If you’ve ever yearned for a cozy, melt-in-your-mouth comfort meal that hits all the right nostalgic buttons, this Swedish Meatball Recipe is the solution you’ve been searching for. These tender meatballs—bathed in a silky, creamy gravy—take humble pantry staples and turn them into something extraordinary. Whether you’re serving them over a bed of buttery mashed potatoes or a tangle of egg noodles, this dish is guaranteed to become a go-to favorite you’ll crave on chilly evenings and for celebratory gatherings alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Few dishes are as magical as those built on simple, familiar ingredients, and that’s where the Swedish Meatball Recipe shines. Each component has a special role to play in creating those signature savory flavors, moist texture, and the dreamy sauce that brings everyone back for seconds.
- Ground beef: The backbone of the meatballs, providing hearty, rich flavor and satisfying bite.
- Ground pork: Adds extra tenderness and subtle sweetness that keeps the meatballs juicy.
- Breadcrumbs: Essential for holding the mixture together and creating the perfect fluffy interior.
- Milk: Softens the breadcrumbs for a melt-in-your-mouth meatball.
- Onion (finely grated): Disperses flavor evenly without leaving any large chunks—grating is key!
- Egg: Acts as a binder to keep the meatballs intact.
- Ground allspice & nutmeg: These classic Scandinavian spices are the secret to that unmistakable Swedish flavor.
- Salt & black pepper: The foundation of seasoning—don’t skimp!
- Butter (for frying): Delivers golden color and luscious flavor to every bite.
- All-purpose flour (for sauce): Helps achieve a velvety, thick gravy.
- Beef broth: The savory base of the luxurious sauce.
- Heavy cream: Brings richness and creamy texture that sets this Swedish Meatball Recipe apart.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds depth and a dash of umami complexity.
- Dijon mustard: Lends a gentle tang that brightens the sauce.
- Salt and black pepper (for sauce): Season to taste for that final burst of flavor.
How to Make Swedish Meatball Recipe
Step 1: Soften the Breadcrumbs
Start by mixing your breadcrumbs and milk in a small bowl. Let this sit for about 5 minutes so the crumbs can soak up all that milk and become perfectly soft. This little step makes a huge difference in keeping your meatballs tender rather than dry.
Step 2: Mix and Shape Meatballs
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, those perfectly soaked breadcrumbs, grated onion, egg, allspice, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Gently mix everything together with clean hands or a fork, working just until combined—over-mixing can make the meatballs tough! Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls. You can use a cookie scoop if you have one, or just eyeball it for a rustic touch.
Step 3: Brown the Meatballs
Melt two tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Working in batches so you don’t crowd the pan, add your meatballs and cook, turning them often, until they’re beautifully browned on all sides and cooked through—around 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer them to a plate as they finish.
Step 4: Make the Creamy Gravy
In the same skillet (no need to wipe out those tasty browned bits!), melt the butter for your sauce. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk constantly for 1–2 minutes, just until it turns a warm, golden color. Then, slowly pour in the beef broth, whisking to prevent lumps. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and stir in the heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Simmer for about 5–7 minutes until the sauce thickens, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 5: Finish the Swedish Meatball Recipe
Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the bubbling gravy. Simmer for another 5 minutes, letting the flavors meld and the meatballs soak up all that creamy sauce. Serve hot and be ready for big smiles around the table!
How to Serve Swedish Meatball Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh parsley brings a burst of color and freshness to your Swedish Meatball Recipe. For that authentic touch, a spoonful of tangy lingonberry jam on the side creates the perfect contrast to the richness of the dish. If you’re feeling extra festive, a few delicate shreds of lemon zest are also a lovely touch.
Side Dishes
Traditionally, creamy mashed potatoes are the ultimate partner for Swedish meatballs, ready to soak up every drop of gravy. You could also serve them over buttered egg noodles or steamed rice for something a bit different. A crisp cucumber salad or some simply steamed green beans make perfect, refreshing sides that balance all those rich flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving your Swedish Meatball Recipe in a mini crock or cast-iron skillet for a cozy, rustic look. For parties, spear each meatball with a cocktail stick and offer them as hearty appetizers alongside gravy for dipping. Or, pile the meatballs on top of pillowy sliders and drizzle with sauce for an unforgettable game-day snack.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Swedish meatballs keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to three days. Store them in an airtight container, making sure to include plenty of sauce so they don’t dry out. This is one recipe you’ll look forward to reheating!
Freezing
Want to stash away some extra comfort for a lazy day? Freeze your cooked Swedish meatballs (with or without the sauce) in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to three months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating, and enjoy instant homemade comfort food.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm your Swedish Meatball Recipe on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of beef broth or cream to loosen the sauce if needed. If you’re in a hurry, microwaving in short bursts also does the trick, just stir occasionally to keep the sauce smooth.
FAQs
Can I make the Swedish Meatball Recipe with just ground beef?
Absolutely! Using only ground beef gives you a leaner, slightly firmer meatball. For the most tender and flavorful result, though, blending beef with a little pork is my personal favorite—it’s worth trying both ways to see what you love best.
What’s the best way to grate the onion?
Finely grating your onion (rather than dicing) not only ensures even flavor throughout every bite, but it also helps the meatballs hold together without leaving crunchy onion bits. A box grater or a microplane works perfectly for this.
Is there a substitute for lingonberry jam?
If lingonberry jam isn’t available where you live, don’t worry! Cranberry sauce or red currant jelly offers a similar sweet-tart pop—just enough to cut through the creamy sauce and add a pop of color to your plate.
Can I make this Swedish Meatball Recipe ahead of time?
Yes! The meatballs can be fully cooked and stored in the refrigerator or freezer, making them perfect for meal prep or entertaining. Just reheat them gently in the sauce before serving so they stay moist and delicious.
How do I prevent my meatballs from falling apart?
The trick is to soak the breadcrumbs in milk and make sure your mixture is well combined before shaping. Avoid over-mixing or skipping the egg, as this helps bind everything together and creates that ideal, tender texture.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about sharing a plateful of this Swedish Meatball Recipe with people you care about. It’s comforting, impossibly tasty, and guaranteed to bring everyone together with smiles and happy appetites. I hope you give this classic a try—you might just find it becomes your signature cozy dinner, too!
Print
Swedish Meatball Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the deliciousness of homemade Swedish Meatballs with this easy-to-follow recipe. Juicy meatballs in a creamy, savory sauce, perfect for a cozy dinner.
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 small onion (finely grated)
- 1 egg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter (for frying)
For the sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the meatballs: In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs and milk. Let sit for 5 minutes until softened. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, soaked breadcrumbs, grated onion, egg, allspice, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Shape into 1-inch meatballs.
- Cook the meatballs: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add meatballs in batches and cook until browned and cooked through, about 8–10 minutes total. Remove and set aside.
- Make the sauce: Melt butter in the skillet, whisk in flour, then gradually whisk in beef broth. Simmer, then stir in heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper. Return meatballs to the skillet and simmer until warmed through.
- Serve: Enjoy over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice, with lingonberry jam on the side if desired.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use all ground turkey or chicken.
- Make the meatballs in advance and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in sauce before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Swedish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5–6 meatballs with sauce
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 710mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
