Swedish meatballs are a beloved delicacy in Scandinavian cuisine. Made with ground beef and pork, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, sugar, and special spices – these classic meatballs will leave your tastebuds satisfied!
Traditional served with mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam, they make for a satisfying meal. But since they tend to be heavier than other comfort foods, modern chefs have been working to lighten them up and make them healthier-for-you options.
1. Swedish Meatballs in Cream Sauce
These Swedish meatballs are an irresistible blend of beef and pork simmered in a creamy sauce. They’re the ideal comfort food that takes only 30 minutes to make – the perfect comfort food anytime!
These delectable meatballs are enhanced with allspice and nutmeg in the Swedish meatball sauce for even more flavor and a truly tantalizing combination!
Create the classic Swedish meatball sauce with butter, flour, beef broth (or stock), heavy cream, soy sauce and Dijon mustard. All these ingredients should be cooked over medium-high heat in a skillet until bubbly before mixing together to form a thickened gravy.
Begin by melting butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Whisk in flour until it turns brown and is well combined, then slowly add beef broth a little at a time until you reach a roux consistency; continue whisking over low heat until thickened.
Once the roux has thickened, whisk in the sour cream until thoroughly mixed. Finally, stir in your meatball mixture and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
If you’re not a fan of sour cream, consider substituting half-and-half instead. It will help reduce the amount of sugar in your sauce.
You can substitute beef broth with chicken bouillon to give the sauce a deeper flavor and make it lighter than using beef broth.
These delicious Swedish meatballs make a delicious accompaniment to mashed potatoes, lingonberry sauce or pickles for an authentic Swedish meal. Try substituting cranberry, raspberry or red currant jelly for something fruitier!
A classic Swedish meatball recipe calls for creamy gravy, mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam and some thinly sliced pickles to create a complete dinner. It is an easy dish that can be served as the main course, side or even with toothpicks!
This recipe for Swedish meatballs is one of our favorites – it’s super straightforward and you can even freeze them ahead of time if desired! Enjoy this delectable dinner anytime of year with no season restrictions!
2. Swedish Meatballs with Lingonberry Sauce
Swedish Meatballs with Lingonberry Sauce is a comforting classic meal that makes an excellent main course or appetizer. Made with ground beef and pork, then spiced up with nutmeg and allspice, they’re served over mashed potatoes with creamy gravy then topped off with tart lingonberry jam for deliciousness.
These meatballs, commonly referred to as kottbullar in Sweden, are a traditional dish that comes together quickly for an easy family dinner.
These versatile dishes can be served with mashed potatoes and broad ribbon noodles as a side. Ideal for an easy holiday meal or any time of year!
Swedish meatballs with lingonberry sauce is one of my go-to recipes for this classic Scandinavian meal. Simmered in a creamy beef gravy and served with some delicious lingonberry jam, it makes an excellent appetizer or side dish at parties–plus, it only takes one pan!
Make sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure the meatballs are cooked through. Insert the center of the ball and it should read 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
You’ll need a small amount of butter in a frying pan to cook your Swedish meatballs, which should not exceed 1-2 inches across (with two being the maximum size). Once they are golden brown and hold their shape, transfer them onto a baking sheet or other shallow dish; you could even pan-fry them while making gravy!
If you want to save time, pre-made frozen Swedish meatballs are an easy solution. These frozen treats can be found at most grocery stores and make life much easier for busy families.
In addition to 1 lb of ground beef, you’ll need breadcrumbs, an egg, grated onion and some allspice and nutmeg. To make these meatballs, simply combine all these ingredients in a large bowl until well mixed.
Heat the remaining butter in a frying pan and fry the meatballs in batches, turning them over until they’re evenly browned. Keep an eye on them since these will take longer to cook than oven baked! If the roux starts to seize up, slowly add stock while stirring continuously. Finally, fold sour cream into the sauce and simmer until thick and silky.
3. Swedish Meatballs with Mashed Potatoes
Swedish meatballs are an easy recipe that can be made right in your own kitchen. Start by mixing together beef and pork with breadcrumbs, milk, onion and seasonings; then form them into balls before cooking in a buttery sauce. They then get served over either mashed potatoes or buttered noodles for added flavor and convenience.
When making this recipe for a large group, use high quality ground meat. You could also substitute almond meal in place of breadcrumbs if desired. While leaner ground meat tends to work best, be aware that these meatballs may be tougher than with higher fat contents.
You can opt for a healthier version of this dish by using lighter sour cream and skimmed milk instead of full-fat varieties. You could also add fresh herbs to the meat mixture or substitute panko breadcrumbs with crushed crackers and parmesan cheese.
You could also try this dish with a creamy gravy made from vegetable and beef stock. It’s simple to prepare and the perfect accompaniment for Swedish meatballs.
For the gravy, you will need butter and flour to create a roux (a thick paste that thickens the sauce). You can also add some cornstarch for texture.
Once the roux has formed, stir in vegetable and beef stock, cream, soy sauce, Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce. For extra sweetness you may wish to sprinkle a touch of brown sugar on top.
Once cooked, serve your meatballs in their sauce over your favourite mashed potatoes with a dollop of lingonberry preserves! It’s an incredibly tasty way to enjoy these meatballs that is sure to please everyone!
Another delicious way to serve these meatballs is with buttered egg noodles. These noodles are easy to make and boast a tender crumb that’s ideal for dipping in the Swedish meatball gravy. This dish makes an excellent meal for a large group!
4. Swedish Meatballs with Buttered Egg Noodles
Swedish meatballs are smaller in size than Italian meatballs and made with a 50-50 mixture of ground pork and beef. Plus, they have an aromatic blend of spices including allspice and nutmeg. Typically served in a creamy gravy over egg noodles or mashed potatoes, Swedish meatballs make for an indulgent dinner.
This recipe can easily be made in the crock pot or frozen for later. Simply brown the meatballs before adding them to the sauce and simmer on low for several hours or until cooked through. Finally, stir in sour cream and cook your egg noodles before serving.
Making Swedish meatballs requires not overmixing the mixture or they will become tough. Furthermore, don’t overcook them as this makes them difficult to consume and may fall apart in the sauce.
To make the meatballs, combine cooled onion with ground meats, an egg, milk-soaked breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, allspice, nutmeg and parsley. With a small scoop or spoon, roll this mixture into walnut-sized balls then drop them in a simmering sauce pan.
Once the meatballs have finished cooking, drain them and set aside to cool. Meanwhile, heat a skillet with butter over medium-high heat and stir in mushroom slices until golden and most moisture has been released from them.
For the gravy, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat and add onion. Continue stirring until tender (5-6 minutes). Sprinkle flour, stirring to incorporate and cook until browned. Whisk beef stock into the pan then bring to a boil before reducing it into a loose gravy.
Once the sauce has thickened, taste for sweetness and balance. You may wish to stir in additional drops of jelly or even a splash of sherry or Marsala wine for extra depth and flavor.
Serve this delicious meal with buttered egg noodles to get the full Swedish experience! This is a great way to savor your Swedish meatballs and explore something new at the same time!