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
I added one packet of beef onion soup mix and a little more sour cream!
So delicious.
What can I sub for Worcestershire sauce? Will it change the taste?
Do you leave the grease in the pan after cooking the meatballs, for the sauce?
If it is a lot you are welcome to take a paper towel and quickly wipe it off.
My son is recovering from pancreatitis and a gallbladder removal and has to limit his fat and dairy intake. He loves Swedish Meatballs and was really craving them. I substituted ground turkey, low fat chicken broth, vegan plant based butter and a plant based half n half.
Turned out rich, creamy (dairy free) and delicious!
Thanks for adding this info! I too was wondering how to lower the fat and glad this turned out good doing so!
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing.❤️
I’ve been wanting to make these and also make enough to freeze for easy protein options. They are so good!! Thank you for sharing the recipe! I doubled the recipe and made 40 meatballs out of it. ❤️
My family and I loved this recipe! I added ground pork for some extra flavor and sauted sliced baby Bella mushrooms to the sauce. The only think I would do differently would be to saute the onions rather than adding fresh chopped onion. Not a complaint, just an adjustment i’ll make for next time. I’d be adding this the to dinner rotation for sure!
Wow! Really good recipe! I had always used the packaged mix. But that doesn’t even come close to this. I doubled the recipe and added portabella mushrooms. My husband LOVES it! This will be on the regular menu. Thank so much for this great recipe!?
I totally agree?
I used vegetarian meatballs and used vegetable broth instead of beef broth. THIS WAS DELICIOUS!!!! Will definitely make again. Even my meat-eating family LOVED this meal!Traci
This is exactly what I plan to do!
Can you make these in a crockpot? Or could you cook the meatballs in the oven and then make the sauce on the stove top and then add them to the sauce?
Yes, this will cook on low in the crockpot for 3 to 4 hours long or until they are cooked through.
Can I omit the mustard?
Ty
Yes, no problem!
You are the boss in your kitchen ?
I cooked this tonight. It was quick and easy. I used bone broth and I had no heavy cream so I used evaporated milk and gluten free flour. It tasted amazing. Will add this to our meal plan.
I have never made Swedish meatballs before. The recipe was so it and the family loved them. Will be a repeat for our family.
Of course my family knows Swedish meatballs from Ikea. So when i decided to try and make them at home i searched for a recipe. I had made another recipe recently that i didn’t love. It was okay just not outstanding. I found yours and liked the sounds of it so much more. So glad i tried it because it turned out so much better than the other one i made. My husband said it was delicious and 2 thumbs up. I even happened to find some lingonberry sauce at the market as i was standing in line. It was meant to be. So good, thank you for an excellent dish. Will most certainly make again.
Can’t wait to try it can I substitute cream cheese for heavy cream?
Yes, that sounds great!
So yummy!! This recipe did NOT disappoint! I have made other Swedish meatball recipes before, but this one is the best. Only change I made was using half ground beef and half ground pork.
Absolutely delicious…and easy to prepare!
Can leftovers be reheated since the gravy has heavy cream?
Yes! Reheat slowly on low heat, stirring occasionally.
This was so yum and the family loved it both times i made it and i have fussy lil boys. The 2nd time i actually had planned to make it with turkey but ran out of time to do the meatballs so just cooked it with the mince and flavour was still great, just had to cook sauce down a bit more and added vegies. Did add extra mustard because we love it and was so yum.