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This Swedish meatball recipe is a top favorite recipe on the site for a reason! Juicy meatballs, rich creamy gravy, and SO MUCH FLAVOR! They’re easy to make and, in my opinion, way better than IKEA’s.
Reasons This Recipe is the BEST!
- Fan Favorite: With 400+ five-star reviews, these meatballs are actually the best.
- Creamy Sauce: The secret lies in the sauce. It’s rich, creamy, and full of flavor thanks to classic spices. You will be licking the spoon, I promise.
- Better than IKEA: Ever had IKEA Swedish Meatballs? These ones are so easy and WAY better!
A Reader’s Review
This is my absolute favorite Swedish meatball recipe. The flavor is mouthwatering. Thank you for sharing this with us!
-Renee
Ingredients in Swedish Meatballs
- Use lean ground beef: It helps keep the meatballs tender without making them greasy.
- Spices: Trust me, nutmeg and allspice are what make these Swedish meatballs special. Don’t skip them if you want that authentic flavor.
- No Panko Breadcrumbs? No Problem: If you’re out of breadcrumbs, make a panade by blending two pieces of bread into crumbs and mixing with 1/4 cup of milk to form a paste. Add an egg, mix it all up, and you’ll get the same great texture in your meatballs.
- Go for low-sodium beef broth: This keeps the creamy gravy from turning too salty and gives you more control over the final flavor.
How to Make Swedish Meatballs
These will come together quickly and cook in about 30 minutes total, so dinner is fast and easy! I have a few variations of this recipe you have to try! Swedish meatball casserole, soup, and slow cooker method!
- Combine: In a medium-sized bowl, combine ground beef, panko, parsley, allspice, nutmeg, onion, garlic powder, pepper, salt, and egg. Mix until combined.
- Roll Meatballs: Roll into 12 large meatballs or 20 small meatballs.
- Cook: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter. Add the meatballs and cook for 7-8 minutes, turning continuously until brown on each side and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil.
- Make the sauce: Add 4 Tablespoons butter and flour to the skillet and whisk until it turns brown.
- Whisk: Slowly stir in beef broth and heavy cream, and whisk to combine.
- Add meatballs and simmer: Add Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard, and bring to a simmer until the sauce starts to thicken. Salt and pepper to taste. Add the meatballs back to the skillet and simmer for another 1-2 minutes. Serve over egg noodles or mashed potatoes.
All Things Swedish Meatballs
I know how much you love my Swedish meatballs! I’ve rounded up every version of a Swedish meatball recipe that I have on my site, from quick and easy to homemade favorites! You can find them all in one place!
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Swedish Meatballs
Tender, flavorful Swedish meatballs that simmer in a rich, creamy sauce are pure comfort food! They're easy to make and impossible to resist.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ cup onion, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine 1 pound ground beef, 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs, 1 tablespoon parsley, 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, ¼ cup onion, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ⅛ teaspoon pepper, ½ teaspoon salt, and 1 egg. Mix until combined.
- Roll into 12 large meatballs or 20 small meatballs. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter. Add the meatballs and cook for 7-8 minutes, turning continuously until brown on each side and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil.
- Add 4 tablespoons butter and 3 tablespoons flour to the skillet and whisk until it turns brown. Slowly stir in 2 cups beef broth and 1 cup heavy cream. Add 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard and bring to a simmer until the sauce starts to thicken. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the meatballs back to the skillet and simmer for another 1-2 minutes. Serve over egg noodles or mashed potatoes.
Video
Notes
Can You Freeze Swedish Meatballs?
- Freezing Cooked Meatballs: Let them cool, then freeze them on a baking sheet until solid (2–4 hours). Transfer to a freezer bag or an airtight container. They’ll keep up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or warm them up in the sauce.
- Skip Freezing the Sauce: Creamy sauces don’t freeze well—they can separate. For best results, make the gravy fresh when you’re ready to serve.
Nutrition
Calories: 499kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 17gFat: 43gSaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 162mgSodium: 712mgPotassium: 327mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 987IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 59mgIron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!
More Yummy Meatball Recipes
can I add some buttermilk instead of heavy cream
Hi!
Thanks for the question! Yes, you can use buttermilk but it may not be as thick. Thank you for following along with me!
can I use buttermilk instead of heavy cream
Hi!
Yes, you can sure try buttermilk instead. It may however make it a little less thick. I hope you love it! Thanks for following along with me!
I never had Swedish meatballs before tonight. They are sooo good. My son (35) ate 3 helpings!
I want to hate Alyssa because she’s so dang perfect, but I just can’t because these really are the best Swedish meatballs. No modifications necessary, perfect as is. I sometimes use this recipe to make hamburgers and they are the juiciest. Try a lingonberry burger – shape the meat into a burger, cook, place the burger on a bun with the gravy and lingonberry. It’s amazing.
Super good, but could use a bit more flavor !
If I don’t have enuff beef stock what can I add to make it be the 2 cups needed?
You can always add chicken stock or water.
Love this recipe! Wasy, quick, and delicious!
I love Swedish Meatballs and have tried so many recipes over the years. Need to try your version.
I have just finished making this meal and Oh my gosh, it is just beautiful.
Such an easy meal and great to make ahead and that sauce, well, I could drink it.
Thank you for sharing such an amazing meal.
LOVE, this recipe. I think if I made this for a group, I would leave out the dijon because you can definitely taste it, some people might not like that. I added a little beef bouillon, cayenne, and garlic powder(I live in the south?). Also threw in corn starch to thicken my gravy quicker! Oh and I completely forgot to put egg in my meatballs!! ??♀️ They still came out good tho.
I have everything but nutmeg. Would this still be delicious without it or is there a good substitution?
Yes, it will still be delicious without it.
Thank you. Egg noodles are finishing up. Tasted the gravy and it tastes awesome. I’ve never personally had Swedish meatballs, my boyfriend requested this dish and he says it tastes great as well. Thank you!
This was amazing. I was a little hesitant on putting Dijon mustard in this, but that really put this dish over the top. The only change I made was dried parsley — as I used up all of my fresh stuff from the garden. Absolutely superb. Thank You!!!
These really were delicious and easy. We were having guests over so I needed to increase the recipe. I used 2lbs of turkey and 1lb of beef. Only used a half a cup of cream and the gravy was still delicious. Everyone raved and wished that I had made more. This recipe is a keeper.
Made this into a meatloaf and added Sherry like the recipe States, I also used french onion soup mix in ground turkey with black pepper and omitted the nutmeg spice has since I didn’t have any on hand what’s a gravy made it delicious
These were awesome but as usual I am a modification cook. I added extra bullion to the beef to make it stronger and added 2 T sherry in the sauce with some garlic. I also doubled the dijon an worsheshire sauce. It was a hit with a local chef who wants the recipe. 2 thumbs up!
I was lazy and bought frozen meatballs, but otherwise I followed the recipe fully except for sprinkling in a little more flour to thicken the gravy. Turned out awesome! My wife was hospitalized a few years ago and still has nightmares about the hospital Swedish meatballs. She vowed to never eat the dish again. I took a chance. These changes her mind!
I tried this recipe. It was quick and easy, very tasty.
These are delicious. My 19 year old son loved them and my husband raved about them. The only downside is they were a little more work than I anticipated. The work is cooking them in batches over the stove. That process took about twenty minutes. As much as my family loved them, I am going to try the slow cooker version the next time. The flavor is phenomenal.
Honestly, I line my pans with foil for easier clean up but you don’t have to. Line a shallow cookie sheet baking pan with aluminum foil. I use the extra long foil and it will generally cover up to the edges of my shallow baking sheet. Place meat balls on the sheet in the oven at 350 for about 10-12 min. There will still be plenty of grease to make your roux when you remove your pan from the oven use a slotted spoon or tongs and put meat balls in a dish. Then poor the grease from the pan(s) into the skillet and proceed with recipe using the flour to make your roux. Throw out the foil when your done.