Beef Swedish Meatballs Recipe—Make this dish when you’re looking for a meal that’s pure comfort, has the magic of Christmas, and takes you back to your childhood. This is the one!
Imagine the juiciest beef meatballs on top of clouds of mashed potatoes drenched in a rich, silky, smooth sauce. Can you say perfect bite? Mmmmm!
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Swedish meatballs are the perfect fall comfort food. They have it all. Potatoes, rich beef, and gravy so good you’ll want to slurp it up by the spoonful.
By the way, before you jump into this recipe, I’ll bet you’ll find something else to love on this list of DELICIOUS ground beef recipes with pasta or this list of 5 FLAVORFUL beef meatballs.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe…
- These Swedish meatballs are all about that creamy, velvety sauce! It’s packed with rich flavor and warming spices and perfectly coats the tender meatballs, making every bite OMG good…it’s pure comfort food. Serve it over noodles or mashed potatoes for the ultimate weeknight meal.
- Got a busy schedule? No problem. This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for weeknights when you want something hearty without the hassle. You’ll have a delicious homemade dinner on the table in no time!
- Hosting a family gathering? Or need a cozy dinner for two? these meatballs deliver on the tasty. They’re versatile enough for a casual meal but impressive enough to serve at a Christmas, Thanksgiving, or holiday potluck.
- With their mild yet savory flavor, these meatballs are a hit with both kids and adults. Add a side of veggies or crusty bread, and you’ve got a meal that satisfies even the pickiest eaters.
Ingredients
Our Swedish meatballs bring together juicy ground beef, cozy spices, and a rich, creamy sauce that’s all about comfort. Every ingredient works together to create a dish you’ll love serving again and again, no matter the occasion.
- Ground beef – We used 88/12 or leaner. Please don’t use high fat ground beef like hamburger for this dish.
- Beef broth
- Milk
- Breadcrumbs
- Flour
- Onions
- Egg
- Butter
- Garlic clove
- Parsley
- Nutmeg
- Allspice
- Salt
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
First, add the ground beef, breadcrumbs, onion, egg, allspice, nutmeg, and salt to a large bowl. Mix just until combined. Don’t overmix, or the meatballs will be tough.
Spoon about 1 ½ tablespoons of the mixture or 1 ounce. Form it into a ball and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
In a large pan, add olive oil over medium heat. Cook the meatballs for 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove them from the pan and set them aside.
Melt the butter in the same pan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring continuously, until it browns.
Slowly add the broth while stirring continuously. Then add the milk.
Add the meatballs to the gravy and cook for 10 minutes or until their internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.
Top Tip
Don’t overmix the meat! Gently combine the ingredients until they just come together—overmixing can make the meatballs dense instead of tender. Use your hands for the best results (and hey, it’s kinda fun too!).
Equipment
We made this recipe with a cast iron skillet and a ThermoPop food thermometer. Seriously, we can’t recommend the ThermoPop food thermometer enough! It’s super accurate and takes the guesswork out of cooking for more consistent results.
Storage
Got leftovers? Store your Swedish meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
For freezing, let them cool completely first, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months!
When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them in the fridge overnight and reheat gently on the stove with a little extra sauce to keep them moist. Perfect for meal prep or a quick dinner later!
FAQ
Absolutely! While beef is great, you can swap it for pork, lamb, or even a mix of meats. Just keep the fat content in mind to maintain that juicy texture. We used 88/12 (lean/fat). Try our ground turkey meatballs if you want to keep it on the leaner side.
Mashed potatoes are the classic choice, but egg noodles, rice, or even crusty bread work beautifully to soak up all that creamy gravy.
Beef Swedish Meatballs
Ingredients
Meatball Mixture
- 1 Pd Ground Beef
- ⅓ Cup Plain Breadcrumbs
- ½ Cup Onion Finely Chopped
- 1 Large Egg
- ½ Tsp Allspice
- ½ Tsp Nutmeg
- 1 Tsp Kosher Salt
Gravy
- 2 Tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 2 Tbsp Flour
- ½ Cup Milk
- 1 ½ Cups Beef Broth
Instructions
- Add the ground beef, breadcrumbs, onion, egg, allspice, nutmeg, and salt in a large bowl. Mix just until combined. Don’t overmix, or the meatballs will be tough.
- Spoon about 1 ½ tablespoons of the mixture or 1 ounce. Form it into a ball and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- In a large pan, add olive oil over medium heat. Cook the meatballs for 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove them from the pan and set them aside.
- Melt the butter in the same pan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring continuously, until it browns.
- Slowly add the broth while stirring continuously. Then add the milk.
- Add the meatballs to the gravy and cook for 10 minutes or until their internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Leftovers freeze pretty well. Let them thaw before reheating.
- When making the gravy, add a little broth while stirring. This will help give you a creamy, smooth sauce.
- You may have to cook the meatballs in patches depending on the size pan you use.
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