Salisbury Steak Meatballs
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These Salisbury Steak Meatballs are a comforting meal to enjoy on a weeknight. They’re gluten-free, paleo, whole30, and AIP friendly.
What is Salisbury Steak?
Salisbury steak is a homey classic that makes “steaks” from ground beef and combines it with a mushroom gravy made with mushroom, onion, broth, and ketchup! It has a distinct flavor that’s savory yet slightly sweet and tangy from the ketchup. It tastes amazing served with mashed potatoes (or sweet potatoes) and makes a hearty meal!
This version turns the classic in meatballs that are paleo, whole30, and AIP compliant. No flour is used, and the recipe features options for different compliant ingredients!
How to Make Salisbury Steak Meatballs
- Make the meatballs: Using a large bowl, mix together all of the meatball ingredients until well combined. Form into meatballs that are a uniform size. Cook for about 5 minutes in a pan on each side or until the internal temperature reaches 165 F. Set the cooked meatballs aside.
- Make the veggies & gravy: Saute the onion for 5-6 minutes or until soft, adding in the garlic at the end and sauteeing for another minute. Add the mushrooms and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until fork-tender. Pour in the broth, coconut aminos, ketchup and stir to combine. Whisk in arrowroot starch and reduce the heat, allowing to thicken for 2-3 minutes. Once the sauce thickens, add the meatballs back to the pan. Spoon the sauce over the meatballs and simmer for a few minutes to allow to reheat.
- Serve: topped with chopped parsley and over mashed sweet potato if desired.
The Ingredients
Ground Beef
You can use ground beef of your choice. I find a bit of a fattier beef can be great for meatballs!
Mushrooms
Mushrooms help add a boost of veggies as well as a lot of flavor for the sauce.
Onion & garlic
These add lots of flavor to the dish
Beef broth
This is the base of the sauce for the meatballs.
Ketchup
Ketchup gives the Salisbury steak a very distinct flavor. I’ve listed compliant options below in the recipe.
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Salisbury Steak Meatballs
Ingredients
For the meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper, omit for AIP
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp coconut aminos
- 2 tsp compliant ketchup, use this for whole30 and this for AIP, or see notes
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
For the gravy
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- ½ yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp coconut aminos
- 1 tbsp compliant ketchup
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper, omit for AIP
- 2 tsp arrowroot starch
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley, for topping
Instructions
- Using a large bowl, mix together all of the meatball ingredients until well combined. Form into meatballs that are a uniform size.
- Heat the avocado oil over medium heat in a large pan and add the meatballs. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, until browned or until the internal temperature reaches 165 F. Set the cooked meatballs aside.
- Using the same pan, add more avocado oil to the pan (if needed) and heat. Saute the onion for 5-6 minutes or until soft, adding in the garlic at the end and saute for another minute. Add the mushrooms and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until fork-tender.
- Pour in the broth, coconut aminos, ketchup, and seasonings and stir to combine.
- Whisk in arrowroot starch and reduce the heat, allowing to thicken for 2-3 minutes.
- Once the sauce thickens, add the meatballs back to the pan. Spoon the sauce over the meatballs and simmer for a few minutes to allow to reheat.
- Serve topped with chopped parsley and over mashed sweet potato if desired.
Notes
Our family really enjoys this recipe. It has become part of our regular dinner cycle. My son is super picky, but he will ask for it again and again. Thank you for posting this.
So glad your whole family enjoys!!
Loved this recipe. Definitely will make this again!
thank you!!
Slowly making my was through your recipes, and dang! This one was good! I can’t wait to try the next recipes! (Mongolian beef meatballs next week!)
Delicious!!
Thank you!!
Great recipe! I added it to my meal prep routine and it was perfect! Can we cook the meatballs in the instant pot or oven as an alternative?
Oh my goodness…these are delicious! Definitely did not disappoint! Will make again.
Michelle…Wow!! Its so delicious and im not even done cooking the dish! No for real, the marinade mixture for the meatballs (once cooked,of course) are sooo delicious….i need to slow done because I still have to make the gravy for this amazing dish and my family’s eyes will be looking for the missing meatballs …Thank you gurl!!
Thank you so, so much! Thrilled that you like it!! 🙂