Traditional Swedish Meatballs (Classic Recipe) + Video (2024)

ByDonna Elick

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ThistraditionalSwedish meatballs recipecombines tender bites of spiced meat with a rich homemade cream sauce. Make it for dinner in under an hour! Everyone will love this simple homemade meatballs recipe!

Traditional Swedish Meatballs (Classic Recipe) + Video (1)

I swear – this recipe makes the best Swedish meatballs. I love the simple meat mixture and the fact that this great recipe produces juicy meatballs, not dry and crumbly ones.

The best part is that you can top them with a creamy gravy sauce or eat them as your main course.

When you have traditional meatballs like this, you can serve them anytime you want.

They’re great for a Christmas Eve dinner, perfect for a weeknight dinner, or great for a party. You can easily make this recipe in large quantities for a crowd.

Traditional Swedish Meatballs (Classic Recipe) + Video (2)

Traditional Swedish Meatballs

It’s easy to cook this comfort food meal right at home, and it tastes even better than Ikea meatballs!

The secret is the Swedish meatball sauce. Similar to gravy, it starts by slowly whisking beef broth into a roux until the mixture becomes smooth.

Add a bit of Worcestershire for extra flavor, then the heavy cream turns it into a luscious, rich concoction that you’ll want to put on everything!

Looking for more unique flavor combinations? Try myteriyakiorcheesy taco stuffedmeatball recipes. I even have one that tastes just likeChicken Parmesan!

Traditional Swedish Meatballs (Classic Recipe) + Video (3)

Easy Swedish Meatballs – Tips and Tricks

  • Use a mixture of beef and pork.It will add extra flavor and keep the meatballs in cream sauce, tender and moist.

    I love a good combination of beef and pork mixture!

    You can also use all lean ground beef if you prefer, but I recommend skipping the extra lean blends.

    A combination of meats is a great way to add flavor and moisture.

  • Tip for forming the balls:Press firmly enough that they won’t fall apart, but don’t overwork the mixture, or it can become tough and dry.

    Then, dip your hands in water as you roll them so they are nice and smooth on the outside.

  • Avoid overcrowding the pan.Leave space in the pan so the meat can brown, not steam. If your skillet isn’t large enough, you will need to work in batches.
  • Test for doneness.The size of your rounds will affect how long they need to cook, so cut one open to make sure it’s done before removing the rest from the pan.
  • Don’t have beef broth?You can substitute chicken or vegetable broth instead for these easy Swedish meatballs.
Traditional Swedish Meatballs (Classic Recipe) + Video (4)

Meatballs with Cream Sauce Serving Suggestions

Spoon the traditional Swedish meatballs over egg noodles ormashed potatoeswith a dollop of lingonberry jam.

If you’d like, add a simple salad or some steamed vegetables to give the plate some color and round out the meal.

Meatballs In Cream Sauce FAQs

Can I use sour cream instead of heavy cream?

Yes, and it’s a great alternative if you want something a little bit tangier. I recommend starting with a smaller amount and adding more as needed after tasting. Add more as needed until the Swedish meatball sauce is perfect.

What’s the best way to reheat leftover meatballs with cream sauce?

Either simmer the meatballs in cream sauce together on the stove until warmed through or heat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.

Can I make just the Swedish meatball sauce by itself?

Absolutely! Feel free to double or triple the amounts to use the sauce for other meals.

Keep the Swedish meatball sauce in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a week and reheat slowly on the stove, adding a splash of broth as needed to thin out the consistency.

Can I freeze this cooked Swedish meatball recipe?

You can. If you find that you have leftovers of this authentic Swedish meatballs recipe, freeze them for later. Let the homemade Swedish meatballs cool to room temperature, and then store any leftovers in an airtight container.

When you’re ready to reheat and eat, you can add them to a large skillet on medium heat and warm them up. The frying pan will heat the classic Swedish meatballs recipe, making them golden brown and hot.

What side dishes pair well with these meatballs?

Did I mention that these are the best meatballs? You can pair them with a creamy mashed potato side dish or create a meatball sandwich by adding the meatballs onto a slice of white bread and then topping with some of the delicious creamy Swedish meatball sauce.

The flavors of the meatball mixture also pair well with steamed veggies or a side salad. The only reason that you would pair it with side dishes is to round out the flavors!

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Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

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Traditional Swedish Meatballs (Classic Recipe) + Video (11)

Traditional Swedish Meatballs (Classic Recipe) +Video

Donna Elick

This Swedish meatballs recipe combines tender bites of spiced meat with a rich homemade cream sauce. Make it for dinner in under an hour!

5 stars from 2 reviews

Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Main

Cuisine American

Method Stovetop

Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces ground pork
  • 8 ounces ground beef
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons butter

Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream

Instructions

  • In a large bowl combine ground pork, ground beef, onion, egg, salt, pepper, breadcrumbs, nutmeg, allspice, and parsley. Mix the ingredients thoroughly then roll into 1 1/2 inch balls.

  • Place butter in a large skillet and, working in batches, begin frying the meatballs, cooking them on all sides until they are perfectly browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes.

  • Once meatballs are cooked set them to the side and begin making your sauce. Add butter to the skillet and once it is melted add the flour whisking quickly and forming a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until it begins to turn a golden color.

  • Slowly add beef broth whisking the whole time to keep it from getting lumpy. Once all of the broth has been added cook for 5-7 minutes or until the sauce begins to thicken.

  • Add Worcestershire and heavy cream and continue cooking until the sauce is thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.

  • Add the meatballs to the sauce and cook them together for about 5 minutes.

  • Serve over egg noodles or mashed potatoes.

Video

Donna’s Notes

If your skillet has too many burned bits after you finish cooking the meatballs you can wash it out before starting your sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 571cal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Cholesterol: 182mg | Sodium: 1275mg | Sugar: 2g | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 3mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Traditional Swedish Meatballs (Classic Recipe) + Video (12)

Originally published February 2018, updated and republished March 2024

Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate linkyour price will remain the sameand The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.

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Traditional Swedish Meatballs (Classic Recipe) + Video (2024)

FAQs

What are traditional Swedish meatballs made of? ›

Mix ground beef, ground pork, egg, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger with onion in the mixing bowl. Lightly mix in bread crumbs and cream. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Pinch off about 1 1/2 tablespoon meat mixture per meatball; form into balls.

What makes Swedish meatballs different from regular meatballs? ›

While both varieties include ingredients such as grated onion and panade (milk-soaked bread) or bread crumbs, plus the usual salt and pepper, Swedish meatballs traditionally use spices like allspice, nutmeg, white pepper, and sometimes ground ginger as flavoring.

Why are my Swedish meatballs falling apart? ›

ANSWER: Usually when meatballs fall apart, it's the binder that is the problem. Most meatball recipes call for using bread crumbs and eggs. But too much bread crumbs make them too loose, and not enough bread crumbs won't help them hold together either.

Why is my Swedish meatball sauce not thickening? ›

How to Thicken Swedish Meatball Sauce. The all-purpose flour in this recipe should do the trick to thicken your Swedish meatball sauce to the right consistency. But if it doesn't, you can add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon of cornstarch to 2 tablespoons of water) to thicken it up.

What is the sauce for Swedish meatballs made from? ›

250 ml (1 cup) vegetable broth (or stock) 250 ml (1 cup) beef broth (or stock) 1 cup thickened (or heavy) cream* 2 teaspoons regular soy sauce.

Are homestyle meatballs the same as Swedish meatballs? ›

Swedish meatballs are typically smaller than the Italian style. Seasonings are different for Swedish meatballs but every recipe for them has variations on spices.

What can you use instead of breadcrumbs in Swedish meatballs? ›

I have done them with panko, crusty bread, crushed Ritz crackers, and once a few packages of Cheese sandwich crackers because I didn't have anything else that night. All of them add different characteristics to the end product but all came out good and unique. Try both and see how you like it.

Do they eat Swedish meatballs in Sweden? ›

Swedish meatballs, or köttbullar, must be prepared, above all, with love. This is why homemade meatballs are a widespread concept in Sweden, and there are many different favourite recipes – with and without meat.

What not to do when making meatballs? ›

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Meatballs
  1. Not seasoning the meat.
  2. Not adding any moisture to the meat.
  3. Over-mixing the meat.
  4. Not shaping the meatballs correctly.
  5. Not forming evenly-sized meatballs.
May 1, 2019

Should I roll my meatballs in flour before baking? ›

A traditional size for this sort of meatball is 2 to 3 inches across, but you can make them any size you want. Once you roll the meatball in your hands, roll it in the flour to give it a good coating. Set each one on a baking sheet as you work.

What is the secret to making tender meatballs? ›

You asked: What's the secret to tender meatballs?
  1. Don't overmix. When meatballs are tough, it's often because they've been overworked. ...
  2. Check the fat content. Leaner meat can easily result in dry meatballs, which need to be fully cooked to be served safely. ...
  3. Consider the other ingredients. ...
  4. Choose the right cooking method.
Mar 22, 2024

What do you eat with Swedish meatballs? ›

Swedish meatballs are quite small, at most about an inch in diameter. As mentioned above, They are usually served in a creamy gravy with lingonberry jam or Lingonberry Sauce and Fresh Pickled Cucumbers. Swedish meatballs are usually served on top of mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles. Both are delicious!

Does Swedish meatballs contain sour cream? ›

It's All About the Sauce

Flavored with nutmeg and cardamom, these little beef-and-pork meatballs are best served with a Swedish meatball sauce—a rich roux-based and beef stock gravy, spiked with sour cream and a little lingonberry jelly.

What supermarket sells Swedish meatballs? ›

Smorgasbord The Original Swedish Meatballs 1Kg - Tesco Groceries.

What meat are Ikea Swedish meatballs made of? ›

The standard meatballs that you might put in a spaghetti sauce or a meatball sub are usually made with ground beef. But, Swedish meatballs from IKEA are made from both pork and beef! And, of course, there is a creamy gravy rather than a red sauce when you serve it.

What is the difference between Swedish and Norwegian meatballs? ›

Norwegian recipes are made with all beef, while some Swedish recipes also use pork. Norwegian meatballs tend to be larger and flatter than their Swedish cousins.

What's the difference between Swedish and Finnish meatballs? ›

"Finnish meatballs are meatier and bigger than Swedish meatballs. They are also served with lingonberry jam and boiled/mashed potatoes, and a gravy, but they are juicier and yummier.

What is the binding ingredient in meatballs? ›

Eggs: Eggs keep the meatballs from drying out and they act as a binding agent, which means they help hold the ingredients together. Cheese: You'll need a cup of freshly grated Romano cheese.

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