I don’t learn about you, however I can’t go to Ikea with out getting a few of their iconic Swedish meatballs. However I can’t go to Ikea each time that craving hits, so we determined to make a budget-friendly selfmade model that’s simple sufficient for a comfortable weeknight dinner, but indulgent sufficient for a formidable, dinner-party major. Each hearty and comforting, these Swedish meatballs are like a hug in a dish!
![Overhead view of a bowl of mashed potatoes topped with Swedish meatballs.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Swedish-Meatballs-V1.jpg)
What are Swedish Meatballs?
Köttbullar, recognized in English as “Swedish meatballs” is a conventional Scandinavian dish of meatballs and gravy. In contrast to Italian meatballs, the meat combination for Swedish meatballs is flavored with allspice (and generally nutmeg), and after searing, they’re nestled right into a creamy gravy fortified with beef broth fairly than a spicy, garlicky tomato sauce.
What to serve with Swedish meatballs
Swedish meatballs are usually served with mashed potatoes. (We like ours with slightly minced parsley and contemporary cracked pepper on prime, too!) However they’re additionally nice served over egg noodles, or something that can function a automobile for that scrumptious gravy!
Conventional interpretations of this dish regularly embrace a slightly-sweetened Lingonberry jam (a wild, lowbush berry native to Sweden), which has the same taste to cranberries or crimson currants. In case you have leftover cranberry sauce from the vacations, that makes an incredible addition to this meal.
Are you able to Make Them Forward?
Sure, you may make the meatballs a day forward. If making a bigger amount, sear in batches, taking care that every meatball is cooked completely to an inside temperature of not less than 145℉. Enable them to chill fully earlier than refrigerating. To reheat, unfold them out on a parchment-lined sheet pan at 375℉ when you make the gravy, after which proceed with the recipe as written. As soon as they’ve simmered within the sauce, every meatball ought to attain an inside temperature of 165℉ earlier than serving.
![Close up side view of Swedish Meatballs in the skillet.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Swedish-Meatballs-side.jpg)
Swedish Meatballs
Swedish meatballs are a scrumptious and comfy meal that’s simple sufficient to organize for a weeknight dinner however fancy sufficient for an important day.
![Overhead view of a bowl full of mashed potatoes and Swedish Meatballs.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Swedish-Meatballs-bowl-500x500.jpg)
Meatballs
- 1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs ($0.20)
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg ($0.03)
- 1/4 tsp allspice ($0.03)
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder ($0.02)
- 1/4 tsp salt ($0.02)
- 1/2 lb. floor pork ($0.99)
- 1/2 lb. floor beef ($2.65)
- 1 giant egg, evenly whisked ($0.32)
Gravy
- 4 Tbsp butter, divided ($0.60)
- 4 Tbsp all-purpose flour ($0.03)
- 2 cups beef broth* ($0.24)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce ($0.02)
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg ($0.01)
- 1/3 cup heavy cream ($0.55)
- 1/4 tsp freshly cracked pepper ($0.02)
- 1 Tbsp chopped contemporary parsley (optionally available garnish) ($0.10)
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In a medium bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, nutmeg, allspice, garlic powder, and salt. (Be aware: Mixing the dry substances first will make sure the seasoning is evenly distributed all through the meatballs and forestall you from overworking the meat combination.)
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In the meantime, add the pork and beef to a big bowl. Flippantly whisk the egg, then add it to the bowl with the meat. Lastly, add the breadcrumb combination.
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Use your arms to combine the meat and seasonings collectively till evenly mixed, however keep away from overmixing.
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Divide and form the meat combination into 16 meatballs, about 1.5 Tbsp every.
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Add 1 Tbsp of the butter to a big skillet and warmth over medium. When the butter is melted and foaming, add the meatballs. Cook dinner for a minute or two on both sides, or till properly browned. The meatballs don’t should be cooked by way of at this level.
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Take away the browned meatballs from the skillet. Add the remaining 3 Tbsp butter and the flour. Whisk the butter and flour collectively because the butter melts. Cook dinner the butter and flour combination for about two minutes.
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Slowly whisk within the beef broth, ensuring to launch all the browned bits off the underside of the skillet. Enable the broth to come back as much as a simmer, at which level it’ll thicken.
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Stir within the Worcestershire sauce, pepper, nutmeg, and heavy cream. Style the gravy and alter the salt or seasonings to your liking.
See how we calculate recipe prices right here.
*We use Higher Than Bouillon to make our broth. If utilizing a low-sodium broth it’s possible you’ll want so as to add extra salt to the gravy for style.
Serving: 1servingEnergy: 545kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 25gFats: 44gSodium: 844mgFiber: 1g
![Overhead view of Swedish Meatballs in the skillet.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Swedish-Meatballs-skillet.jpg)
The best way to Make Swedish Meatballs – Step by Step Pictures
![Breadcrumbs and spices in a bowl.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/1-Breadcrumbs-and-Spices.jpg)
Add ¼ cup plain breadcrumbs to a bowl together with ¼ tsp nutmeg, ¼ tsp allspice, ¼ tsp garlic powder, and ¼ tsp salt and stir till evenly mixed.
![Meatballs ingredients in a bowl.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2-Meatball-Ingredients.jpg)
Add ½ lb. floor pork, ½ lb. floor beef, the breadcrumb combination, and one evenly whisked giant egg to a bowl. Use your arms to combine the substances collectively till evenly mixed. Keep away from over-mixing as a result of that can make the meatballs powerful.
![Shaped meatballs on a red cutting board.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/3-Shaped-Meatballs.jpg)
Divide the combination into 16 meatballs, about 1.5 Tbsp every, and form them into balls.
![Browned meatballs in the skillet.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/4-Browned-Meatballs.jpg)
Add 1 Tbsp butter to a big skillet and warmth over medium. When the butter is melted and foaming, add the meatballs. Cook dinner the meatballs, turning often till they’re properly browned. The meatballs don’t should be cooked by way of at this level.
![Butter and flour added to the skillet, meatballs removed.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/5-Butter-and-Flour.jpg)
Take away the browned meatballs from the skillet and add 4 Tbsp all-purpose flour and the remaining 3 Tbsp butter to the skillet.
![Roux being whisked in the skillet.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/6-Roux.jpg)
Proceed to prepare dinner the butter and flour over medium warmth for about 2 minutes, whisking always.
![Beef broth being poured into the skillet.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/7-Broth.jpg)
Slowly pour in 2 cups beef broth whereas whisking, ensuring to dissolve any browned bits off the underside of the skillet. Cook dinner and stir the combination over medium warmth till it comes as much as a simmer, at which level it’ll thicken right into a gravy.
![Cream and spices added to the gravy in the skillet.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/8-Spices-and-Cream.jpg)
Add 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, ⅛ tsp nutmeg, ¼ tsp pepper, and ⅓ cup heavy cream to the gravy, and stir to mix. Style the gravy and alter the salt or different seasonings to your liking.
![Meatballs being added back to the skillet.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9-Return-Meatballs.jpg)
Add the meatballs again to the skillet and stir to coat within the gravy.
![Finished Swedish meatballs in the skillet with gravy.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/10-Finished-Swedish-Meatballs.jpg)
Let the meatballs simmer within the sauce till cooked by way of (about 5 minutes).
![](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Swedish-Meatballs-bowl.jpg)
Serve the meatballs and gravy over a mattress of mashed potatoes or egg noodles. High with chopped parsley and extra pepper if desired.
![Super close up image of Swedish meatballs in gravy.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Swedish-Meatballs-V3.jpg)
Ooooh, take a look at that gravy! So lush!