Swedish Meatballs

Homemade Swedish Meatballs are a cozy weeknight dinner with tender homemade meatballs simmered in a rich, savory gravy. This from-scratch version is inspired by Ikea meatballs we love, but made at home with simple ingredients. Serve it over egg noodles or mashed potatoes for a perfect family dinner.

a skillet of cooked Swedish meatballs in sauce

Why This Swedish Meatball Recipe Is SO Good!

These are the best Swedish meatballs we’ve ever had! Making them at home means you can use fresh ingredients, adjust the seasonings and salt to your liking, and create a new family favorite dinner.

This sauce both flavorful and rich, without being too heavy while the meatballs are tender and fresh. This whole recipe comes together in just one pan for easy clean up.

Swedish meatballs are quick enough for a weeknight, but cozy enough to serve to guests over mashed potatoes.

ingredients for a Swedish meatball recipe on the counter

Ingredient Tips

Meat: I love a combination of ground beef and pork for flavor but you can use all ground beef if you prefer. A little bit of fat adds flavor so use lean beef, not extra lean.
Breadcrumbs & Egg: These bind the meatballs together. Any type of bread crumbs work.
Spices: A pinch of warm spice in this recipe give the meatballs a traditional flavor.
Beef stock: Beef stock is a bit richer in flavor than broth. If you use broth, add a beef bouillon cube.

Use 24 ounces of frozen, fully cooked meatballs instead of homemade.
A small onion or some mushrooms can be finely diced and softened in the butter before making the sauce.
Prep large batches of homemade meatballs to store in the freezer for quick weeknight meals as the Swedish meatball sauce in this recipe is.
Heavy cream can be replaced with sour cream or Greek yogurt to lighten the recipe. This will change the flavor to be more similar to stroganoff. Add the sour cream or Greek yogurt at the end of cooking, do not allow it to boil or simmer.

ingredients for a Swedish meatball recipe in a bowl

How to Make Swedish Meatballs (overview)

Mix & shape meatballs according to the recipe below.
Brown the meatballs for flavor and to help them hold their shape.
Make the sauce by whisking butter and flour. Stir in brothm and seasonings.
Simmer the meatballs until cooked through.

Tip: Swedish meatballs are often served with lingonberry jam, which has a flavor similar to cranberry sauce.

Swedish meatballs with egg noodles on a plate

Serving Suggestions

Homemade Swedish meatballs are great with a starchy side like egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice.

Did you enjoy this Swedish Meatball recipe? If so, leave a rating and a comment below!

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Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

To make the meatballs, in a large bowl, combine beef, pork, bread crumbs, egg, milk, salt, pepper, allspice, nutmeg, and clove. Mix well and roll into 1-inch meatballs (About 45-48 meatballs).
Heat a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the meatballs and brown on all sides. Transfer the meatballs to a plate.
To make the sauce, add the butter to the drippings in the skillet. Stir in the flour and pepper. Cook for 1 minute.
Gradually whisk in the broth and cream, stirring until smooth after each addition. Add the soy sauce.
Add the meatballs to the sauce and bring to a simmer over medium low heat. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Uncover and simmer for 5-10 minutes more or until thickened and the meatballs are cooked through. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if desired.
Serve over egg noodles or mashed potatoes. Garnish with parsley if desired.

*If you replace the beef stock with beef broth, you may need to add extra seasoning or a bit of bouillon.
Heavy cream can be replaced with spreadable cream cheese or sour cream if desired. This will change the flavor of the sauce.
If using prepared frozen meatballs, they do not need to be browned first. They can be simmered from frozen. Homemade frozen meatballs should be thawed first and cooked as directed in the recipe. Meatballs should reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Beef, Main Course

Cuisine Swedish

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FAQs

How to prepare Swedish meatballs ahead of time

The meatballs can be assembled up to 48 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator or frozen until they’re ready to use.

How to store leftover Swedish meatballs

Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a little water if needed.

Can I make this recipe with frozen meatballs?

To make Swedish meatballs with frozen meatballs, use 24 ounces of frozen, fully cooked meatballs. Simmer them in the sauce as directed. There is no need to brown frozen meatballs.