Description
Savory slow cooker French onion meatballs combine rich flavors from classic French cuisine with comforting home-style cooking. Hearty beef meatballs simmered in caramelized onion sauce promise a satisfying meal to share with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cups (473 ml) beef broth
- ½ cup (60 g) breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Cornstarch (optional) for thickening
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Mixing Proteins: Thoroughly blend ground beef with breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, thyme, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Shaping Meatballs: Form compact, uniform spherical meatballs approximately 1-inch in diameter, ensuring consistent size for uniform cooking.
- Searing Technique: Warm olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, meticulously browning meatballs on all surfaces to develop a rich, golden exterior that locks in succulent flavors.
- Caramelization Process: Gradually sauté sliced onions in the same skillet, allowing them to transform into a deep golden-brown color with intense, sweet undertones.
- Slow Cooker Assembly: Strategically layer seared meatballs and caramelized onions in the slow cooker, creating a harmonious flavor foundation.
- Liquid Infusion: Delicately pour beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and balsamic vinegar over the meatball arrangement, ensuring complete ingredient coverage.
- Cooking Dynamics: Seal the slow cooker and simmer on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours, allowing meatballs to become tender and absorb surrounding aromatics.
- Optional Sauce Enhancement: For a more luxurious consistency, whisk cornstarch with cold water and gently incorporate into the cooking liquid during the final cooking phase.
- Serving Presentation: Elegantly garnish with fresh parsley and serve piping hot alongside crusty bread or atop pasta for a complete culinary experience.
Notes
- Seal Meatball Moisture: Browning meatballs before slow cooking creates a protective golden crust that locks in juices and prevents dryness.
- Caramelize Onions Perfectly: Cook onions slowly on medium-low heat for 10-12 minutes to develop deep, rich sweetness and prevent burning.
- Adjust Cooking Time Wisely: Low temperature requires 4-6 hours, while high temperature needs only 2-3 hours to ensure tender, fully cooked meatballs.
- Enhance Sauce Consistency: Use cornstarch slurry in the final 30 minutes to thicken sauce without compromising flavor or texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg