Swedish Meatballs

My family loves when I make meatballs for a main dish recipes or as an appetizer. Their favorites include Alfredo Meatballs and Italian Meatballs but these Swedish Meatballs are now always requested! The combination of the ground beef and ground pork, simple spices and creamy gravy makes these meatballs full of amazing taste!

We love to serve over mashed potatoes but noodles or rice are also delicious. Once you try these you will agree that these are the Best Meatballs you have ever tasted!

Why This Recipe Works

Homemade meatballs are easy to make and create a recipe everyone will love. The ingredients are simple and are completely customizable.

These Tender Swedish Meatballs are bursting with rich, savory flavors, crispy texture and even better served with the homemade creamy gravy.

Ingredients

• Ground Beef – We used Ground Beef that is 80/20
• Ground Pork – You can use any type of ground pork
• Yellow Onion – Finely chop onion with a vegetable chopper. We have even added 1 tsp minced garlic or garlic powder for even more flavor.
• Panko Breadcrumbs – Helps to bind the meatballs together
• Eggs – Whisk the large eggs together before adding to the meatball mixture
• Salt – Use kosher salt or regular salt
• Ground Allspice – If you are out, see The Best AllSpice Substitutes
• Ground Nutmeg – Adds a nutty, warm flavor to the meatballs
• Olive Oil – Helps the meatballs to brown
• Butter – We used unsalted butter
• All Purpose Flour – Helps to thicken the sauce
• Beef Broth – The liquid base and adds so much flavor
• Worcestershire Sauce – If you are out, see Homemade Worcestershire Sauce Recipe or The Best Worcestershire Sauce Substitutes. We even like to add in 1 tablespoon of Dijon Mustard for even more flavor.
• Sour Cream – You can use 1 cup of heavy cream instead of the sour cream if you prefer. 

Scroll to the bottom for the recipe in the recipe card.

How to Make Swedish Meatballs

Step 1 – In a large bowl, combine the onion, bread crumbs, whisked eggs, salt, allspice, nutmeg and black pepper.  Then gently stir in the 1 pound ground beef and 1 lbs ground pork without over mixing so that the meatballs are not tough.  

Step 2 – Roll the meat mixture into 1 ½ inch meatballs.  Place them on a baking sheet or plate and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes so that they do not fall apart when cooking.  

Step 3 – Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Brown the meatballs in the skillet for approximately 1 minute per side. 

Step 4 – Melt the butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Use a spatula to scrape off the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2-3 minutes, whisking continuously, until the flour begins to brown. 

Step 5 – Slowly whisk in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a low simmer. Whisk in the Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper.  

Step 6 – Place the sour cream in a small mixing bowl. Spoon some of the sauce from the pan into the bowl with the sour cream and stir until well combined. 

Step 7 – Stir this mixture into the pan.  Heat on low heat until well incorporated. 

Step 8 – Add the meatballs back to the skillet.  Cover them with the sauce. Cover and heat over low heat for 10-15 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through. Serve warm topped with fresh parsley and enjoy!

Recipe Tips

• Combine Ingredients – I find it’s best to stir in the ground beef and pork into the meatball mixture with your hands to ensure that the seasonings are evenly distributed. You can use a wooden spoon but in my experience, hands work best.  
• Sour Cream – It’s important to mix some of the sauce from the pan with the sour cream before adding it to the pan. So that the sour cream does not curdle and blends well into the sauce.  
• Cooking Meatballs – Use an instant read meat thermometer to make sure that the meatballs are cooked to a safe temperature of 165 degrees F. Cooking time will vary. We recommend making meatballs about the same size so they cook evenly.
• Cook in Batches – Remove the meatballs from the pan and continue this process until all the meatballs are browned.  You will likely need to brown the meatballs in batches based on the size of your skillet.  

Can I Make Meatballs in the Oven?

Yes, you can finish cooking the meatballs in the oven. We like to cook in the skillet then transfer to a baking sheet to finish cooking.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes or until there is no longer pink in the center.

What to Serve with Swedish Meatballs?

Swedish Meatballs make a great main dish recipe. Enjoy with your favorite side dish recipes for a complete meal that everyone will love.

• Sautéed Green Beans
• Best Mashed Potatoes
• Instant pot White Rice Recipe
• Microwave Brown Rice
• Crockpot Cranberry Sauce
• Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes

They are even great served as is or over Homemade Egg Noodles Recipe.