Swedish Meatballs are a beloved comfort food made famous by IKEA, but they’re even better when made at home! These juicy meatballs are simmered in a creamy brown gravy with a touch of nutmeg and allspice, making them rich, savory, and perfect for family dinners. Serve them over mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or rice for the ultimate cozy meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 6
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1/2 lb (225 g) ground pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 small onion, finely grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp butter (for frying)
For the Creamy Gravy:
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, soak breadcrumbs in milk for 5 minutes. Add ground beef, pork, egg, onion, garlic, spices, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until combined.
- Shape Meatballs: Roll mixture into 1-inch balls and place on a tray.
- Cook Meatballs: Melt butter in a skillet. Fry meatballs in batches until browned on all sides (they will finish cooking in the sauce). Remove and set aside.
- Make Gravy: In the same skillet, melt butter, whisk in flour, and cook for 1–2 minutes. Slowly whisk in beef broth until smooth. Stir in cream, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard. Simmer until thickened.
- Combine: Add meatballs back to the skillet and simmer for 10 minutes until cooked through and coated in sauce.
- Serve: Traditionally served with mashed potatoes or egg noodles, and a spoonful of lingonberry jam.
Tips & Variations
- For authentic flavor, don’t skip the nutmeg and allspice.
- Use half beef and half pork for the juiciest texture.
- Add a splash of soy sauce to the gravy for extra umami.
- Freeze leftovers for up to 2 months.
Serving Suggestions
- Classic: Mashed potatoes with lingonberry jam
- Quick: Buttered egg noodles
- Light: Steamed vegetables or cauliflower rice
