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4.6 from 135 votes

Swedish Meatballs

These Swedish Meatballs are the mother of all meatballs in an epic creamy gravy. These savory and delicious meatballs are perfectly seasoned and spiced a hint of nutmeg and allspice. They're great served over noodles or creamy mashed potatoes.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 397 kcal
Course: Main Course , Dinner
Cuisine: Swedish

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 yolks
  • ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon 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 pepper or to taste
  • ¾ cup sour cream

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Garnish and serve. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve over noodles or Mashed Potatoes.

Notes

  • °
  • Nutritional information is for meatballs and gravy only.
  • This recipe will work with any type of ground meat. 
  • Recipe should yield about 35 meatballs.
  • Baking directions: Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray, or use a baking rack. Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes until golden brown.
  • To freeze the meatballs and gravy, let them cool completely at room temperature. Transfer them to a freezer safe container and place them in the freezer for up to two months.
  • Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 or 4 days.
  • Make-ahead: Prep the meatballs and fry them as instructed, then refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 4 days. When ready to serve make the gravy and reheat the meatballs in the gravy, right before serving.
  • For leaner meatballs use ground chicken or turkey or a combination of both.
  • You can also sub the sour cream with heavy cream or yogurt if you're looking for more of a reduced fat version of gravy.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 397kcal (20%) Carbohydrates 11g (4%) Protein 27g (54%) Fat 27g (42%) Saturated Fat 12g (60%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 10g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 154mg (51%) Sodium 367mg (15%) Potassium 523mg (15%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 427IU (9%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 70mg (7%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 397

% 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.