The Best Swedish Meatballs Recipe: Cozy Comfort on a Plate

Crafting authentic Swedish meatballs brings pure comfort to your kitchen table.

Tender meat mingles with fragrant spices in this classic Nordic dish.

Generations of home cooks have perfected these delectable spheres of pure deliciousness.

Creamy sauce adds a luxurious touch that makes every bite memorable.

Warm memories of cozy Scandinavian dinners come flooding back with each forkful.

You’ll want to savor these meatballs slowly, appreciating every nuanced flavor.

Gather around and prepare for a culinary journey that promises to delight your senses.

The Best Swedish Meatballs to Savor Anytime

• Craft Authentic Flavors: Blend ground beef and pork creates a rich, traditional Swedish meatball taste that transports you straight to Scandinavia.
• Master Quick Comfort Cooking: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe accessible for home cooks of all skill levels, perfect for satisfying hunger with minimal kitchen effort.
• Family Dinner Champion: Hearty, delicious meatballs covered in creamy gravy appeal to both kids and adults, turning an ordinary meal into a crowd-pleasing feast that brings everyone together around the table.
• One-Pan Wonder: Prepare the entire dish in a single skillet, minimizing cleanup and saving precious time during busy weeknights or when entertaining guests.

Ingredients for Authentic Swedish Meatballs

• Ground Beef: Provides the primary protein and rich flavor for the meatballs.
• Ground Pork: Adds moisture and additional depth to the meat mixture.

• Breadcrumbs, Milk, Egg: Help bind the meat together and create a tender texture for the meatballs.
• Onion, Salt, Black Pepper, Nutmeg: Enhance the overall seasoning and flavor profile of the meatballs.

• Butter, Flour: Create a roux as the base for the creamy gravy.
• Beef Broth: Provides a savory liquid foundation for the sauce.
• Heavy Cream, Worcestershire Sauce: Add richness and complex flavor to the gravy.

• Parsley: Adds a fresh, bright finish to the dish.

How to Prepare the Best Swedish Meatballs

Step 1: Craft the Meatball Magic

• Ground beef
• Ground pork
• Finely chopped onion
• Breadcrumbs
• Milk
• Egg
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Nutmeg

Use your hands to blend everything thoroughly until the mixture feels perfectly uniform and well-combined.

Step 2: Shape Delectable Bites

Roll the meat mixture into small, uniform meatballs about the size of a golf ball.

Ensure each meatball is compact and smooth to prevent them from falling apart during cooking.

Step 3: Sizzle and Brown

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and melt butter until it’s bubbling.

Carefully place meatballs in the pan, working in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook each meatball, rotating gently to achieve a golden-brown exterior on all sides.

Once browned, transfer meatballs to a separate plate.

Step 4: Create Creamy Gravy Goodness

In the same skillet with leftover meat drippings, sprinkle flour and whisk continuously.

• Beef broth
• Heavy cream
• Worcestershire sauce

Stir constantly to prevent lumps and create a smooth, rich gravy.

Step 5: Simmer and Reunite

Reduce heat and let the gravy simmer until it thickens to a luxurious consistency.

Gently return the browned meatballs to the skillet, coating them in the creamy sauce. Allow them to cook together for a few minutes, ensuring meatballs are heated through.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Transfer the meatballs and gravy to a serving platter. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top for a pop of color and fresh flavor.

Serve hot alongside mashed potatoes or egg noodles for a complete meal.

Tips to Perfect Swedish Meatballs at Home

• Craft ultra-juicy meatballs by using a mix of ground beef and pork for rich, balanced flavor profiles. Keep hands slightly damp when rolling to prevent sticky meat mixture from clinging to fingers and ensure smooth, uniform meatball shapes. Select full-fat milk and avoid skim versions to maintain moisture and tenderness in the meat mixture. Enhance gravy depth by deglazing the skillet with browned meat bits, capturing maximum savory undertones from caramelized surfaces. Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container with gravy to prevent drying out, allowing flavors to meld and intensify overnight in the refrigerator.

Flavor Variations on Swedish Meatballs

• Vegetarian Meatballs: Replace ground beef and pork with lentils, mushrooms, and plant-based protein crumbles, binding with flax egg and breadcrumbs for a meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Spicy Nordic Variation: Add smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, and a touch of cayenne to the meatball mixture for a fiery Scandinavian-inspired flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Replace breadcrumbs with crushed pork rinds or almond flour, and serve over cauliflower rice instead of traditional sides.

Pairing Suggestions for Swedish Meatballs

• Cozy Comfort Plate: Serve meatballs over creamy mashed potatoes, letting the rich gravy drizzle down for a hearty winter meal that warms the soul.
• Nordic Noodle Delight: Pair the meatballs with buttered egg noodles, sprinkling fresh parsley on top for a classic Scandinavian-inspired dinner that's both simple and satisfying.
• Rustic Lingonberry Twist: Add a dollop of tangy lingonberry jam on the side to complement the savory meatballs, creating an authentic Swedish flavor profile that brings traditional taste to your table.
• Party Appetizer Platter: Arrange meatballs on a wooden board with toothpicks, perfect for gatherings where guests can enjoy bite-sized portions with a creamy dipping sauce.

Storage Advice for Swedish Meatballs

• Store cooled meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags for maximum 2 months.
• Label containers with date and contents to track freshness.
• Separate gravy from meatballs before refrigerating to prevent soggy texture.

FAQs

• Can I use only ground beef for the meatballs?

You can use 100% ground beef, but mixing pork and beef creates a more tender and flavorful meatball with a traditional Swedish texture.

• How do I prevent meatballs from falling apart while cooking?

Mix ingredients thoroughly, chill the mixture for 30 minutes before shaping, and avoid overhandling the meat when forming meatballs to help them hold together.

• Is it necessary to use Worcestershire sauce in the gravy?

Worcestershire sauce adds depth and umami flavor, but if you don’t have it, you can substitute with soy sauce or skip it. The gravy will still taste delicious.

Classic Swedish Meatballs Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Swedish meatballs, a classic Nordic dish, combine ground beef and pork with aromatic spices. Creamy sauce and lingonberry jam complement the savory meatballs, offering you a taste of traditional Scandinavian comfort cuisine.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound ground pork

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Other Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• Chopped parsley (for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, blend ground beef, ground pork, finely diced onion, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, salt, pepper, and nutmeg until ingredients are evenly distributed and cohesive.
2. Gently roll the meat mixture into uniform bite-sized spheres, approximately 1-inch in diameter, ensuring consistent shape for even cooking.
3. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat (375°F), carefully place meatballs, and rotate every 2-3 minutes to achieve a golden-brown exterior on all sides, approximately 8-10 minutes total.
4. Remove browned meatballs from skillet, leaving behind flavorful drippings, and set aside on a clean plate.
5. In the same skillet, whisk flour into remaining butter, creating a smooth roux, then gradually incorporate beef broth, stirring continuously to prevent lumps.
6. Pour heavy cream and Worcestershire sauce into the developing gravy, whisking constantly to maintain a silky texture.
7. Reduce heat to low, simmer gravy for 5-7 minutes until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
8. Return meatballs to the skillet, gently nestling them into the gravy, and simmer for an additional 5-6 minutes to ensure complete heating and flavor absorption.
9. Transfer meatballs and gravy to a serving platter, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve immediately.

Notes

• Swap ground pork with turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option that keeps the moist, tender texture.
• Add a pinch of nutmeg to enhance the traditional Swedish flavor profile and create deeper, more complex taste notes.
• For gluten-free version, replace wheat breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs to maintain binding consistency.
• Chill the meat mixture for 30 minutes before shaping meatballs to help them hold together better and prevent crumbling during cooking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Swedish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg