Swedish Meatballs
User Reviews
4.6
-
Prep Time
20 mins
-
Cook Time
30 mins
-
Total Time
50 mins
-
Servings
8
-
Calories
397 kcal
-
Course
Main Course, Dinner
-
Cuisine
Swedish
Swedish Meatballs
Description
This Swedish Meatballs recipe uses ground beef or a mixture of meats combined with milk-soaked bread pieces, grated onion, egg yolks, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and allspice to create tender meatballs. Formed into approximately one-inch balls, they are cooked in butter and olive oil until evenly browned.
The sauce or gravy is made in the same skillet by melting butter and whisking in flour to form a roux, then gradually adding chicken or beef broth. The mixture is seasoned and finished by stirring in sour cream, yielding a creamy, slightly tangy sauce that complements the spiced meatballs.
This dish yields about 35 meatballs and can be served as a main course, commonly accompanied by mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam, or steamed vegetables. The flavors are traditional with familiar spices and a smooth gravy that binds the dish.
The meatballs can also be baked instead of fried or made ahead and reheated in the gravy. Freezing after cooking is possible for up to two months, with leftovers keeping refrigerated 3-4 days. Variations with leaner meats or sour cream substitutes are noted for adapting fat content.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 2 lices bread cut up into cubes
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 pounds ground beef or mixed with ground chicken
- 1 medium onion grated or chopped
- 2 egg yolk
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ground
- ¼ teaspoon allspice ground
- 2 tablespoons butter unsalted
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Gravy
- 3 tablespoons butter unsalted
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups chicken broth low sodium, or beef broth
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- ¾ cup sour cream
Instructions
- Soak the bread. Add the bread to a large mixing bowl along with the milk and toss. Set aside to let the bread soak up the milk for a couple minutes.
- Combine meatball ingredients. Add the ground meat, grated onion, egg yolks, salt, pepper, nutmeg and allspice to the bowl with the bread. Mix the meat mixture well using your clean hands. Shape the meat into 1 inch meatballs.
- Cook the meatballs. Melt the 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat and add another tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add the meatballs and fry until golden all around, about 7 minutes. If your skillet isn't big enough to fit all the meatballs, you will have to do this in batches. Transfer the meatballs to a plate.
- Make gravy. Melt the 3 tablespoons of butter in the same skillet you used for frying the meatballs. Stir and scrape all the pan drippings. Add the flour to the pan and whisk well. Add the broth and continue whisking. Season with salt and pepper and other spices if preferred. Cook for a couple minutes until the gravy thickens from the flour. Whisk in the sour cream.
- Add the meatballs to the gravy. Bring the gravy to a boil then add the meatballs to it and cook for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure meatballs don't stick to bottom of pan.
- Garnish and serve. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve over noodles or Mashed Potatoes.
Notes
- Nutritional info covers only meatballs and gravy, not side dishes.
- Meatballs can be baked at 375°F for 25 minutes if preferred over frying.
- Freeze completely cooled meatballs and gravy in airtight containers for up to two months; refrigerate leftovers for 3-4 days.
- Make ahead by frying meatballs, refrigerate separately, then reheat in freshly made gravy before serving.
- Use ground chicken or turkey for leaner meatballs or mix meats to adjust fat content.
- Sour cream in gravy can be replaced with heavy cream or yogurt for a lighter alternative.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 397 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 397kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 11g | 4% |
| Protein | 27g | 54% |
| Fat | 27g | 42% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 154mg | 51% |
| Sodium | 367mg | 15% |
| Potassium | 523mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 427IU | 9% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 70mg | 7% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
You'll Also Love
