Swedish Meatballs (Svenska Kottbullar)

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This Swedish meatball recipe is our family's Christmas tradition. We frequently double the recipe and keep it warm in a slow cooker. Worth the effort, and the meatballs are even better the next day! Reserve brown gravy and add sour cream to it the day you serve the leftovers.

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High angled view of finished Swedish Meatballs (Svenska Kottbullar) recipe in a serving dish garnished with fresh herbs
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Prep Time:
25 mins
Cook Time:
1 hr
Additional Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 35 mins
Servings:
6
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings

  • 2 slices day-old white bread, crumbled

  • ½ cup heavy cream

  • 1 teaspoon butter

  • 1 small onion, minced

  • pound ground beef

  • pound finely ground pork

  • 1 egg

  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar (Optional)

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • ¼ teaspoon ground allspice

  • teaspoon ground ginger (Optional)

  • 1 tablespoon butter

  • ¼ cup chicken broth

  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, or as needed

  • 2 cups beef broth, or as needed

  • ½ (8 ounce) container sour cream

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

  2. Place bread crumbs into a small bowl; mix in cream. Allow to stand until crumbs absorb cream, about 10 minutes.

    Overhead view of a bowl with breadcrumbs and cream from Swedish Meatballs (Svenska Kottbullar) recipe

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  3. Meanwhile, melt 1 teaspoon butter in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir onion until light brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer onion to a mixing bowl.

    Overhead view of butter and onions cooking in a skillet for Swedish Meatballs (Svenska Kottbullar) recipe

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  4. Mix ground beef, ground pork, egg, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger with onion in the mixing bowl. Lightly mix in bread crumbs and cream.

    Overhead view of a bowl of ground beef, ground pork, egg, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, nutmeg, allspice, ginger and onion from Swedish Meatballs (Svenska Kottbullar) recipe

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  5. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Pinch off about 1 1/2 tablespoon meat mixture per meatball; form into balls. Place meatballs into the skillet and cook, turning often, until browned, about 5 minutes. Insides of meatballs will still be pink.

    Overhead view of Swedish Meatballs (Svenska Kottbullar) cooking in a skillet

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  6. Place browned meatballs into a baking dish, pour in chicken broth, and cover with foil.

  7. Bake in the preheated oven until meatballs are tender, about 40 minutes. Remove meatballs to a serving dish.

    Overhead view of cooked Swedish Meatballs (Svenska Kottbullar) recipe in a baking dish

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  8. Pour pan drippings into a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk flour into drippings until smooth.

    Overhead view of skillet with meatball drippings and flour from Swedish Meatballs (Svenska Kottbullar) recipe

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  9. Gradually whisk in enough beef broth to total about 2 1/2 cups liquid.

    Overhead view of beef broth mixture in a skillet from Swedish Meatballs (Svenska Kottbullar) recipe

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  10. Bring gravy to a simmer, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 5 minutes.

    Overhead view of beef broth gravy cooking in a skillet for Swedish Meatballs (Svenska Kottbullar) recipe

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  11. Just before serving, whisk in sour cream. Season with salt and black pepper. Serve gravy with meatballs.

    High angled view of finished Swedish Meatballs (Svenska Kottbullar) recipe in a serving dish garnished with fresh herbs

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)

309 Calories
21g Fat
12g Carbs
17g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 309
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 21g 27%
Saturated Fat 11g 53%
Cholesterol 108mg 36%
Sodium 794mg 35%
Total Carbohydrate 12g 4%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 17g 34%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 65mg 5%
Iron 2mg 11%
Potassium 290mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.