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    Home » Beef

    Swedish Meatballs

    Published: Jul 18, 2021 / Updated: Dec 17, 2022 / 33 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe

    This Swedish meatballs recipe has tender, perfectly seasoned homemade meatballs smothered in a deliciously creamy and buttery gravy. Making this IKEA favorite at home is easier than you think!

    Try this classic Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe or Chicken Parmesan Meatballs next.

    Swedish meatballs in a skillet

    Why you'll love them

    Sometimes meatballs are the only thing that will hit the spot, and these can be on your table in only 45 minutes. That's not long at all, right? Homemade Swedish meatballs are so cozy and the ultimate comfort food dinner for your family.

    These are more like the Americanized version that you'd get at IKEA than truly authentic Swedish ones. I'll go ahead and say it, though... these bad boys are better than IKEA meatballs! The sauce is SO good. You could eat it on just about anything. And you totally can since this recipe makes plenty of leftovers.

    How to make Swedish meatballs

    This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

    mixing ingredients in a glass bowl to make swedish meatballs

    Add the meatball ingredients to a bowl, and mix with your hands.

    forming swedish meatballs and frying them in a skillet

    Shape into 1 ¼ to 1 ½-inch meatballs (it makes about 25-30), and add them one-by-one to a parchment-lined baking sheet (for easy clean-up; we're not baking these). Heat the olive oil in a large skillet, then cook them in two batches until they're browned all over. Transfer meatballs to a plate.

    making a roux for swedish meatball sauce

    Drain the excess oil from the skillet. Add the butter and then the flour to make a roux.

    adding meatballs back into the swedish meatball sauce

    Whisk in the beef broth until smooth, then add the seasonings. Add the meatballs back to the pan and cook for 10 minutes.

    finishing swedish meatball sauce by adding in sour cream

    Stir in the sour cream, and season with salt & pepper as needed. Enjoy!

    Can I use pre-made meatballs?

    • Yes, if you're in a rush! However, I recommend adding a pinch of allspice and nutmeg to the gravy since that's what gives Swedish meatballs their signature flavor.

    Meatball success tips

    • A delicate touch is best. Don't over-handle the mixture, and use your hands to mix it. You want to be able to still see individual components of the meatballs. When forming them, don't pack them together too tightly. 
    • More fat is better. Low fat meatballs will be drier, less flavorful, and are likely to overcook faster. I avoid using extra lean ground meats. 
    • Brown them! That sear adds so much flavor and also helps them hold together better and seal in the juices. You can bake them if you prefer, but they won't be quite the same, and the browned bits from frying make the gravy taste even better!
    close-up of a spoon with a swedish meatballs over a skillet

    Tools for this recipe

    Check out Natasha's favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!

    • Meatballs are cooked when they're 165F in the middle. Use an instant read thermometer to quickly test.
    • Use cooking tongs to quickly and easily turn them when you're browning them.
    • Use a large/deep skillet for this recipe or a Dutch oven. My 12" Le Creuset skillet is pictured. A regular 10.25" skillet will be a bit small (I tested it!)

    Substitutions and variations

    • I recommend using the suggested mix of beef and pork for the best flavor and moisture, but you could use all beef. Turkey is much leaner, so if you want to go that route, add some olive oil to the mixture (a tablespoon or two).
    • You can use regular breadcrumbs instead of panko.
    • Try subbing the allspice for cardamom if needed.
    • You could use heavy cream instead of sour cream if you prefer, but the tanginess of the sour cream really makes the Swedish meatball sauce special, so you may need to add a bit of lemon juice to compensate if you use heavy cream and feel the sauce is lacking something.
    • You could leave the sour cream out entirely if you need to.
    a bowl with mashed potatoes, broccolini, lingonberry sauce, and swedish meatballs

    Leftovers and storage

    • Swedish meatballs will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
    • Reheat slowly in a covered pan over a low heat. The cream sauce may separate if it's heated too high.
    • I freeze leftovers in Tupperware containers and then thaw from frozen in a covered saucepan over low heat, or thaw in the fridge overnight. Since there's sour cream in the sauce, there's a chance it can separate a bit, but it'll still taste good. You could always make the sauce without the sour cream if you're planning on freezing the whole batch, then simply stir the sour cream in just prior to serving.

    What to serve with Swedish meatballs

    • Traditionally, Swedish meatballs are served with lingonberry jelly on the side. I've seen it available to buy at IKEA. You could also try Cranberry Sauce or raspberry jelly.
    • These are amazing with Mashed Potatoes, egg noodles, or rice.
    • For a veggie side dish, try my Easy Roasted Green Beans or these Easy Glazed Carrots.

    More tasty meatball recipes

    • Easy Meatball Recipe
    • Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
    • Easy Baked Porcupine Meatballs
    • Grape Jelly Meatballs
    • Chicken and Spinach Meatballs
    close-up of easy Swedish meatballs

    Questions about these easy Swedish meatballs? Made them? Leave me a comment or review below! I'm also on Instagram.

    Swedish meatballs in a skillet

    Swedish Meatballs

    This Swedish meatballs recipe has tender, perfectly seasoned homemade meatballs smothered in a deliciously creamy and buttery gravy. Making this IKEA favorite at home is easier than you think!
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, Swedish
    Servings 6
    Calories 606 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    Meatballs:

    • 1 pound ground beef
    • 1 pound ground pork
    • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
    • 1 large egg
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • Pepper to taste
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying)

    Sauce:

    • 1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick)
    • 1/3 cup flour
    • 3 cups beef broth
    • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 1/2 cup sour cream full-fat
    • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped

    Instructions
     

    • Get all ingredients ready prior to starting.
    • Add all the meatball ingredients (except for the olive oil) to a fairly large prep bowl. Using your hands, mix it together and then form 1 ¼ - 1 ½-inch meatballs (use about 2 ½ tbsp meat/meatball and it'll make approx. 25-30 meatballs). Place the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet for easy clean-up.
    • Add the olive oil to a large and deep skillet or a Dutch oven/pot and let it heat up for a few minutes over medium-high heat. Fry the meatballs in two batches until all sides are browned (about 5-7 minutes/batch). It's easiest to turn the meatballs with tongs. You may need to add a splash more oil for the second batch. Transfer meatballs to a plate.
    • Pour out most of the fat from the skillet, but keep the brown bits in for extra flavor (don't wipe it out).
    • Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter to the skillet. Once it’s melted, stir in the flour and cook, stirring often, for a few minutes until the roux starts to turn golden.
    • Slowly whisk the beef broth in, and ensure the flour has dissolved into the sauce.
    • Whisk in the Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce.
    • Add the meatballs back to the pan and cook for about 10 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through and the gravy thickens to your liking (it's not meant to be a super thick gravy).
    • Turn off the heat and stir in the sour cream. I add it right into the skillet, but you could take out some of the sauce and add it to a cup and mix the sour cream in there first if that's easier for you.
    • Season with salt & pepper as needed. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

    Notes

    • See blog post for more tips, info on substitutions, etc... especially if you haven't made meatballs before!
    • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 606kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 30gFat: 49gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 21gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 169mgSodium: 1074mgPotassium: 562mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 464IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 74mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword Homemade IKEA Meatballs, Swedish Meatball Recipe, Swedish Meatballs
    Author Natasha Bull
    « Sour Cream and Onion Chicken
    Easy Hamburger Gravy »

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    1. Monique says

      February 1, 2023 at 5:01 PM

      5 stars
      This is one of our favourite meals to have as a family! All three of my kids like this, and that says a lot! We do skip the sour cream at the end, as we found we prefer it without!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 1, 2023 at 10:40 PM

        I'm glad it's a family favorite, Monique!

        Reply
    2. mes79 says

      January 8, 2023 at 4:12 PM

      5 stars
      Easy and delicious! I make these a couple of times a month because I love them so much. Tonight I doubled the sauce because I like extra for serving over rice or egg noodles.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 8, 2023 at 7:52 PM

        That's so nice to hear!! I love them too... I need to make them again!

        Reply
    3. Emily says

      January 7, 2023 at 12:52 PM

      5 stars
      Going to make these tonight! Could I double the sauce?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 7, 2023 at 7:15 PM

        Sure!

        Reply
    4. Vida says

      December 18, 2022 at 5:39 PM

      5 stars
      Just made these tonight. Sooo delicious and so simple! Better than Ikea ones by far. This recipe is a keeper. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 18, 2022 at 6:03 PM

        I'm thrilled to hear that!! Thanks so much for your review, Vida! Glad you enjoyed it.

        Reply
    5. Tammy says

      December 6, 2022 at 8:20 PM

      5 stars
      FANtastic!!! My picky eater child even said he LOVED the meatballs & gravy! He's NEVER complimented a 'new' dish like this! I used 2#'s of farm fresh beef (not crom the grocery store). Otherwise, I folliwex the recipe precisely. This will be on our FAVORITES list!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 6, 2022 at 8:41 PM

        That's awesome!! 🙂 Thanks for your review, Tammy!

        Reply
    6. Linda says

      December 5, 2022 at 4:19 PM

      Would you be able to make these ahead & put them in a crockpot to warm up the day you want to serve?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 5, 2022 at 9:48 PM

        I think that would be ok, but in general for re-heating, I would definitely warm them over a fairly low heat (so I think slow cooker "low" should be fine) as the sauce can separate... especially if it's been sitting in the Crockpot for a while.

        Reply
      • Lauren says

        December 9, 2022 at 1:25 PM

        I want to do exactly this! Did they turn out alright for you?

        Reply
    7. Jen says

      November 7, 2022 at 4:25 PM

      5 stars
      I’ve tried almost a dozen different recipes for Swedish meatballs and this is by far my favorite! Very easy and I like that it doesn’t use heavy cream…will definitely be making again 💜💜

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 7, 2022 at 4:30 PM

        I'm so happy it was a hit!!

        Reply
    8. Angela says

      October 30, 2022 at 7:29 PM

      5 stars
      Delicious recipe. My family loved it and I will make it again.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 30, 2022 at 7:47 PM

        I'm thrilled to hear that, Angela!! 🙂

        Reply
    9. Emily says

      October 29, 2022 at 11:04 AM

      My fiancé and was nervous to try something new. It’s now on our rotation of foods! It’s a great, easy recipe!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 29, 2022 at 11:14 AM

        That's so nice to hear, Emily!! 🙂 It's one of my favs too... reminds me I need to make a batch again!

        Reply
    10. Andrew says

      March 9, 2022 at 11:59 PM

      5 stars
      Lord have mercy. These are AMAZING! Sauce was so creamy and the spices just right. Thank you for this amazing recipe!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 10, 2022 at 11:42 AM

        I'm thrilled you enjoyed them, Andrew! 😀 This is one of my personal favorites as well. Thanks for your 5-star review!

        Reply
    11. Anna says

      February 8, 2022 at 6:51 AM

      These looks very tasty but not authentic Swedish meatballs. We don't use nutmeg. IKEA is not authentic Swedish meatballs either. It's just Ikea meatballs.
      Depending where in Sweden you from, some use only minced pork, some 50/50 pork and beef.
      Breadcrumbs, egg, water/milk, Swedish allspice, chopped onion, salt and black pepper (old Swedish ppl used white pepper).
      Depending where you from in Sweden, some put the meatballs in the sauce, some doesn't.
      The sauce is made with heavy cream/heavy cream or mix of 50/50 milk and double cream. Spices in the sauce is Swedish allspice, salt and black pepper and the juice from the pan you fried the meatballs

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 8, 2022 at 11:02 AM

        Hi! Yes, it even says in the blog post that these are an Americanized version of Swedish meatballs. 🙂

        Reply
    12. Valerie Wahl says

      January 23, 2022 at 10:01 AM

      5 stars
      Fabulous….just made these.. I lost my Swedish Grandmother’s recipe..and your recipe reminds me of hers from several years ago…Thank you♥️

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 23, 2022 at 10:04 AM

        Oh wow that's wonderful to hear!! I appreciate you taking the time to come back and write me a review. 🙂

        Reply
    13. Sarquis says

      December 11, 2021 at 4:15 PM

      5 stars
      Amazing

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 11, 2021 at 5:23 PM

        Thank you!!

        Reply
    14. Kristin Kingbay says

      December 11, 2021 at 12:52 PM

      5 stars
      Best swedish meatballs recipe I've used! The meatballs and sauce were perfect. I used all beef, since that's what I had on hand, and left out the sour cream (no heavy cream sub), and served over egg noodles. I've already claimed the leftovers, which will go over mashed potatoes tonight! Such a great dish. Can't wait to make it again!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 11, 2021 at 2:45 PM

        Wonderful!! I'm happy that you enjoyed it!! 🙂 I love them too... I ran out of the ones in my freezer and need to make them again soon. Thanks for your review!

        Reply
    15. Misha says

      November 9, 2021 at 10:29 AM

      5 stars
      These were amazing!! Will definitely be making more of this recipe. Followed the instructions exactly.

      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 9, 2021 at 10:41 AM

        Thank you so much for your review, Misha!! 🙂 I'm so pleased you enjoyed them!

        Reply
    16. Virginie says

      October 2, 2021 at 12:41 PM

      5 stars
      I prepared this amazing dish. The meatballs are excellent and the sauce was smooth. I accompanied this dish with "pine cones" (fried potatoes), arugula and pear with cranberries.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 2, 2021 at 12:43 PM

        I'm so happy you enjoyed it, Virginie! Really appreciate you taking the time to write me a review! 🙂

        Reply

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    Natasha Bull, founder and author of Salt & Lavender, in the kitchen

    Hi! I'm Natasha. Salt & Lavender is a recipe blog with a focus on delicious comfort food using everyday ingredients. Beat the weekday grind with hundreds of easy-to-follow and hassle-free recipes!  Read more...

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