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You might think of Ikea when you hear Swedish Meatballs, but trust me, this homemade recipe is even better! Perfectly-spiced meatballs with a rich, creamy, delectable gravy comes together quicker than you’d think. It’s such a cozy meal idea, but just as great for parties.
What’s in this Swedish Meatball Recipe?
These chicken and beef meatballs are made with allspice and nutmeg for that specific flavor that makes Swedish meatballs so unique. They’re then cooked in a creamy gravy sauce that is just unbelievably delicious!
- Breadcrumbs: Breadcrumbs create a better texture in the meatball mixture.
- Milk + Cream: Add moisture to the meatballs and makes the sauce creamy.
- Egg: This binds the ingredients together.
- Spices: Allspice and nutmeg are important for the warm, comforting flavor of the meatballs. Salt and pepper enhance the natural flavors.
- Fresh Parsley: Adds a pop of freshness to the meatballs and sauce.
- Butter + Oil: Vegetable oil helps the onions cook without burning, while butter adds richness and helps to thicken the gravy.
- Onion + Garlic: Adds a savory and earthy flavor to the meatballs.
- Ground Chuck + Chicken: This mixture of meats makes for a flavorful meatball! You can stick with the more traditional mixture of beef and pork instead if you prefer– just use pork in place of the chicken.
- All-Purpose Flour: This thickens the gravy.
- Broth: I used both beef and chicken broth in the sauce, but you can use one or the other if you prefer.
- Sour Cream: Adds richness and tangy flavor to the sauce.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a bit of an acidic tang to the sauce.
- Worcestershire Sauce: This is the perfect mix of savory, salty, and tangy, so it adds great flavor to the sauce.
- Beef Bouillon: Use instant bouillon granules. This adds a really rich and savory taste to the gravy.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: This tangy ingredient creates more balance in the flavor.
Pro Tip: If you want to turn these meatballs into the coziest meal ever, try this Swedish Meatball Soup!
Easy Swedish Meatballs
You can use frozen meatballs to make this Swedish meatball recipe even easier. You’ll miss out on the warm spices cooked into the meat, but the gravy itself will still add so much flavor.
To do this, simply cook your frozen meatballs (use chicken, beef, or pork) according to package instructions, then make the sauce and cook the meatballs in it according to the recipe card below.
The addition of warming spices, like allspice and nutmeg, gives these meatballs an otherworldly flavor!
This amazing sauce is made with butter, heavy cream, sour cream, broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, beef bouillon, cider vinegar, flour, sugar, Dijon mustard, and parsley.
Traditionally, these meatballs are made with a combination of pork and beef. But for this recipe, we used a combination of ground chicken and ground chuck (beef) instead. However, you can use any combination of chicken, turkey, beef, and pork you prefer, or just stick to one.
Flour creates a thicker, gravy-like texture to the sauce. If you’d like an even thicker sauce: Before adding the meatballs, mix together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of milk or cold water and add it to the sauce. Stir over low heat until the mixture thickens.
Absolutely! Follow the instructions in this crockpot Swedish meatballs recipe instead.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container, and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can store the meatballs directly in the sauce, or separate them (both options work fine).
To reheat, warm them up in the oven until fully heated through. You can also mix in a bit more cream to help make the sauce creamy again.
How to Freeze
While I do not recommend freezing the sauce, you can freeze the Swedish meatballs for up to 3 months. Freeze in a single layer on a lined baking sheet until solid, about 1-2 hours. Transfer to an airtight container or Ziplock bag to store. Let thaw overnight before finishing in the sauce.
Serving Suggestions
For a really cozy and comforting dinner with these traditional Swedish meatballs, serve them with egg noodles or homemade pasta, and creamy mashed potatoes or these simple roasted potatoes. The gravy coats the pasta and potatoes so beautifully!
If you’re serving these as an appetizer, don’t forget the lingonberry jam (or cranberry sauce if you can’t find it!) for dipping.
5-Star Review
“I have tried out at least three different recipes of Swedish Meatball sauce and this is far and away the best. I am always having to add something to the other recipes to make them taste better but this one needed no alterations. Thank you!!” – Renee
Swedish Meatballs Recipe
Equipment
- 2 Baking Sheet
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- ⅓ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (⅛ stick)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- ½ yellow onion minced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1½ pounds ground chuck
For the Sauce
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (¾ stick)
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour (see note for an optional thickener)
- 14.5 ounces low sodium beef broth (1 can)
- 14.5 ounces low-sodium chicken broth (1 can)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon Beef Instant Bouillon Granules — I used Wyler’s
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Kosher salt as needed; taste first
- 1-2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
For Serving (Optional)
- Cranberry sauce or lingonberry jam
Instructions
For the Meatballs
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Cover 2 large baking sheets with foil and spray the foil with nonstick spray. Set aside for now.
- In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, milk, cream, egg, salt, pepper, allspice, nutmeg, and parsley. Set the mixture aside to allow the milk to soak into the breadcrumbs, at least 10 minutes.⅓ cup breadcrumbs, ½ cup milk, 2 tablespoons heavy cream, 1 large egg, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon ground allspice, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
- Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil in a medium skillet set over medium heat. Add the minced onion and sauté until translucent. Add the minced garlic and sauté 30 seconds. Transfer the onion/garlic mixture to the breadcrumb mixture.1 tablespoon unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, ½ yellow onion, 1 clove garlic
- Once the breadcrumb mixture is ready, add the ground chuck and chicken. Mix well using a wooden spoon.1 pound ground chicken, 1½ pounds ground chuck
- Roll meat into 1½-inch balls (or use a 1½ inch scoop) and place on the prepared sheet pan 1 inch apart.
- Cook 20 minutes, or until no longer pink in the center.
For the Sauce
- While meatballs are cooking, prepare the sauce: Melt the butter in a large skillet.
- Add the flour to the butter and whisk well. Cook over med-low heat until mixture turns a little darker. Whisk often.6 tablespoons unsalted butter, ⅓ cup all-purpose flour, 14.5 ounces low sodium beef broth, 14.5 ounces low-sodium chicken broth, 1 cup heavy cream, ¾ cup sour cream, 1 teaspoon Beef Instant Bouillon Granules, 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, Kosher salt, 1-2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
- Add beef broth, chicken broth, cream, sour cream, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, cider vinegar, sugar and black pepper. Taste, then season with salt, if needed.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat to low and add the meatballs. Simmer, stirring gently and often, until gravy has thickened. Add chopped parsley and stir gently.
- Serve over egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or macaroni. If eating Swedish Meatballs without noodles or a side dish, serve with a teaspoon of cranberry sauce or lingonberry jam on the side, optional.Cranberry sauce
Becky’s Tips
- Note: For an optional thickener, before adding the meatballs, mix together 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons milk or cold water and add it to the sauce, stir over low heat until mixture thickens.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
It took us a great deal of time to get this recipe together (we’re rookies). It turned out great! Very tasty!
How would you adapt this recipe for a slow-cooker?
Hi Ray, we recommend thickening the sauce on the stovetop as described, then transferring the sauce and the raw meatballs to the crockpot to cook on high for 2-3 hours of low for 4-6 hours.
Delicious Sauce! Everyone loved my dish! I did not use this meatball recipe I made chicken meatballs and plant-based meatballs to accommodate more people. I added garlic and onion powder to the sauce (because they go in everything LOL!) and a little extra butter. It was heavenly. I served this with 3 options: rice, mashed potatoes, and egg noodles. I LOVED it over egg noodles.
OMGoodness !!! This was by far the BEST recipe ! The flavor of the sauce is so buttery and just the right thickness .It did take me some time to cook but lady’s and gentlemen it was well worth the time ! I have to admit I changed up the meatball meat .I used ground Italian sausage , ground pork and ground lean meat and I didn’t brown the meat and cook it in the oven , instead I boiled the meatballs in the broth for 20 minutes separated the meatballs from the broth set aside and continued the sauce recipe .And I added 2 eggs not one to the meatball mixture . Served over White rice ( boiled the rice in beef broth and a tblspoon of butter )
Absolutely delicious!! Had them over egg noodles and thickened it as recipe noted! Family loved the dinner! It’s a keeper and will ma kg e again
We love to hear that, Karen!
I have tried out at least three different recipes of Swedish Meatball sauce and this is far and away the best. I am always having to add something to the other recipes to make them taste better but this one needed no alterations. Thank you!!
This is a great recipe. I did do the cornstarch mix and it is wonderful!!
So glad you enjoyed it, Tracy!
This has become a staple in my house. My whole family loves it!
We used frozen meatballs and didn’t have the Dijon mustard to put in the sauce. THIS SAUCE IS AMAZING! And I rarely say that about sauce because I’m a sauce connoisseur. This is a thick Alfredo. The most disappointing part of our meal was the meatballs. We both ate the meatballs first so we could enjoy this sauce on the pasta. I think it would be great on chicken. This sauce has made our recipe book which says a lot.
Can you freeze the sauce?
You can, but the sauce may become grainy once thawed!