Quick and Easy Swedish Meatballs
This quick and easy Swedish meatball recipe is a delicious 30-minute meal for busy weekdays. Tender meatballs paired with a rich, creamy sauce. Perfect for a quick lunch, snack, or cosy family dinner. Simple ingredients you can easily find at your nearby store.
If you love Swedish meatballs, you’re in for a treat! This recipe is hands-down the best you’ll ever try, and yes, it’s even better than the famous Ikea meatballs. Perfectly seasoned and incredibly flavorful, these meatballs are tender, juicy, and smothered in a rich, creamy gravy. They’re easy to make and will have everyone coming back for seconds.
I always find myself using the ingredients I have in my cupboard, especially before heading out for food shopping. I aim to utilize all the food I have to minimize food waste. It’s amazing how many interesting recipes come out of this process.
I especially enjoy quick and easy recipes that can be paired differently each time. This meatball recipe pairs wonderfully with steamed rice, Turkish bulgur, pasta, mashed or baked potatoes, a slice of freshly baked bread, or on its own with a piece of homemade tortilla.
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This Swedish Meatball dish is ideal for a fast meal on busy days. Whether served as a main course or a snack, it’s bound to leave everyone wanting more. You should also try our Lemon Chicken, Easy 15-minute Udon Noodles, Turkey Mince Noodles, or Gnocchi made easy with Pesto and Zucchini for a quick delicious lunch or dinner.
Looking for more? Check out these Dinner Recipes!
Why you’ll love this recipe
This recipe for Swedish meatballs is a hit because it’s quick, easy, and uses basic ingredients. Swedish meatballs are always a family favorite, and here they’re made even tastier with a rich, creamy sauce.
It’s a simple dish that’s perfect for busy nights, and you can pair it with any side dish you like. Since it’s homemade, you know exactly what goes into it, making it a healthier choice. Kids love it too, and it’s low in calories, so it’s a win-win for everyone at the table.
A make-ahead-friendly recipe that you can prepare in advance, store, and reheat when needed, making it a great option for meal prepping.
Ingredients to make Swedish Meatballs
Meatball Ingredients
- Beef mince meat: This is the primary ingredient for the meatballs, providing the base protein. Choose ground beef with some fat content (about 80-85%) to ensure the meatballs are juicy and flavorful.
- Large onion, chopped: Adds sweetness and depth of flavor to the meatballs. The chopped onion also helps keep the meatballs moist.
- Eggs: Act as a binder to help hold the meatballs together, ensuring they don’t fall apart during cooking.
- Bread crumbs: These help to absorb moisture and keep the meatballs tender. They also contribute to the overall texture.
- Garlic: Fresh is best to be used, it has a stronger kick.
- Parsley and dill, chopped: Fresh herbs that add a burst of flavor and freshness to the meatballs. Parsley offers a mild, peppery taste, while dill adds a hint of anise-like sweetness.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall flavor of the meatballs. Adjust according to your preference.
Sauce Ingredients
- Butter: Used for frying the meatballs and forming the base of the sauce. The butter adds richness and flavor.
- Flour: Combined with butter to make a roux, which thickens the sauce and gives it a smooth, creamy texture.
- Beef stock cube mixed with hot water: This creates a flavorful broth that forms the liquid base of the sauce. The beef stock cube provides a concentrated beef flavor, which enhances the overall taste of the sauce.
Substitutions
For the meatballs:
- Ground beef: Ground turkey or chicken can be used as alternatives.
- Onion, finely chopped: Shallots or leeks are also good.
- Eggs: A flaxseed or chia seed egg can be substituted for a vegan option.
- Breadcrumbs: Panko or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Garlic: You can use powder or granules instead or frozen chopped garlic.
- Fresh herbs: Cilantro, basil, or thyme can also be used.
For the sauce:
- Butter: Olive oil or vegetable oil can be substituted.
- Flour: All-purpose or gluten-free flour or cornstarch can be used.
- Beef stock: Gravy granules, chicken or vegetable broth can be substituted.
Expert Tips
- Choose the Right Meat: Opt for ground beef with a higher fat content (around 80-85%) to ensure juicy and flavorful meatballs. For a lighter option, use a combination of ground turkey or chicken.
- Brown the Meatballs Well: When frying the meatballs, make sure to brown them well on all sides. This step not only adds flavour through caramelization but also helps to seal in the juices, keeping the meatballs moist and tender. Use a hot skillet and avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure even browning.
- Simmer in the Sauce: After browning the meatballs, simmer them in the sauce for an additional 10 minutes. This allows the flavours to meld together and ensures the meatballs are fully cooked through. Plus, it gives the meatballs a chance to absorb the delicious flavors of the sauce.
Storage and Leftovers
Storage: Store cooked meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating: Gently reheat meatballs in a skillet with butter or oil over low heat or in the microwave at 30-second intervals until warmed through.
Freezing: Freeze cooled meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
Reheating from Frozen: Bake frozen meatballs in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through.
Leftover Ideas: Serve meatballs over pasta or mashed potatoes, in a sandwich, in soups or stews, or cold in salads or wraps.
FAQs
Swedish meatballs are smaller and often seasoned with warm spices like allspice or nutmeg. They are served with a creamy gravy made with beef or chicken stock and heavy cream, typically alongside mashed potatoes or lingonberry sauce.
Yes, ground turkey or chicken can be used as a leaner alternative to beef and pork. Just keep in mind that the flavor and texture may differ slightly from the traditional version.
Swedish meatballs pair well with creamy mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or steamed rice. Lingonberry sauce or cranberry sauce adds a sweet and tangy contrast to the savory dish.
Yes! You can prepare the meatballs and sauce in advance. Store them separately in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them together on the stovetop before serving.
Absolutely! Freeze the cooked meatballs and sauce separately for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat gently on the stove or in the oven.
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Swedish Meatballs
Equipment
- Large pot (for boiling meatballs)
- Large mixing bowl (to combine meatball ingredients)
- Large skillet (for browning meatballs and making the sauce)
- Wooden spoon or spatula (for stirring and mixing)
- Tongs or fork (for turning the meatballs while browning)
- Measuring cups and spoons (for precise ingredient measurements)
- Whisk (to avoid lumps when making the roux)
- Slotted spoon (for removing meatballs from water)
Ingredients
- 500 g beef mince meat 1.1 lbs
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup bread crumbs
- 5 garlic cloves grated or minced
- Parsley and dill chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce (double the quantities for more sauce):
- 50 g butter 3.5 tbsp
- 3 tbsp flour or corn starch
- 2 beef stock cubes
- 500 ml hot water 2 cups
Instructions
- Start by filling a deep pot with water and bring it to a boil.
- While the water heats up, grab a large bowl and combine the following ingredients: beef mince, chopped onion, eggs, bread crumbs, minced garlic, chopped parsley or dill, salt and pepper.1 large onion, 2 eggs, ½ cup bread crumbs, 5 garlic cloves, 500 ml hot water, Parsley and dill, Salt and pepper to taste
- Mix everything until well combined. If the mixture feels a bit too stiff, add a splash of water to soften it up. Once ready, shape the mixture into meatballs, aiming for about 1 inch in diameter.
- When the water in the pot is boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and gently drop the meatballs in. Cook them until they float to the surface, then leave them for an extra 5 minutes to keep them soft and tender.
- In a large skillet, melt some butter over medium heat. Add the meatballs in small batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook until they're browned on all sides and cooked through—about 5 minutes per batch. Once done, remove them from the skillet and set aside.50 g butter, 3 tbsp flour or corn starch, 2 beef stock cubes
- Using the same skillet, crumble beef stock into the pan, stirring until dissolved. Add flour and stir constantly to make a smooth roux. Let it cook for about a minute until the flour turns lightly brown. Gradually pour hot water into the roux, stirring the entire time to keep it smooth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce thickens, around 5 minutes.
- Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, making sure they’re well-coated in the sauce. Lower the heat and let them simmer for another 5 minutes so the flavors can blend.
- Serve these Swedish meatballs with mashed potatoes, peas, and a spoonful of cranberry or lingonberry jam. Top with a sprinkle of fresh dill or parsley, or leave them plain—your choice.
- These Swedish meatballs are sure to be a hit with family or friends—enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Use ground beef with 80-85% fat for juicy meatballs.
- Chop onions finely for added sweetness and moisture.
- Don't overmix the meat mixture; handle it gently.
- Brown meatballs before simmering to seal in flavor.
- Serve with lingonberry jam for a traditional touch.
- Pair with mashed potatoes or egg noodles for a hearty meal.
Nutrition
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So easy and flavorful. My family loved this recipe and will be adding it to our weeknight dinner rotation!
Such a classic dinner dish that my family loves. They finish their plates every time I make it and I love that it’s so easy to meal prep. Great recipe!
Swedish meatballs are always a hit with the family. Perfect for an easy weeknight meal. Great for batch cooking and putting some in the freezer for later.
These meatballs were so quick and delicious! The whole family loved them. Perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Yours are even better than IKEA’s!! My family asked me to make them again ASAP!! They’re delicious.
Swedish meatballs are something I can’t resist!
I love that this recipe of yours is well explained, can be prepared in a short time, and with simple and natural ingredients.
The video of the recipe makes my mouth water… Thanks for sharing
I love Swedish meatballs, these turned out absolutely delicious, will be making again next week.