If you’re yearning for ultimate comfort food with a Scandinavian twist, the Swedish Meatballs Recipe is a timeless classic that delivers pure coziness in every bite. Juicy, tender meatballs enveloped in a luxuriously creamy gravy—what’s not to love? Whether you’re looking for a family favorite, a festive main dish, or simply a weeknight treat, this recipe boasts a satisfying blend of spices and silky sauce that promises to win over hearts and tastebuds alike!
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the secrets to the charm of this Swedish Meatballs Recipe is that the ingredient list is straightforward, but each element has a big role to play. Let’s break down what you’ll need and why you shouldn’t skip a thing!
- Ground beef: Adds hearty, meaty flavor and forms the base of the meatballs.
- Ground pork: Brings extra juiciness and tenderness thanks to its fat content.
- Breadcrumbs: Lightens the texture for cloud-like meatballs that aren’t dense.
- Onion (grated): Infuses sweetness and extra moisture into every bite.
- Egg: Binds the mixture together so the meatballs don’t fall apart.
- Milk: Softens the breadcrumbs, making the meatballs silky inside.
- Salt: Essential for bringing out the flavors in the meat.
- Black pepper: Adds gentle, earthy heat.
- Ground allspice: A signature Swedish touch, with a warm aroma.
- Ground nutmeg: Delivers subtle, nutty depth to the meatballs.
- Butter (for frying): Gives the meatballs their beautiful golden crust as they cook.
- Butter (for gravy): Creates a rich base for the creamy gravy.
- All-purpose flour: Thickens the sauce to the perfect consistency.
- Beef broth: Adds umami depth and savory flavor to the gravy.
- Heavy cream: Makes the gravy creamy and indulgent.
- Worcestershire sauce: Lends complexity with a tangy, umami kick.
- Dijon mustard: Brightens the sauce with a gentle zing.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Final seasoning to make the gravy sing.
How to Make Swedish Meatballs Recipe
Step 1: Mix and Shape the Meatballs
Start by combining the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated onion, egg, milk, salt, pepper, allspice, and nutmeg in a large bowl. Use your hands or a sturdy spoon to blend everything together, but don’t overdo it—overmixing can make the meatballs tough! Once just combined, gently roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. Taking a little time to ensure they’re the same size will help them cook evenly.
Step 2: Brown the Meatballs
In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Working in batches if needed, add the meatballs and cook, turning them to brown all sides. This usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes. You’re looking for a golden-brown exterior while locking in juicy flavor inside! Once browned, transfer the meatballs to a plate and set aside.
Step 3: Whip Up the Gravy
Using the same skillet (don’t clean it—you want those luscious brown bits for flavor!), melt another 2 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until golden, which gives you that nutty, rich base for the gravy. Slowly add the beef broth while whisking, scraping up anything stuck to the bottom. Stir in the heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Let it simmer and thicken for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to keep it smooth and silky.
Step 4: Simmer Everything Together
Carefully return the browned meatballs to the pan, nestling them into the sauce. Let them simmer gently for another 5 to 7 minutes, until they’re fully cooked through and fully coated in that dreamy, velvety gravy. At this stage, your kitchen will smell absolutely irresistible.
How to Serve Swedish Meatballs Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley adds a bright, herby note that really pops against the creamy sauce. You can also add a dollop of tangy lingonberry jam on the side—it’s a traditional Swedish favorite and provides a delightful sweet-tart contrast to the savory meatballs.
Side Dishes
The Swedish Meatballs Recipe shines atop buttery mashed potatoes, fluffy egg noodles, or tender rice. Each option soaks up that luscious gravy beautifully, making sure you’ll mop up every last bit. Don’t forget a simple green salad or some steamed veggies to round out the plate—pure comfort!
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving the meatballs as sliders nestled in soft mini buns, or even skewer them appetizer-style for a party. Arrange them in a casserole dish with extra sauce and bake for a bubbly, crowd-pleasing supper. However you serve them, these meatballs always bring comfort to the table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Swedish meatballs keep wonderfully! Let them cool to room temperature, then store the meatballs and sauce together in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh for three to four days—perfect for lunchboxes or an effortless next-day dinner.
Freezing
This Swedish Meatballs Recipe is fantastic for make-ahead meals. Allow any cooked meatballs and sauce to cool completely, then portion into freezer-safe containers or bags. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready for cozy comfort food, just thaw and reheat.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the meatballs and sauce on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions in short bursts, stirring in between to keep the sauce creamy and smooth. Add a splash of cream or broth if needed to loosen the sauce.
FAQs
What makes the Swedish Meatballs Recipe different from other meatball recipes?
The blend of ground beef and pork, plus the distinctive seasoning of allspice and nutmeg, sets Swedish meatballs apart from Italian or other styles. And of course, the signature creamy gravy is uniquely Scandinavian and oh-so-delicious!
Can I use only beef or only pork?
You can absolutely use just one type Main Course. Using only beef or pork will slightly change the texture and richness, but they’ll still taste great.
Are there easy ways to make this recipe lighter?
Yes! For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey for the beef and pork, and use low-fat cream or even regular milk in the sauce. The result will be a lighter, yet still creamy and comforting, spin on the classic Swedish Meatballs Recipe.
What other sauces go well with Swedish meatballs?
While the traditional creamy gravy is classic, a simple brown gravy or even barbecue sauce can offer a fun twist. That said, the gentle spices in this recipe are designed to pair perfectly with the creamy, savory sauce provided!
Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can shape the meatballs and refrigerate them up to a day in advance, or even brown them and refrigerate or freeze until you’re ready to prepare the sauce and finish the dish. This makes dinner preparation a breeze on busy days.
Final Thoughts
If you love bringing a cozy European vibe into your kitchen, don’t hesitate to give this Swedish Meatballs Recipe a try. There’s just something magical about the combination of spices, tender meat, and creamy gravy that always brings people back for seconds. I hope it becomes a staple on your table as it has on mine!
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Swedish Meatballs Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A classic Swedish Meatballs recipe featuring tender meatballs in a rich, creamy gravy, perfect for serving over mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice. These flavorful meatballs are a comforting and satisfying dish that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ pound ground pork
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 small onion (grated)
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons butter (for frying)
Gravy:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated onion, egg, milk, salt, pepper, allspice, and nutmeg. Roll into 1-inch meatballs.
- Cook the Meatballs: Melt butter in a skillet, brown meatballs in batches, then set aside.
- Make the Gravy: In the same skillet, melt butter, whisk in flour, gradually add beef broth, cream, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard. Simmer until thickened.
- Combine and Simmer: Return meatballs to the pan, simmer in the sauce until fully cooked and coated.
- Serve: Enjoy warm over your choice of sides.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use ground turkey and low-fat cream.
- Lingonberry jam on the side is a classic Swedish touch.
- These meatballs also freeze well after cooking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Swedish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 5–6 meatballs with sauce
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
