Grandma's Swedish Meatballs and Gravy

4.7
(25)
24 Reviews
6 Photos

Grandma's Swedish meatballs and gravy recipe has been passed down from a Swedish grandmother to her beautiful granddaughter. They are the best Swedish meatballs I've ever tasted. Even better than Ikea! They're easy to make, full of flavor, and swimming in the most amazing creamy gravy sauce.

Submitted by JACANA
Updated on February 3, 2025
Swedish meatballs with gravy over mashed potatoes on a plate
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Prep Time:
25 mins
Cook Time:
35 mins
Additional Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 10 mins
Servings:
8
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 8 servings

Meatballs:

  • ½ cup milk

  • ⅓ cup dry bread crumbs

  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream

  • 1 teaspoon heavy cream

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 large clove garlic, minced

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

  • ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper

  • ¼ teaspoon ground allspice

  • 1 pound ground beef

  • 8 ounces ground pork

  • ½ medium onion, minced

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley

  • 1 tablespoon salted butter

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil

Gravy Sauce:

  • ⅓ cup salted butter

  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour

  • 1 cup vegetable broth

  • 1 cup beef broth

  • 1 cup heavy cream

  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce

  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

  • salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Combine milk, bread crumbs, 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon cream, egg, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, white pepper, and allspice in a large bowl; soak until milk absorbed, at least 10 minutes.

  2. Mix in beef, pork, onion, and parsley, using your hands, until well combined; roll into about 24 small meatballs or 16 larger meatballs.

  3. Heat 1 tablespoon butter and oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add meatballs in small batches; cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into centers should read at least 160 degrees F (71 degrees C). Transfer to a warm plate; cover with aluminum foil. Reserve drippings in skillet.

  4. Melt 1/3 cup butter in drippings in the skillet over medium heat. Whisk in flour; cook and whisk until flour dissolved and turns brown, about 5 minutes. Whisk in vegetable broth, beef broth, 1 cup cream, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard; bring to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper; stir to combine. Simmer until thickened, 5 to 7 minutes.

  5. Stir meatballs into gravy.

    Swedish Meatballs and Gravy
    fabeveryday

  6. Toss gently until coated.

    Swedish meatballs on mashed potato with gravy being drizzled on top from a spoon

    fabeveryday

    Cook’s Note

    Using cream in the meatball mixture is optional, but it makes the meatballs more tender in the centers.

    You can use all-purpose seasoning instead of allspice, or Swedish grillkrydda (grill spice).

    To make this recipe the traditional Swedish way, do not make the gravy sauce. Serve meatballs over macaroni or sliced or mashed potatoes, with lingonberry jam.

39 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

447 Calories
37g Fat
10g Carbs
18g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 447
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 37g 48%
Saturated Fat 19g 96%
Cholesterol 149mg 50%
Sodium 493mg 21%
Total Carbohydrate 10g 4%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 18g 36%
Vitamin C 2mg 3%
Calcium 73mg 6%
Iron 2mg 11%
Potassium 299mg 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.