cooker.
11. Cover and cook on low temperature for 6-7 hours, allowing flavors to meld and meatballs to become tender.
12. During the final 30 minutes of cooking, sprinkle gruyère and mozzarella cheeses over the meatballs.
13. Once cheese is melted and bubbly, turn off the slow cooker.
14. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving for a vibrant, aromatic finish.

Notes

• Caramelize onions slowly to develop deep, sweet flavor without burning, watching heat carefully and stirring periodically.
• Use a mixture of ground meats for richer taste and more tender meatballs, balancing fat content for juiciness.
• Choose low-moisture mozzarella to prevent watery sauce and ensure creamy cheese coverage on meatballs.
• Create gluten-free version by substituting breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free panko for binding meatballs.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 6-7 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg