swedish meatballs recipe

Swedish Meatballs Recipe

Swedish meatballs are a comforting and classic dish known for their tender texture and rich, savory flavor. This recipe combines ground beef and pork, seasoned with warm spices like nutmeg and allspice, and served with a creamy, luscious brown gravy. Perfect for family dinners, special occasions, or holiday meals, these meatballs are easy to prepare and bake to perfection. They pair wonderfully with mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or steamed vegetables and can also be doubled for meal prep or entertaining. With their authentic taste and simple preparation, this Swedish meatballs recipe is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.

swedish meatballs recipe with frozen meatballs
swedish meatballs recipe with frozen meatballs

Ingredients

  • 2 slices day-old white bread, crumbled
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon butter
  • 1 small onion, minced
  • ⅔ pound ground beef
  • ⅓ pound finely ground pork
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon butter (for skillet)
  • ¼ cup chicken broth
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, or as needed
  • 2 cups beef broth, or as needed
  • ½ (8 ounce) container sour cream

Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • In a small bowl, mix the bread crumbs with heavy cream and allow them to soak for about 10 minutes until fully absorbed.
  • Melt 1 teaspoon butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the minced onion until light brown, about 10 minutes, then transfer to a mixing bowl.
  • Add ground beef, ground pork, egg, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger to the bowl with the onion. Lightly mix in the soaked bread crumbs and cream.
  • Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Form meat mixture into balls, about 1½ tablespoons per meatball. Brown the meatballs in the skillet, turning often, for about 5 minutes; the centers may still be pink.
  • Place the browned meatballs in a baking dish, pour in chicken broth, and cover with foil. Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, until meatballs are tender. Remove meatballs and set aside.
  • Pour pan drippings into a saucepan over medium heat and whisk in flour until smooth. Gradually add beef broth to make about 2½ cups of liquid.
  • Bring gravy to a simmer, whisking constantly until thickened, about 5 minutes. Just before serving, whisk in sour cream and season with salt and black pepper. Serve the gravy with the meatballs.
swedish meatballs recipe with frozen meatballs
swedish meatballs recipe with frozen meatballs

Preparation Details

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Additional Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 6
Yield: Approximately 24 meatballs

This Swedish meatballs recipe delivers classic flavor with tender, juicy meatballs in a creamy gravy, making it perfect for cozy family dinners or special occasions. The combination of beef and pork, along with aromatic spices, ensures a rich, authentic taste every time.