Swedish Meatballs Recipe: Cozy Comfort Food at Its Finest

Crafting authentic Swedish meatballs brings comfort and nostalgia straight to your kitchen table.

Nordic culinary traditions inspire this hearty dish that connects generations.

Tender meat mingles with creamy sauce, creating a symphony of flavors.

Warm spices like nutmeg and allspice dance through each perfectly seasoned bite.

Home cooks treasure this classic recipe passed down through families in scandinavia.

Rich, savory notes blend seamlessly with smooth lingonberry accompaniments.

Prepare to savor a taste of stockholm’s most beloved comfort food.

Sides That Pair Perfectly With Swedish Meatballs

• Cozy Family Dinner Night: Serve the Swedish meatballs over creamy mashed potatoes, creating a comforting meal that brings everyone together around the table.
• Scandinavian-Style Platter: Arrange meatballs on a wooden board with lingonberry jam, pickled cucumbers, and fresh dill for an authentic Nordic presentation that celebrates traditional flavors.
• Quick Lunch Makeover: Transform leftovers into a hearty sandwich by placing meatballs between crusty bread with a dollop of extra gravy, perfect for a satisfying midday meal.
• Party Appetizer Twist: Skewer the meatballs with toothpicks, drizzle with extra sauce, and serve as a crowd-pleasing finger food during gatherings or game nights.

Proper Storage For Swedish Meatballs

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, ensuring meatballs are completely cooled before storing.
• Separate meatballs and sauce in different containers to maintain texture and prevent soggy meat.
• Freeze meatballs and sauce in freezer-safe containers for up to 2-3 months, leaving slight space for expansion.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve quality and flavor.

FAQs

• What makes Swedish meatballs different from other meatballs?

Swedish meatballs use a blend of ground beef and pork, with unique spices like allspice and nutmeg that give them a distinctive, warm flavor profile not found in traditional Italian or American meatball recipes.

• Can I use all ground beef instead of the beef and pork mixture?

While you can use all ground beef, the combination of beef and pork creates a more authentic texture and richer taste that is characteristic of traditional Swedish meatballs.

• Is the soy sauce essential in the gravy?

The soy sauce adds depth and umami flavor to the gravy, but if you don’t have it, you can substitute with Worcestershire sauce or simply omit it without significantly changing the overall taste of the dish.

Swedish Meatballs You Can’t Miss

• Savor Authentic Flavors: Dive into a classic Swedish dish packed with rich, comforting taste that transports you straight to Scandinavia with its unique blend of spices like allspice and nutmeg.
• Master Quick Cooking: Create restaurant-quality meatballs in a single skillet, using simple ingredients and minimal cooking steps that make this recipe perfect for busy home cooks.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Delight family and friends with a hearty meal that combines tender meat, creamy gravy, and a perfect balance of herbs and spices guaranteed to satisfy every palate.
• Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy these meatballs over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or alongside different side dishes, making it an adaptable recipe for various dining preferences and occasions.

Ingredients For Swedish Meatballs

• Ground Beef: A classic protein that forms the foundation of the meatballs.
• Ground Pork: Adds richness and depth to the meatball mixture.

• Breadcrumbs, Milk, Egg: Work together to help bind the meatballs and keep them tender.
• Onion: Provides subtle sweetness and moisture to the meat mixture.

• Allspice, Nutmeg: Traditional Swedish spices that give the meatballs their distinctive warm and aromatic flavor.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the meatballs.

• Butter, Flour: Create a classic roux as the base for the creamy sauce.
• Beef Broth: Adds depth and savory flavor to the gravy.
• Heavy Cream: Provides a rich and luxurious texture to the sauce.
• Dijon Mustard, Soy Sauce: Contribute tangy and umami notes to the gravy.

Stepwise Swedish Meatballs Preparation

Step 1: Blend Meatball Mixture

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, finely chopped onion, egg, allspice, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to blend ingredients thoroughly, ensuring even distribution.

Gently roll the mixture into round meatballs about the size of a golf ball.

Step 2: Brown Meatballs

Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Carefully place meatballs into the pan, working in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook each batch until golden brown on all sides, turning gently with tongs.

Transfer browned meatballs to a clean plate.

Step 3: Craft Creamy Gravy

In the same skillet with delicious browned bits, melt additional butter.

Sprinkle flour and whisk constantly to create a smooth roux. Slowly pour in beef broth, continuing to whisk to prevent lumps.

The mixture will begin to thicken and become glossy.

Step 4: Enhance Gravy Flavor

• Heavy cream
• Dijon mustard
• Soy sauce

Simmer the gravy, stirring occasionally, until it reaches a rich, velvety consistency that coats the back of a spoon.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Gently return meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy gravy. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing meatballs to heat through and absorb the sauce.

Serve piping hot over creamy mashed potatoes or tender egg noodles.

Tips For Tender Swedish Meatballs

• Swap ground pork with ground turkey for a leaner protein option that keeps the dish light and healthy.
• Enhance flavor by using fresh breadcrumbs instead of store-bought, which adds a more delicate texture to the meatballs.
• Control portion sizes by making smaller meatballs, perfect for appetizers or kid-friendly meals.
• Freeze uncooked meatballs on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag for easy meal prep and quick weeknight dinners.
• Balance the rich gravy by adding a splash of lingonberry jam or cranberry sauce for a traditional Swedish touch that cuts through the creaminess.

Variations On Swedish Meatballs

• Gluten-Free Meatballs: Replace breadcrumbs with gluten-free almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegetarian Swedish Balls: Swap ground meats with plant-based alternatives like Beyond Meat or lentil and mushroom mixture, using similar spices.
• Low-Carb Option: Skip mashed potatoes and serve over cauliflower mash or zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate intake.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and olive oil in place of butter for lactose-intolerant individuals.

Quick Swedish Meatballs Recipe

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4.9 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Scandinavian comfort shines through this Swedish meatballs recipe, blending traditional Nordic flavors with creamy sauce. Rich beef and pork combine with classic spices, creating a hearty meal you’ll savor down to the last delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat

• 1 lb (0.45 kg) ground beef
• 1 lb (0.45 kg) ground pork
• 1 egg

Dry Ingredients

• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• Salt and pepper to taste

Liquid and Aromatic Ingredients

• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

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Instructions

1. Blend ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, finely diced onion, egg, allspice, nutmeg, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
2. Gently form the meat mixture into uniform 1-inch spherical meatballs, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
3. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, approximately 350°F, and carefully brown meatballs in multiple batches, rotating to achieve golden exterior.
4. Transfer cooked meatballs to a separate plate, maintaining their warmth and preserving their crisp exterior.
5. In the same skillet with residual meat drippings, create a roux by whisking butter and flour until smooth and lightly golden.
6. Gradually pour beef broth into the roux, continuously whisking to prevent lumps and create a silky, consistent sauce.
7. Incorporate heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and soy sauce, stirring until the gravy reaches a rich, velvety consistency, approximately 3-4 minutes.
8. Reintroduce meatballs to the simmering gravy, allowing them to heat through and absorb flavors for 5-7 minutes.
9. Serve immediately over creamy mashed potatoes or tender egg noodles, garnishing with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

• Ensure even mixing of ground meats for consistent texture and flavor throughout the meatballs.
• Use cold milk and egg to help bind ingredients and prevent tough meatballs when mixing.
• Gently roll meatballs without compressing too tightly to maintain a tender, light consistency.
• Brown meatballs in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can lead to steaming instead of proper caramelization.
• Create a smooth gravy by whisking constantly and adding broth gradually to prevent lumps.
• Adjust sauce thickness by simmering longer or adding more broth if needed for desired consistency.
• Serve immediately to enjoy the rich, creamy sauce and keep meatballs at their most tender state.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Swedish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 404 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 410 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 11 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 115 mg