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These Swedish Meatballs are smothered in the most amazing rich and creamy gravy and packed with such delicious flavor. You will quickly agree these are the BEST you have ever had!
Serve these scrumptious meatballs over buttered noodles or rice with a Caesar Salad, and these Perfectly Soft Buttery Rolls for a dinner the whole family will love!
Reasons This Recipe is the BEST!
- 300+ 5 Star Reviews: This recipe, trusted by millions, boasts over 300 five-star reviews. I am confident you’ll love it too!!
- Creamy Sauce: The secret lies in the sauce. These meatballs are crafted with a perfect blend of traditional Swedish spices and complemented by a rich, creamy gravy
- Better than IKEA: Ever had IKEA Swedish Meatballs? These ones are so easy and WAY better!
A Reader’s Review
I already have a favorite Swedish meatball recipe that I’ve been making for years. So I wasn’t sure the family would like this version and if I’d regret not sticking to my usual. Well, I can say, this is now the family Swedish meatball recipe! So perfect! The sauce was silky and delicious, and the meatballs were juicy and had a lovely flavor. Highly recommend!
-Anna
Swedish Meatball Ingredients
These meatballs have so much flavor and are easy to make! Don’t let this long list intimidate you. I bet you already have most of the ingredients in your kitchen! Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all of the exact measurements.
What’s in Swedish Meatballs?
- Ground beef: The main protein base for the meatballs, providing flavor and texture.
- Panko bread crumbs: Adds lightness and helps bind the meatballs together.
- Parsley: I use fresh parsley to enhance the taste.
- Ground allspice: Introduces a warm, slightly sweet flavor.
- Ground nutmeg: Adds a subtle nutty, warm flavor that complements the beef.
- Onion: This surprisingly adds a slight sweetness to the meatballs.
- Garlic powder: You can’t go wrong with garlic!
- Pepper: This adds in some mild heat.
- Salt: The salt enhances all of the flavors of the ingredients in the Swedish meatballs.
- Egg: Acts as a binder to hold the meatball mixture together.
- Olive oil: Used for cooking the meatballs, adding flavor and helps the meatballs to brown.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps in browning the meatballs.
What is Swedish Meatball Sauce Made of?
- Butter: Forms the base of the sauce, providing richness.
- Flour: Combined with butter to create a roux, the flours helps thicken the sauce.
- Beef broth: Adds depth of flavor and forms the liquid base of the sauce.
- Heavy cream: Provides a creamy texture and rich flavor.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds a tangy, savory depth to the sauce.
- Dijon mustard: Introduces a slight tang to the sauce without being overwhelming.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing the flavors of the sauce.
How to Make Swedish Meatballs
These will come together quick and cook in about 30 min total, so dinner is fast and easy!
- Combine beef, egg and seasonings: In a medium sized bowl combine ground beef, panko, parsley, allspice, nutmeg, onion, garlic powder, pepper, salt and egg. Mix until combined.
- Roll and cook: Roll into 12 large meatballs or 20 small meatballs. In a large skillet heat olive oil and 1 Tablespoon butter. Add the meatballs and cook turning continuously until brown on each side and cooked throughout. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil.
- Make the sauce: Add 4 Tablespoons butter and flour to skillet and whisk until it turns brown. Slowly stir in beef broth and heavy cream. Add worchestershire sauce and dijon mustard and bring to a simmer until sauce starts to thicken. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Add meatballs and simmer: Add the meatballs back to the skillet and simmer for another 1-2 minutes. Serve over egg noodles or rice.
Tips and Variations
- Meat: I love using a mix of beef and pork for these Swedish meatballs. The pork adds extra fat, making them incredibly moist and tender. If you prefer, ground turkey, chicken, or a combination can work beautifully too.
- Spices: Trust me, the nutmeg and allspice are what make these Swedish meatballs special. Don’t skip them if you want that authentic, divine flavor.
- Overmixing: Take it from me, be gentle when mixing your meat. Overmixing can make your meatballs tough, and we want them to stay tender.
- No Bread Crumbs? No Problem: If you’re out of bread crumbs, make a panade by blending two pieces of bread into crumbs and mixing with 1/4 cup milk to form a paste. Add an egg, mix it all up, and you’ll get the same great texture in your meatballs.
- Sauté for Sweetness: Sauté your onions first. It gives them a softer, sweeter flavor that really enhances the meatballs.
- Cream: Stick with heavy cream for the sauce to keep it smooth and rich. If you want to add a bit of tang, swap out some of the cream for sour cream—it’s a delicious twist.
Different Cooking Methods
- Baked: For a foolproof method, brown your Swedish meatballs in a skillet with oil and butter, then finish them in a 350°F oven. This ensures they’re cooked through without any pink.
- Slow Cooker: Try out this recipe in a slow cooker in a pinch! You an even use frozen meatballs Check out that recipe here: Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs Recipe.
Can You Freeze Swedish Meatballs?
Yes! One of the best parts about this recipe is that it’s perfect for doubling up and freezing some for later. These tips will help you enjoy delicious meatballs anytime, without sacrificing flavor or texture.
- Freeze: After cooking the meatballs, place them on a cookie sheet, ensuring they don’t touch to prevent sticking. Freeze for 2-4 hours, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. When ready to use, you can thaw them in the microwave or oven. I prefer partially cooking them in the microwave and finishing them in the sauce.
- Don’t Freeze the Sauce: Dairy-based sauces, especially those with heavy cream, can separate and turn grainy when thawed. For best results, make the rich gravy fresh when you’re ready to serve.
- Freezer to Pan: You can also freeze the meatballs raw and cook them directly from frozen. They’ll take longer to cook through but will maintain their shape better than fresh ones. Just ensure they’re fully cooked with no pink remaining.
More Yummy Meatball Recipes
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The Best Swedish Meatballs
The Best Swedish Meatballs are smothered in the most amazing rich and creamy gravy. The meatballs are packed with such delicious flavor you will agree these are the BEST you have ever had!
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 ground beef, panko, parsley, allspice, nutmeg, onion, garlic powder, pepper, salt and egg. Mix until combined.
- Roll into 12 large meatballs or 20 small meatballs. In a large skillet heat olive oil and 1 Tablespoon butter. Add the meatballs and cook turning continuously until brown on each side and cooked throughout. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil.
- Add 4 Tablespoons butter and flour to skillet and whisk until it turns brown. Slowly stir in beef broth and heavy cream. Add worchestershire sauce and dijon mustard and bring to a simmer until 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 rice.
Video
Notes
Originally Posted on August 18, 2016
Photos Updated on May 16, 2024
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!
My first attempt at Swedish Meatballs. This is an excellent recipe. I really love the taste and even a non cook like me can make it. Thank you for sharing!
Could these be baked with the same outcome?
These are absolutely delicious 😋! Highly recommended!
Sounds delicious! Going to make it and take it for our winter camping, along with a green salad and apple-cider vinaigrette. Thank you for sharing.
I made this tonight and it was delicious. I followed the recipe except for using half and half instead of heavy cream because that’s what I had. Such great comfort food and easy to make!
I made tonight great added a little sour cream to the sauce and sauté mushrooms and onions great over mashed potato served with green beans
are the panko bread crumbs seasoned or plain?
Just plain panko bread crumbs in this recipe!
I used Italian seasoned panko and I really couldn’t taste the different. It’s an really good recipe!
Your photos are amazing!! Going to try your recipe this weekend!!! Love that you used all beef 🙂
I haven’t made this yet but wonder if I used a beef gravy mix instead of making this particular recipe, if it would still be a tasty dish. I work for a non-profit agency that prepares 70 meals a day. If I follow the recipe exactly, that would require 11 cups of cream! Not in our budget. I can manage all the other ingredients, but it would be so much cheaper for us to prepare a beef gravy. Has anyone attempted to do this? Thanks for any input.
It wouldn’t be quite the same, but if you could, in lieu of the cream, afford to add a quart of half & half along with a “slurry” of corn starch and water to help thicken it, I believe that would help quite a bit.
I use a can of cream of mushroom soup and the beef broth instead of cream. Delicious
I haven’t tried gravy mix, but you could maybe try evaporated milk instead of half and half or heavy cream. It’s thick already and creamy and unsweetened. Maybe try a small batch at home to taste test first?
Good idea about the evaporated milk. My mother used it in so many recipes growing it up. In fact, if I’m not mistaken, I think she even said she fed it to us as babies, instead of formula. That was back in the late 50’s (I’m 69 not) Thanks!
Judy, the meatballs were good, but I found the sauce to be quite tasteless and thin. I had to doctor it up soooo much by adding beef bullion, some spices and even a can of cream of mushroom soup.and it still was not thick even after an hour of simmering..(I may have poured an extra cup of beef broth in, but still! I won’t used the recipe again. Next time I make the meatballs, I’m just going to use, like you said – I’m going to make a couple of packaged beef gravy mix packets, probably a can of cream of mushroom soup, and maybe some half and half (whipping cream is way to fattening and seemed like a waste). I was very disappointed considering all the work and expense. Follow your instincts and budget. Improvise, and it will still be just as good.
I use milk with no beef broth at all, just use the drippings in the pan and it’s outstanding
Made tonight and really enjoyed! I used turkey instead and added a little kitchen bouquet to darken the sauce and add a little extra flavor. Thanks for a good recipe!
Absolutely amazing sauce! I would definitely plan on doubling the sauce when you make this.
Very delicious! The gravy is outstanding.
Don’t bother trying any other recipes. This one id the best!
Agree totally!
Turned out perfect! I tweaked my Swedish grandmother’s recipe a bit and she called it Lumberjack stew, using potatoes as an accompaniment rather than noodles.
We put it over mashed potatoes. Not a big fan of noodles.
Definitely the best Swedish meatball recipe I have tried. Rich, creamy and super easy to make! I added some paprika for a little extra flavor and coloring. Only had whole all spice so I used my molcajete to grind it up, lol. Thanks for a great recipe Alyssa. I used to buy the packaged seasoning at Walmart, but they don’t sell it anymore. This is way better and just as easy to make! 30 minutes and that was taking my time! ❤️❤️❤️
Delicious!!! I was looking for something new and I took a chance. I’m so glad I did. The meatballs are tasty and the sauce cooked up so easily and quickly. Served it on rice with a salad. Yummy! Thank you for this great recipe!!!
We love this recipe definitely delicious