This is by far “Handy’s” favorite meal, my best-ever homemade Swedish Meatballs.
It’s one of my almost-from-scratch recipes and it’s not a quick meal so he doesn’t get it very often.
Trust me when I tell you that even though it takes a bit of time and effort, it is completely worth it.
swedish meatballs with noodles and beans plated for dinner
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What Makes This Recipe so Yummy
It’s the combination of three different types of ground meat. I use ground beef, ground pork, and ground veal.
I know some people are opposed to ground veal but I’ve made it without and it’s still good but not as good as it is with the veal.
The sauce is also a game-changer. It’s a thick, rich cream sauce or gravy with so much flavor.
I love beef stroganoff and the gravy of this reminds me a lot of that even though it doesn’t use sour cream, it has that same creamy flavor from the cream of mushroom soup.
the Swedish meatballs with the creamy sauce ready to go into the oven
What do You Serve with Swedish Meatballs
Traditionally a Swedish Meatball is served over or with mashed potatoes.
In our house we are divided. The girls and I like it over egg noodles and “Handy” likes it over rice. I typically make both.
Swedish Meatball: Köttbullar
Different ways to use this Recipe
I’ve been making these meatballs for over 40 years and the original recipe was for tiny meatballs and was served in a chafing dish as an appetizer at parties.
I now make it as a main dish with a much larger meatball as Swedish Meatballs were intended.
What I Use to Make Swedish Meatballs
Frequently Asked Questions
What Makes a Swedish Meatball Different?
A Swedish meatball compared to an Italian meatball is two-fold. The Swedish meatball has a creamy white sauce gravy and traditionally just salt and pepper for seasoning. Altho as I mentioned before some might argue that authentic Swedish meatballs also include allspice and nutmeg.
Italian meatballs are served with the traditional red sauce and is seasoned with basil, oregano, and garlic.
However, the base of both meatballs tends to be the same ground beef and ground pork.
swedish meatball sauce in fry pan before pouring it over pan fried meatballs
What do You Serve with a Swedish Meatball?
As I mentioned before, mashed potatoes are traditionally served with Swedish Meatballs but Lingonberry Jam is also a very famous side.
I’ve also heard of it being served with a pickled cucumber salad which if this Swedish girl’s palette has anything to say about it would be a delicious side.
Is it Better to Bake or Pan Fry Meatballs?
From everything that I’ve read, it’s preferable to bake the meatballs but I pan-fry them. I find the crispy pieces and the browned flour that is left over from the frying, mixed with the soup is part of the secret of the creamy sauce.
frying up the Swedish meatballs in a fry pan with oil and butter
Why is IKEA is famous for its Swedish Meatballs?
IKEA was founded by Ingvar Kamprad in 1953 and came to life as a mail-order catalog business in the forested town of Älmhult, Sweden.
So it stands to reason that at an IKEA store restaurant they would serve a dish that is one of Sweden’s most famous. I personally am not a fan of IKEA Meatballs. I think mine are much better!
swedish meatballs with noodles and beans plated for dinner
Swedish Foods
I grew up with Swedish/Finnish Traditions that are still alive in our family today.
For Christmas, we always make Swedish Potato Sausage. You can read about how we make it and get the recipe HERE.
The tradition of Lutefisk on Christmas Eve however died with my Dad. It’s a boiled cod served over boiled potatoes and topped with a white cream sauce. It was awful!
Swedes are also famous for their herring which I along with my siblings really enjoy but we seem only to have it during the holidays.
They also enjoy sweets and have some very good dessert treats. I’m not a baker so my skill in this area is not good. I found THIS article about some of the things that are popular foods in Sweden that I thought were very interesting.
I hope you enjoy this great recipe. It’s a favorite recipe in our family and perfect for this time of year when we are looking for great comfort food. Enjoy!
Peace,
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