This website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my disclosure policy.
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!
Pin this now to find it later
Pin It
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
What are the numbers per serving? Thanks
This will feed about 4 to 6 people depending on how many meatballs each person has. This will give each person about 5 to 6 meatballs each.
Question What could I substitute for the dijon mustard? Or just leave out ?
You can omit the Dijon Mustard if needed.
I made the recipe with all beef last week. And, this week I used half beef and half pork. Equally delicious! Thank you for putting the recipe out there for Swedish backgrounds to see!
Can I use milk instead of heavy cream for this recipe?
Yes, you can use milk. It won’t be as rich and creamy texture but it will still have a great flavor.
I don’t have nutmeg can I use something else?
You can substitute it with cinnamon or omit it for this recipe.
So delicious! on the menu for tonight. my family of 6 loves them. one of the most requested meals in our house…
Gonna try to make this tonight. Wish me luck. The picture on facebook looks wonderful.
I’m gonna try this one just have to find a good substitute for the heavy cream because I’m lactose intolerant I love sweetish meatballs
Try canned coconut milk 🙂
I tried unsweetened soy milk (I use to be able to find unsweetened soy cream) …. sauce didn’t thicken unfortunately. Since no one else seemed to have this issue, I blame the Soy substitute…. if you find something that works, let me know! Hubby loves the stuff, but also is lactose intolerant.
Try the store brand of Lactose free milk. My son is lactose intolerant, and he buys Walmart’s brand, and it is 2.87 for half gallon. It’s worth the price if someone is lactose intolerant. He gets the fat free 0% lactose free. It comes in 1 %, 2%, and whole milk also
I’ve never made the meatballs but that sauce I have to make in triple batches because it is so well loved by my family. This is the go to request when extended family is over and it’s so easy. I make the sauce in the morning, throw it over frozen meatballs in the Crock-Pot and have the rest of the day to hang out. Freezes great too!
Can they be frozen in the sauce?
Yes, it can be or you can place the sauce in it’s own bag.
If I don’t have panko (just reg traditional bread crumbs) would that be an equal substitute?
Yes, that will work great.
This is the only recipe I use for Swedish meatballs. My family loves it so much! My now four year old daughter requests it for every special meal. The only thing I do different is I replace the onions with Lipton onion soup mix. So good!!
This is the only recipe I use b
My family loves it.
This recipe is similar to how my Mother used to make them. Only difference is she used cream of mushroom soup to make the gravy.
With using the cream of mushroom what do you omit
Whole family loved this meal! Came together quickly and I can’t wait to eat the leftovers for lunch today. I did do a few things differently. Instead of a cup of heavy cream I did 1/2 cup cream and 1/2 cup sour cream which worked perfectly. I also used ground beef and ground pork which gave the meatballs great flavor. Thanks so much for this amazing recipe!
My family loves it and I’ve made it so many times no recipe needed.
I tried it. I liked it! Very tasty and easy to make.
Love this recipe! Made it tonight and followed the directions exactly, everyone wanted seconds. The only issue I had…there were no leftovers!