An Easy Swedish Meatball Recipe To Stay In For
Ikea Swedish meatballs have a time and a place (namely when you’re there anyway, and super hungry from all of your wanderings), and that’s great. But homemade Swedish meatballs are so tender, so fresh, and so flavorful. Rich with both pork and beef, and seasoned generously with parsley, allspice, nutmeg, grated onion, salt, pepper, and garlic, Swedish meatballs get half of their goodness from the creamy, peppery gravy that they’re simmered in, and our Swedish meatball sauce is totally irresistible. You know that meatball recipes are one of our most beloved dinnertime staples. Though mashed potatoes are a go-to side for serving authentic Swedish meatballs, you could also try serving them with Steamed Broccoli, Garlic Bread and a big salad. For more creamy, beefy comfort, be sure to check out our classic Beef Stroganoff.
Swedish Meatball Ingredients
80/20 ground beef
Ground pork
Flat leaf parsley
Onion
Garlic
Panko breadcrumbs
Eggs
Extra-virgin olive oil
Butter
All-purpose flour
Beef stock
Lemon
Spices: Ground allspice, nutmeg, salt and pepper
Heavy cream
How Do You Make Swedish Meatballs
Prep the onions and garlic, noting that we’re asking you to grate the onion instead of slice or dice it. Grating it with a box grater will allow it to melt seamlessly into the ground beef and pork mixture.
With a light touch and taking care not to overmix, mix Swedish meatball ingredients in a large bowl and roll them out onto a sheet pan.
Fry the meatballs in a large skillet, working in batches. Tongs are handy for this. Set them aside so that you can…
Use the same skillet to make the greatest sauce for Swedish meatballs you’ve ever tasted.
Add the meatballs back to the pan and simmer them in the creamy, spiced Swedish meatball sauce!
How To Store + Tips for Making Delicious Homemade Swedish Meatballs
Take care to not make the meatballs too big. These meatballs are pan fried and contain pork. The last thing you want to do is undercook them. They should be about the size of a rounded tablespoon.
Take care while forming the meatballs that they are tight so they don’t fall apart in the pan. We like to dip our hands in water as we roll them to make them nice and smooth, and to keep the mixture from sticking to our hands. The breadcrumbs and eggs also help hold the mixture together.
Fry the meatballs in small batches. If you crowd the pan, the meatballs will steam instead of brown.
What do you eat Swedish meatballs with? Swedish meatballs are traditionally served over mashed potatoes or egg noodles, but you can do whatever you want, really. They make terrific party food, too, served on little toothpicks. You could also try serving them with Steamed Broccoli, Garlic Bread and a big salad.
Leftover Swedish meatballs and sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, and they reheat perfectly in a covered casserole dish. Heat oven to 350° and pop them in the oven for 10-15 minutes. Cover with warmed sauce and you are good to go!
For even more meatball recipe deliciousness, check out our One-Pot Chicken Meatballs & Green Curry Rice.
Tips for the BEST Swedish Meatballs
- Make small, evenly-sized meatballs. It’ll be easiest to cook them to perfection if they’re all about the same size.
- Don’t overmix the meatballs. The key to tender meatballs is gently mixing the meat mixture just until they look uniform. Then stop!
- My best trick is to dip your hands in water as you roll the meatballs! It keeps the mixture from sticking to your hands.
- Fry the meatballs in small batches. If you crowd the pan, the meatballs will steam instead of brown.
All The Yummy Meatball Recipes, Please
You know that meatball recipes are one of our most beloved dinnertime staples, here are some of our favorites:
Serving Suggestions
Swedish meatballs are traditionally served over mashed potatoes or egg noodles, but you can do whatever you want, really. Swedish meatballs are actually one of my favorite Super Bowl and holiday party foods, too! Try serving them on little toothpicks.
Let’s Call Dinner Done (And Delicious)
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How To Store Leftover Swedish Meatballs
Leftover Swedish meatballs and sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, and they reheat perfectly in a covered casserole dish. Heat oven to 350° and pop them in the oven for 10-15 minutes. Cover with warmed sauce and you are good to go!
Tips For Prep + Make Ahead
Prep the meatballs a day ahead of time, and store them in the fridge. When it’s time for the party, just pop them in the oven and make the gravy. OR make the entire dish two days ahead of time. Then, let it cool and refrigerate it until you’re ready. To warm it up, gently warm the meatballs in the gravy over low heat on the stove top, or in an oven set to 350°F for about 15 minutes until it is warmed through.
How To Freeze
You’ve got options for freezing, too! Freeze the uncooked meatballs up to 3 months. I like to freeze them on a baking sheet, then the next day, I pop them off the sheet and store them in a zipper-top freezer bag. You can also freeze cooked Swedish meatballs and gravy for up to 2 months.
