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Swedish Meatballs

A classic comfort food featuring tender meatballs served with a rich gravy, perfect for chilly evenings or family gatherings.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Swedish
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1 lb Ground beef Substitute with ground turkey for a lighter option.
  • 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs Panko breadcrumbs add a delightful crunch.
  • 1 large Egg A flaxseed egg can be a great vegan substitute.
  • 1/4 cup Milk Use broth if avoiding dairy.
  • 1 Onion, chopped Can substitute with shallots for a sweeter flavor.
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced Builds base flavor.
  • 1 tsp Dried oregano Provides aromatic warmth.
  • 1 tsp Allspice Enhances flavor.
  • 1/4 tsp Nutmeg Adds depth.
  • to taste Salt and pepper Enhance overall taste.
For the Gravy
  • 1 cup Beef broth Keeps meatballs succulent.
  • 1 cube Chicken bouillon Adds flavor.
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce Boosts umami.
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard Adds tang.
  • 1 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped For garnish.
  • 2 tbsp Butter For making the roux.
  • 2 tbsp Flour To thicken the gravy.
  • 1/2 cup Sour cream For creaminess in the sauce.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Heat 1/2 of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic, soften for 5 minutes, and set aside to cool.
  2. In a large bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, whisked egg, milk, cooled onions/garlic, salt, oregano, allspice, nutmeg, and pepper. Incorporate the meat gently until combined.
  3. Roll into 1½-inch meatballs. Chill for 15 minutes or overnight to set.
Cooking
  1. While chilling, combine beef broth, chicken bouillon, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon, and parsley in a measuring cup. Set aside.
  2. Heat the remaining olive oil in a skillet and brown meatballs in batches for about 1 minute per side. Remove and set aside.
  3. Melt butter in the same skillet, stir in flour, and cook for 2 minutes until browned. Add beef broth mixture gradually while stirring. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
  4. Combine some of the sauce with sour cream in a bowl, then stir this back into the pan. Add meatballs back into the sauce and heat through for 10-15 minutes.
Serving
  1. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve over mashed potatoes or egg noodles.

Notes

Avoid overmixing the meat mixture to prevent dense meatballs. Chilling the mixture helps ingredients meld together harmoniously.