Best Homemade Swedish Meatballs

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

• 1 lb ground beef

• 1/2 lb ground pork

• 1 small onion, finely minced

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

• 1/4 cup milk

• 1 large egg

• 1/2 tsp allspice

• 1/2 tsp nutmeg

• 1 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

• 2 tbsp butter (for frying)

For the Gravy

• 4 tbsp butter

• 1/4 cup flour

• 3 cups beef broth

• 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)

• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• Salt & pepper, to taste

• Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. Make the meatball mixture: In a bowl, soak breadcrumbs in milk for 5 minutes. Add ground beef, pork, onion, garlic, egg, spices, salt, pepper, and parsley. Mix gently until just combined.

2. Shape & cook: Roll into 1-inch meatballs. Heat butter in a skillet over medium and brown meatballs on all sides (they don’t need to be fully cooked yet). Remove and set aside.

3. Make the gravy: In the same skillet, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook 1–2 minutes until golden. Slowly whisk in beef broth, then add cream, Worcestershire, and Dijon. Simmer until smooth and thickened.

4. Finish cooking: Add meatballs back to the skillet. Simmer in the gravy for 10–12 minutes until cooked through.

5. Serve: Garnish with parsley and serve hot with mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or lingonberry jam for the classic Swedish touch.