Swedish Meatballs

Yields:
Prep Time:
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Special Equipment:

Ingredients

• For the Meatballs:

  • 1 tbsp butter

  • ½ cup minced onion

  • ½ cup fresh bread crumbs

  • ½ cup milk

  • 12 oz lean ground beef

  • 12 oz lean ground pork

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 tsp salt

  • ½ tsp black pepper

  • ½ tsp ground allspice

  • ½ tsp grated or ground nutmeg

  For Cooking:

  • 4 tbsp (½ stick) butter, plus more if needed

  For the Gravy:

  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

  • 2 cups beef stock or broth

  • ½ cup sour cream or heavy cream

  • 2 tbsp lingonberry or red currant jelly (optional but traditional)

Directions

Sauté the Onion

• Melt 1 tbsp butter in a small skillet over medium heat.

• Add minced onion and cook, stirring, until soft (3–4 minutes). Set aside.

2. Prepare the Meatball Mixture

• In a mixing bowl, combine bread crumbs and milk. Let stand for 2 minutes to soften.

• Add sautéed onions, ground beef, ground pork, egg, salt, pepper, allspice, and nutmeg.

• Beat on low speed until smooth, then increase to high and beat until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).

3. Shape and Brown the Meatballs

• Shape mixture into 1- to 1½-inch balls.

• Melt 4 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat.

• Brown meatballs in batches. Remove and drain on paper towels.

• If butter burns, discard and add fresh butter, leaving browned bits in the skillet.

4. Make the Gravy

• Add 2 tbsp flour to the skillet and stir until lightly browned.

• Slowly whisk in beef stock until smooth and thickened.

5. Finish the Dish

• Return meatballs to the skillet. Cover and cook for 5 minutes until heated through.

• Remove meatballs to a serving platter.

• Whisk sour cream (or heavy cream) and jelly into the sauce.

• Pour sauce over meatballs and serve warm.