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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!
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Delicious! Next time I’d cook the meatballs in the oven @ 400 F for 12ish mins or until the outside are browned and inside is cooked through (the onions burned in the pan and my house filled with smoke). Also, the sauce should be cooked on a low heat otherwise the cream will curdle (I had to start this part over because medium heat was too high). I served it with roasted broccoli and mashed potatoes and I’ll definitely be making these again
That sounds great! Thanks so much for letting me know! I love your ideas and the way you have made it your own!! XOXO
Just wanted to say that the Swedish Meatballs recipe is delicious. I fixed this fish for our dinner this eve, everyone enjoyed it. Thanks for the recipes. Look forward to trying more.
That is great to hear! Thanks so much for sharing!! XOXO
This is my go-to recipe for Swedish meatballs. My only addition/change is to add 1 tablespoon of brown sugar. My family loves this recipe so much I usually 1 and a half times the meat and double the gravy.
Brown sugar always helps in any recipe:)! Just an extra sweet flavor! I am so happy you loved it and it turned out great for you! XOXO
They were completely gobbled up and the husband LOVED them! Needless to say, I’m cooking them again right now- only difference this time is the recipe is doubled!! Thanks, Alyssa! ?
That is AWESOME! Makes my heart happy! I am so glad it is loved by all!! Thanks for sharing! XOXO
Thanks for the great recipe! It was super delicious and easy to make.
AWE! Thanks so much! I am so happy to hear that! XOXO
These are delicious! I make them a lot, I was inspired by Ikea and serve mine over mashed potatoes and peas with some cranberry sauce on the side. It’s divine.
That does sound divine! Thank you so much for sharing! I am hungry now;)! XOXO
Made this for dinner last night. It was yummy! Thanks!
That is great to hear! Thanks for sharing!! XOXO
These were amazing! We all loved them so much. I served them with mashed potatoes and steamed carrots. I definitely have to make them again because I keep thinking about them. They were sooooo good!
I made this for dinner tonight as written. It was really good. Thank you for posting it. I plan on making it again.
That is great to hear! Thanks so much for sharing! XOXO
Best swedish meatball (and easiest). Many thanks to you!
AWE!! Thank you so much! That means a lot! They are super simple and taste delicious! XOXO
Do you use the same skillet for the meatballs and the gravy or do you use a clean one?
First time I made this it was great, and I made it last night for my neighbors too. They loved it. Only thing I do is add 1 extra spoonful of Dijon and Worcestershire sauce to it to add a little extra flavor. Thanks for sharing a delicious recipe!!
That sounds even better!! I love your addition of the extra flavor!! That all sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing!! XOXO
Made this last night and it was amazing! Thank you. The kids even has seconds!!
I actually doubled recipe too and turned out perfect.
That is always a great feeling to see everyone eating seconds!! I am so happy to hear! Thanks for sharing!!XOXO
Really yum. But even though I followed the recipe, gravy was far to thick and I ended up adding another cup of broth. Will back off the flour next time to half the amount. Will make again VERY soon. Cheers
That is awesome to hear!! Thanks for your feedback and letting me know how it turned out! I am glad that you are able to adapt it your way!! XOXO
I have made this before and let me say..OMG! DELICIOUS………love it!
Oh That is AWESOME!! Thanks for sharing! It is one of our families favorite too!!
All that grease is going to add a lot of flavor to your sauce, so I always embrace it. If you want less grease, use a ground beef with a lower fat content. But if it’s truly a lot, maybe cut back on the butter for the sauce.