01/23/2026
Save my standby Swedish meatball recipe for the oncoming bad weather. Recipe in caption 💛 First pic I made with more cream, second pic I just let the sauce reduce without the cream. It’s all good.
Swedish Meatballs
Serves: 4–6
Total time: 35–40 minutes
Meatballs
1 cup breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
⅓ cup finely minced yellow onion
4 cloves garlic, minced
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon each Kosher salt and black pepper
½ cup milk
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 lb ground beef 85/15 works well - I love
1 large egg
1/4 cup olive oil, for the pan
Gravy
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups low-sodium beef broth
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup heavy cream (more to taste)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 tbsp chopped herbs like dill, parsley, or chives
Lingonberry or cranberry jam, for serving
Instructions
Put the breadcrumbs in a large bowl.
In a wide skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion, garlic, allspice, pinch of salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring often until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the milk and Worcestershire sauce and bring just to a gentle simmer. Pour this warm mixture over the breadcrumbs and stir into a thick paste. Cool for a minute or two.
Add the ground beef and egg to the bowl. Gently mix with your hands until just combined. Roll into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in the same skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches and brown on all sides, about 6–8 minutes total. They don’t need to be fully cooked yet.
Transfer meatballs to a plate.
Lower the heat to medium-low. Add the butter to the same pan. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute.
Slowly whisk in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, scraping up any browned bits. Bring to a gentle simmer, then stir in the cream. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
Return meatballs to the skillet. Cover and simmer gently for 10–12 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through and the gravy is thick/silky.
Sprinkle with herbs + serve over mashed potatoes with jam on the side.
