Description
Swedish meatballs with creamy gravy bring Nordic comfort straight to your plate. Rich, savory spheres nestle in silky sauce, inviting home cooks to savor Stockholm’s beloved culinary tradition with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1/2 lb (225g) ground pork
Binders and Spices:
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 small onion, finely grated
Cooking Fats and Gravy Components:
- 2 tablespoons butter (for frying)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt & black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Create a luxurious milk-soaked breadcrumb mixture by combining breadcrumbs with milk, allowing the ingredients to meld for approximately 5 minutes, creating a moisture-rich foundation.
- Incorporate ground beef, ground pork, finely diced onion, egg, garlic powder, warming spices like allspice and nutmeg, alongside salt, black pepper, and fragrant parsley into the breadcrumb base.
- Gently blend the ingredients, taking care not to overmix, which could result in dense meatballs.
- Craft uniformly sized spherical meatballs, ensuring consistent cooking and appealing presentation.
- Prepare a sizzling skillet with a harmonious blend of butter and olive oil, heating to a precise medium temperature.
- Carefully introduce meatballs in controlled batches, allowing each to develop a golden-brown exterior through 6-8 minutes of careful frying.
- Extract meatballs and reserve, maintaining their crisp exterior and juicy interior.
- Utilize the same skillet to craft a velvety roux by melting butter and whisking in flour, cooking until a rich golden hue emerges.
- Gradually introduce beef broth, whisking continuously to prevent any unwelcome lumps from forming.
- Elevate the sauce’s complexity by incorporating heavy cream, tangy Dijon mustard, and umami-rich Worcestershire sauce.
- Simmer the gravy, allowing it to thicken and develop deep, sophisticated flavors.
- Delicately reintroduce the meatballs to the luxurious gravy, ensuring each morsel is generously coated.
- Finish by garnishing with fresh parsley and serving alongside creamy mashed potatoes, tender egg noodles, or fluffy rice.
Notes
- Soak breadcrumbs thoroughly to ensure moist, tender meatballs that won’t become dry or crumbly.
- Mix meats gently to prevent tough, dense texture; overmixing can make meatballs rubbery and compact.
- Use a combination of ground beef and pork for authentic Swedish flavor and juicier, more complex taste profile.
- Choose high-quality, fresh spices like whole nutmeg and allspice for more vibrant, authentic Scandinavian seasoning.
- Consider gluten-free alternatives by using almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs for celiac-friendly version.
- Control browning temperature to prevent burning; medium heat creates perfect golden exterior without scorching.
- Test meatball doneness by checking internal temperature reaches 160°F for food safety.
- Adjust gravy consistency by adding more broth if too thick or simmering longer if too thin.
- Create dairy-free version using coconut cream instead of heavy cream for lactose-intolerant guests.
- Enhance meal nutrition by serving with roasted vegetables or protein-rich quinoa instead of traditional starches.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Swedish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg