This Swedish Meatballs recipe is the only one you’ll ever need. They can be served as an appetizer with picks or as a full flavored entrée. When served as a main dish, add a side of mashed potatoes or egg noodles to soak up every drop of the decadent sauce.

Where Did Swedish Meatballs Originate?

The name itself implies that Swedish meatballs are well, Swedish. It’s believed by food historians that the actual recipe has Turkish roots based on a recipe that King Charles XII brought back to Sweden from Turkey in the early 18th century. Regardless of exact origin, fast forward to now and Swedish meatballs are a potluck buffet favorite known for the rich and creamy gravy sauce that’s packed with flavor.

Ingredients to Make Swedish Meatballs Recipe

We enjoy these meatballs over mashed potatoes with lingonberry jam or cranberry sauce. You can add your favorite side salad, peas, green beans or roasted asparagus to round out the meal. Ingredients to make Swedish Meatball Sauce and Swedish Meatballs: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

Meatballs: One pound each of ground beef and ground pork.
Onion and Garlic: Sautéed in butter to soften.
Bread: White bread soaked in milk to soften for the meatball filling.
Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, allspice, ground nutmeg.
Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire sauce enhances the flavor of the ground meat.
Whole Eggs: Two large eggs will hold the meatballs mixture together.
Herbs: Fresh parsley for the meatballs plus additional for garnishing.
Swedish Meatball Sauce: All purpose flour, butter, beef broth, heavy cream, worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard plus salt and black pepper.
Serving: Mashed potatoes or cooked egg noodles for serving.

How to Make the Best Swedish Meatballs Recipe

Meatballs – In a large mixing bowl, soak bread in milk until all is absorbed.
Onion – In a large skillet, melt butter over medium high heat. Add onion, cooking just until beginning to soften. Add garlic then remove from heat.
Combine Meat and Spices – To the large mixing bowl, add ground beef, ground pork, onion and garlic, salt, pepper, allspice, nutmeg, worcestershire sauce, eggs and parsley. Use your hands to mix until fully combined.
Make Meatballs – Form the meat mixture into 20-24 even size meatballs.
Cook Meatballs – In the same skillet used to cook onion, heat a a couple of drizzles of olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Cook meatballs browning on all sides until cooked through and no pink remains. If cooking in batches, add additional oil and butter as needed. Remove from the pan.
Swedish Meatball Sauce – In the same skillet, add butter for sauce over medium heat. Add flour, whisk until all is absorbed, cook just until the roux turns brown in color.
Liquid – Gradually add beef broth, whisking constantly. Add cream, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon and salt and black pepper to your taste. Simmer for 5 minutes or until reduced and thickened, stir occasionally.
Combine – Add meatballs back to the swedish meatball sauce. Turn to coat.
Serve – Serve meatballs over mashed potatoes or cooked noodles garnished with chopped parsley.

Tips for Making Swedish Meatballs

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need: A large deep skillet, medium bowl, sharp knife and cutting board, whisk, large spoon, measuring cups and spoons, a small meatball scoop and sheet pan for holding the meatballs after forming.
Finely Diced Onion Works Best: When making meatballs, the size of the diced onion matters. Think finely diced, as big pieces won’t work here and could potentially cause the meatballs to fall apart.
Use a Scoop for Uniform Size: Adjust the Size for Appetizer: When making meatballs, it’s important to make them similar in size for even cooking. Use a small meatball scoop or a tablespoon to divide the meat mixture.
When to Serve: You can enjoy Swedish Meatballs as an entree for family dinners, entertaining friends ans family or the holidays.

How to Serve Swedish Meatballs

Swedish meatballs can be served with colorful picks as an appetizer. You can also serve them over mashed potatoes, egg noodles or even cooked rice to soak up the sauce. You can also serve Swedish meatballs ladled over Texas toast.

Recipe Variations

Breadcrumb Substitution: You can use panko breadcrumbs in place of fresh breadcrumbs.
Sour Cream: While it’s not necessary, you could add a tangy flavor to the homemade swedish meatball sauce by adding 1/3 cup of sour cream.
Protein: You could make the meatballs using ground turkey or ground chicken or a combination of each.

Storage and Leftovers

Leftovers: Store cooked Swedish Meatballs and Swedish Meatball Sauce in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat gently in single serving portions in the microwave or in a heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat on the stovetop. You may need to add additional beef stock to thin the swedish meatball sauce.
Freezer: You can freeze the meatballs prior to cooking them up to 2 months in advance. Thaw them in the fridge and cook them per the recipe.

More Meatballs Recipes to Make

Slow Cooker Party Meatballs cook in the sweet and spicy sauce while you go about your day.
Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs is comfort food personified.
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs feature all of the buffalo wing flavors we love with bleu cheese dressing for dipping.
Asian inspired Teriyaki Meatballs are a party snack everyone loves.
Jamaican Jerk Meatballs are a fan favorite!
Italian Meatball Bites are ready for dipping in warm pizza or marinara sauce.
Vegetarian Meatballs from Pinch of Yum.

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