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Slow cooker Swedish meatballs are braised in a rich and flavorful cream sauce. Combining ground beef, pork, and warm spices makes for the most comforting and satisfying meal.
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: I love this recipe because it’s virtually hands-off and a hit with the family every time. You’re going to love it!
- Tradition: So many people go to Ikea to get their Swedish meatball craving fix. This recipe is even better and made simple with the slow cooker.
- Crowd Pleaser: Swedish meatballs have a mild, creamy flavor that appeals to both kids and adults. You can serve it over noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes.
How to Make Crockpot Swedish Meatballs
This Swedish meatballs recipe takes a little bit of prep work initially, but then it’s off to the slow cooker to let it work its magic!
- Add Meatballs to Slow Cooker: Spray the slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray, then place the frozen meatballs at the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Butter and Flour Mixture: For the sauce, melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the flour and whisk to create a paste.
- Add Liquids: Slowly stir in beef broth and heavy cream.
- Mix in Spices and Seasonings: Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, allspice, and nutmeg. Bring to a simmer until the sauce starts to thicken. Then, season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour Into Slow Cooker: Pour the sauce over the meatballs.
- Cook: Cover and cook the meatballs on high for 2 hours or low for 4 to 5 hours.
- Serve: Garnish the Swedish meatballs with parsley, and serve with mashed potatoes or egg noodles.
Freezer Meal Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs
Instructions:
- Add the frozen meatballs to a gallon-sized, freezer-safe, sealable storage bag and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Whisk the flour into the butter to create a paste.
- Slowly whisk in the beef broth and heavy cream until smooth. Add in the Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, allspice, nutmeg, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool nearly to room temperature. Pour the cooled sauce into the bag with the meatballs.
- Press out as much air as possible, seal the bag, and freeze it flat for better storage.
Reheat:
- Remove the bag from the freezer one hour before cooking to allow it to thaw slightly on the counter.
- Place the contents of the bag into a slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours until the meatballs are heated through.
- Serve over egg noodles or rice and enjoy!
Tips and Variations for Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs
Customize your slow cooker Swedish meatballs just the way you like them with these extra tips and tricks!
- Beef Broth: Mushroom or vegetable broth will also work, but it will change the overall flavor of the dish slightly.
- Adjust the creaminess: Use half and half for a lighter sauce, or add extra heavy cream, or even a spoonful of sour cream, for a richer, creamier finish.
- Customize Sauce Thickness: Adjust the flour amount to control the thickness of the sauce. For a thicker sauce, add a bit more flour; for a lighter one, use less.
- Serve with lingonberry sauce: The sweet-tangy flavor balances the richness, just like the classic Ikea combo.
All Things Swedish Meatballs
I know how much you love my Swedish meatballs! I’ve rounded up every version, from quick and easy to homemade favorites! You can find them all in one place!
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Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs
Slow cooker Swedish meatballs braised in a rich and flavorful cream sauce. A combination of ground beef, pork, and warm spices make for a comforting and satisfying dish.
Ingredients
- 26 ounces frozen meatballs, precooked
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- dash allspice
- dash nutmeg
- salt and pepper to taste
- egg noodles
Instructions
- Spray the slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray, then place 26 ounces frozen meatballs, in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- For the sauce, melt 4 tablespoons butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 tablespoons flour and whisk to create a paste.
- Slowly stir in 2 cups beef broth and 1 cup heavy cream.
- Stir in 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, dash allspice, and dash nutmeg. Bring to a simmer until the sauce starts to thicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour the sauce over the meatballs.
- Cover and cook the meatballs for 2 hours on high or low for 4 to 5 hours.
- Garnish the Swedish meatballs with parsley, and serve with mashed potatoes or egg noodles.
Video
Notes
Storing and Reheating
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- Fridge: Store cooled meatballs in an airtight container for 3–4 days. Reheat: Microwave with a splash of water or warm on the stove, stirring until heated through.
Nutrition
Calories: 522kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 22gFat: 46gSaturated Fat: 23gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 147mgSodium: 478mgPotassium: 437mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 827IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 53mgIron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!
SOOOO good! Have made these twice this month. I make the meatballs and gravy the night before. It’s nice to be able to pop the crockpot insert in and in a couple of hours have a delicious lunch!
FYI others have mentioned the baking powder, it’s still in the instructions.
INSTRUCTIONS
In a medium-sized bowl whisk together ¼ cup heavy cream and egg.
Add in breadcrumbs and stir to combine, set aside.
In a large bowl add pork, grated onion, garlic, *******baking powder*****, 1 teaspoon salt, nutmeg, allspice, and black pepper.
The recipe has a total of 2 tsp salt, but at separate times, calls for 1tsp and 1.5tsp to total 2.5 tsp. Just clarifying, as I don’t want it too salty.
anyone make this in an insta pot??? sounds amazing just wanting to adjust cook time
I love yours recipes .Thank you for post on FB.
Your recipe is lovely but you didn’t specify how much baking powder to use or if I’m wrong and just didn’t read it, forgive me, they were still very good. Thank you so much for sharing, Sincerely, Sandra Racine
That was a typo, I apologize. I have now deleted it. I am so glad that you loved it! Thank you for sharing and following along with me! XOXO
It still says baking powder…
Thank you for taking the effort to actually make the gravy/sauce from scratch. So many other recipes for Swedish meatballs use canned cream of mushroom soup. I don’t need to tell you how much better the end product will taste when made with fresh ingredients. I now feel confident that I can make this for my daughter’s birthday party this weekend using fresh and basic ingredients!
How much baking powder?
You will leave the baking powder out. Thank you for letting me know! I will correct that!
Can the meatballs be cooked in the oven?
Yes, of course! That sounds delicious too!
I am such a sucker for meatballs. I can only imagine that making them in a slow cooker makes the flavors so good and the texture unbeatable! Yum.
I made this last night and my family loved it! I served it with mashed potatoes and roast vegetables on the side.
I love Swedish Meatballs and want to try this recipe! Step 3 in the instructions states: “In a large bowl add pork, grated onion, garlic, baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, nutmeg, allspice, and black pepper”, yet the baking powder is not listed in the ingredients. How much baking powder should I use in this step? Thank you.
Thank you for letting me know! There is no baking powder. I have updated the recipe.
I’m rather new to your site. I’m so excited about your recipes!!! They are wonderful! I wanted to say “thank you” for the tested reliability of your recipes. I will remain a fan I’m sure. Keep them coming! My husband was so impressed with the homemade saucy pork chops, he just couldn’t stop raving about them. Meatballs are next! You are making my job easier and I like that.
Looking forward to trying this. Sounds delicious! However, there is baking powder listed in the directions, but none in the recipe. Is this just omitted in the recipe?
Thank you for letting me know! It is a misprint. I removed it! XOXO
Love this site
This looks so tasty! Do you have the timing to make this in an instant pot?
I am not sure in the instant pot. Let me know if you try it and how it turns out! Enjoy! XOXO
Hello! Do you think I could double this recipe (I’m making it for a potluck) without overcrowding the slow cooker? Thanks!
Yes, of course! The more the better ;)!