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    Home / Dinner / Classic Swedish Meatballs

    Classic Swedish Meatballs

    Seasoned beef and pork meatballs are simmered in a creamy, savory gravy, traditionally served over egg noodles or mashed potatoes.

    ⏱ 20 minPrep time
    🔥 25 minCook time
    🍽 4Servings
    🏷 DinnerCategory
    ☆☆☆☆☆No ratings yet
    Classic Swedish Meatballs in creamy gravy with lingonberry jam

    Swedish meatballs, or köttbullar, have been a staple of Swedish home cooking for centuries, though some food historians trace the recipe’s spice blend to King Charles XII’s time in the Ottoman Empire in the early 18th century. The dish became widely known in America thanks in large part to IKEA’s in-store restaurants popularizing it globally starting in the 1980s.

    Tender meatballs in a rich, creamy gravy

    Seasoned beef and pork meatballs are simmered in a creamy, savory gravy, traditionally served over egg noodles or mashed potatoes.

    Step by stepInstructions

    1. Soak the breadcrumbs in milk for 5 minutes, then combine with the beef, pork, egg, onion, allspice, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
    2. Roll into small meatballs.
    3. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet and brown the meatballs on all sides. Remove and set aside.
    4. Melt the remaining butter, whisk in the flour, and cook 1 minute.
    5. Whisk in the beef broth, cream, and Worcestershire sauce, and simmer until thickened.
    6. Return the meatballs to the gravy and simmer 10 minutes until cooked through.

    💡 Chef tips & storage

    The warm spices — allspice and nutmeg — are what set Swedish meatballs apart from Italian-style ones, so don't skip them. Serve over egg noodles or mashed potatoes with a spoonful of lingonberry jam if you have it.

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    Recipe details

    Prep20 min
    Cook25 min
    Servings4
    CategoryDinner
    PublishedAugust 12, 2026
    Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

    Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

    Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

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