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+ servings
The Ultimate Swedish Meatballs

The Ultimate Swedish Meatballs

Swedish meatballs are a classic and comforting dish that everyone loves. This homemade recipe guides you through making flavorful meatballs from scratch, paired with a creamy gravy. Serve with mashed potatoes or egg noodles.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

  • 1 small onion finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • Pinch of salt
  • cup Panko bread crumbs
  • ¼ cup whole milk
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ teaspoon allspice
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Meatballs:Finely mince the small onion using a food processor or by hand.In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced onion and a pinch of salt, sauté for about 5 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat and set it aside to cool.In a large mixing bowl, combine Panko bread crumbs, whole milk, ground beef, ground pork, egg, allspice, ground nutmeg, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix well to incorporate all the ingredients evenly.Using clean hands, scoop the meatball mixture with an ice cream scoop and shape it into meatballs on a baking tray.Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and bake the meatballs for 25 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
  2. Finely mince the small onion using a food processor or by hand.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced onion and a pinch of salt, sauté for about 5 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat and set it aside to cool.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine Panko bread crumbs, whole milk, ground beef, ground pork, egg, allspice, ground nutmeg, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix well to incorporate all the ingredients evenly.
  5. Using clean hands, scoop the meatball mixture with an ice cream scoop and shape it into meatballs on a baking tray.
  6. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and bake the meatballs for 25 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
  7. Prepare the Gravy:In the same skillet used for sautéing the onion, melt the butter over medium heat. Add all-purpose flour and cook it for about 30 seconds.Gradually add beef stock to the skillet, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Adjust the salt and pepper to taste.Bring the gravy to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer.
  8. In the same skillet used for sautéing the onion, melt the butter over medium heat. Add all-purpose flour and cook it for about 30 seconds.
  9. Gradually add beef stock to the skillet, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Adjust the salt and pepper to taste.
  10. Bring the gravy to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer.
  11. Simmer the Meatballs in Gravy:Once the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to the simmering gravy and let them cook for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to blend and the gravy to thicken.Add the sour cream and mix it with the gravy until fully incorporated.Ensure the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 165°F (74°C).
  12. Once the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to the simmering gravy and let them cook for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to blend and the gravy to thicken.
  13. Add the sour cream and mix it with the gravy until fully incorporated.
  14. Ensure the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 165°F (74°C).
  15. Garnish and Serve:Garnish the Swedish meatballs with freshly chopped parsley.Serve with mashed potatoes or egg noodles and lingonberry jam for an authentic Swedish touch.
  16. Garnish the Swedish meatballs with freshly chopped parsley.
  17. Serve with mashed potatoes or egg noodles and lingonberry jam for an authentic Swedish touch.

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 28gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 9gSodium: 537mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5g

Notes

Pro Tips:
Mix your ground beef with pork and veal if possible – the veal's higher gelatin content creates that signature Swedish meatball bounce and keeps them tender without falling apart, unlike regular beef-only meatballs that can get dense.
After years of making these, I've learned to roll them slightly smaller than you think – about 1-inch diameter. They'll puff up during cooking, and smaller meatballs cook more evenly while maintaining that perfect tender interior.
Use day-old bread soaked in heavy cream, not milk or breadcrumbs. The higher fat content in cream keeps the meatballs moist during the longer cooking process needed for the cream sauce, preventing them from drying out.
Brown the meatballs in batches without overcrowding – this creates fond on the pan bottom that becomes the base for your cream sauce. Crowded meatballs steam instead of brown, and you lose that crucial flavor foundation.

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