Best 6 Chef John Swedish Meatballs Recipes

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Chef John's Swedish meatballs are a classic dish that is sure to please the whole family. Made with a combination of ground beef and pork, these meatballs are tender and flavorful, with a delicious gravy that is perfect for spooning over mashed potatoes or noodles. The secret to Chef John's Swedish meatballs is in the spices, which include a blend of allspice, nutmeg, and ginger. These spices give the meatballs a warm and inviting flavor that is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

SWEDISH MEATBALLS



Swedish Meatballs image

The trick to Alton Brown's moist Swedish Meatballs recipe, from Good Eats on Food Network, is white bread soaked in milk.

Provided by Alton Brown

Categories     appetizer

Time 55m

Yield approximately 30 meatballs, 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 slices fresh white bread
1/4 cup milk
3 tablespoons clarified butter, divided
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
A pinch plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 pound ground chuck
3/4 pound ground pork
2 large egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups beef broth
1/4 cup heavy cream

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 200 degrees F.
  • Tear the bread into pieces and place in a small mixing bowl along with the milk. Set aside.
  • In a 12-inch straight sided saute pan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter. Add the onion and a pinch of salt and sweat until the onions are soft. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the bread and milk mixture, ground chuck, pork, egg yolks, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, black pepper, allspice, nutmeg, and onions. Beat on medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Using a scale, weigh meatballs into 1-ounce portions and place on a sheet pan. Using your hands, shape the meatballs into rounds.
  • Heat the remaining butter in the saute pan over medium-low heat, or in an electric skillet set to 250 degrees F. Add the meatballs and saute until golden brown on all sides, about 7 to 10 minutes. Remove the meatballs to an ovenproof dish using a slotted spoon and place in the warmed oven.
  • Once all of the meatballs are cooked, decrease the heat to low and add the flour to the pan or skillet. Whisk until lightly browned, approximately 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually add the beef stock and whisk until sauce begins to thicken. Add the cream and continue to cook until the gravy reaches the desired consistency. Remove the meatballs from the oven, cover with the gravy and serve.

CHEF JOHN'S ITALIAN MEATBALLS



Chef John's Italian Meatballs image

Homemade meatballs are a very easy to make, and since we skip the very messy step of pan-frying these before they hit the sauce, it becomes downright simple. Here I use a standard half-beef/half-pork mixture. You can substitute water or beef broth for the milk, if preferred.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 2h15m

Yield 30

Number Of Ingredients 14

⅓ cup plain bread crumbs
½ cup milk
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork
2 eggs
¼ bunch fresh parsley, chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon dried Italian herb seasoning
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Cover a baking sheet with foil and spray lightly with cooking spray.
  • Soak bread crumbs in milk in a small bowl for 20 minutes.
  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onions in hot oil until translucent, about 20 minutes.
  • Mix beef and pork together in a large bowl. Stir onions, bread crumb mixture, eggs, parsley, garlic, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, Italian herb seasoning, and Parmesan cheese into meat mixture with a rubber spatula until combined. Cover and refrigerate for about one hour.
  • Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
  • Using wet hands, form meat mixture into balls about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Arrange onto prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until browned and cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 81.9 calories, Carbohydrate 1.7 g, Cholesterol 32.3 mg, Fat 5.5 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 6.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.9 g, Sodium 192.1 mg, Sugar 0.5 g

BEST SWEDISH MEATBALLS



Best Swedish Meatballs image

Our family has been using this recipe for more than 40 years. The tender meatballs are made with a combination of beef, veal and pork, then spiced with nutmeg and ginger. If your family likes their meatballs a little milder, reduce the nutmeg to 1/2 teaspoon. Coffee adds nice color to the gravy, which is delicious over noodles.-Rev. Jim Thyren, West Pittston, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h20m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

1-1/2 cups soft bread crumbs
1 cup half-and-half cream
1 egg, beaten
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 pound each ground beef, veal and pork
GRAVY:
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) beef broth
1/2 cup hot brewed coffee
Hot cooked egg noodles, optional

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine bread crumbs and cream; let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in the egg, onion, parsley, salt, nutmeg and ginger. Crumble meat over mixture and mix well., Shape into 1-in. balls. Place meatballs on a greased rack in a shallow baking pan. Bake, at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until no longer pink. Drain on paper towels. , Transfer meatballs to a greased 11x7-in. baking dish. Scrape pan drippings into a small saucepan; stir in flour until blended. Gradually stir in broth and coffee. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Pour over meatballs. , Bake, uncovered, for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly. Serve with noodles if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 371 calories, Fat 24g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 135mg cholesterol, Sodium 878mg sodium, Carbohydrate 11g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 24g protein.

SWEDISH MEATBALLS



Swedish meatballs image

Cook pork mince meatballs and serve with classic lingonberry or cranberry sauce and spring greens for a healthy, low-calorie family meal

Provided by Esther Clark

Categories     Dinner, Main course

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tbsp rapeseed oil
1 onion , finely chopped
1 small garlic clove , finely grated
375g lean pork mince
1 medium egg yolk
grating of nutmeg
50g fine fresh breadcrumbs
300ml hot low-salt beef stock
½ tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp fat-free natural yogurt
400g spring greens , shredded
lingonberry or cranberry sauce , to serve

Steps:

  • Put 1 tbsp rapeseed oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onion and fry for 10 mins or until soft and translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 min. Leave to cool.
  • Mix the cooled onions, pork mince, egg yolk, a good grating of nutmeg and the breadcrumbs in a bowl with your hands until well combined. Form into 12 balls and chill for 15 mins.
  • Heat the remaining oil in a frying pan and fry the meatballs for 5 mins over a medium heat, turning often until golden. Pour over the stock and bubble for 8-10 mins or until it has reduced a little. Stir through the mustard and yogurt.
  • Steam the greens for 5 mins or until tender. Serve the meatballs with the greens and a dollop of the sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 323 calories, Fat 18 grams fat, SaturatedFat 4 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 13 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 6 grams sugar, Fiber 6 grams fiber, Protein 24 grams protein, Sodium 1.04 milligram of sodium

CHEF JOHN'S SWEDISH MEATBALLS



Chef John's Swedish Meatballs image

Swedish meatballs, traditionally served with boiled potatoes and lingonberry preserves, are a hearty meal the whole family will love!

Provided by Chef John

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Scandinavian

Time 2h5m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 22

Meatballs:
2 tablespoons butter
½ yellow onion, finely chopped
1 ½ teaspoons fine salt
¼ cup milk
2 large eggs
⅓ cup plain bread crumbs
¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 pound ground beef chuck
1 pound ground pork
Gravy:
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 ¼ cups beef broth
½ cup heavy cream
½ teaspoon white sugar
¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
cooking spray

Steps:

  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in butter until onion begins to turn translucent, about 6 minutes.
  • Transfer onion mixture to a large bowl. Add milk, eggs, bread crumbs, black pepper, nutmeg, allspice, and cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mixture; stir to combine.
  • Mix beef and pork into the bread crumb mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat; whisk flour into butter and cook until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Slowly whisk beef broth into butter mixture.
  • Increase heat to medium-high, whisk cream into mixture and bring to a simmer. Stir sugar and Worcestershire sauce into gravy. Simmer until slightly thickened, 6 to 7 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly coat foil with cooking spray.
  • Roll 2 to 3 tablespoons meatball mixture into a ball using wet hands; repeat with remaining meatball mixture. Place meatballs on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until browned, about 20 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).
  • Transfer meatballs to the gravy and cook over medium-low heat until warmed through, about 5 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 479 calories, Carbohydrate 10.1 g, Cholesterol 193.7 mg, Fat 35.8 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 28.2 g, SaturatedFat 17.3 g, Sodium 1205.6 mg, Sugar 1.8 g

SWEDISH MEATBALLS



Swedish Meatballs image

C'mon, how could we not include this seventies' entertaining classic? But fear not, these aren't tired chafing-dish buffet standards; they are a delicious duo of beef and pork, along with a well-spiced mixture of allspice and mustard powder and a touch of heavy cream. While people may argue over authenticity, we're not Swedish, but we know these are darn good. Serve them with our Mushroom Gravy (page 63), Mashed Potatoes (page 79), and a bit of lingonberry jam.

Yield Makes about 2 dozen 1 1/2-inch meatballs

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 tablespoons olive oil
3 slices fresh white bread, roughly torn
1/2 cup beef broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 onion, finely diced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard powder
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 pound 80% lean ground beef
1 pound ground pork shoulder
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 large eggs

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 450°F. Drizzle the olive oil into a 9 × 13-inch baking dish and use your hand to evenly coat the entire surface. Set aside.
  • Place the torn bread, beef broth, and cream in a bowl and let soak for 5 minutes
  • Melt the butter in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, until transparent, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the parsley, allspice, mustard powder, and flour and stir to incorporate. Pour the contents of the pan into the bowl with the bread mixture and stir until well mixed. Set aside to cool.
  • Combine the cooled onion and bread mixture with the ground beef, ground pork, salt, pepper, and eggs in a large mixing bowl and mix by hand until thoroughly incorporated.
  • Roll the mixture into round, golf ball-size meatballs (about 1 1/2 inches), making sure to pack the meat firmly. Place the balls in the prepared baking dish, being careful to line them up snugly and in even rows vertically and horizontally to form a grid. The meatballs should be touching one another.
  • Roast for 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are firm and cooked through. A meat thermometer inserted into the center of a meatball should read 165°F.
  • Allow the meatballs to cool for 5 minutes in the baking dish before serving.

Tips:

  • To make the meatballs extra tender, soak the bread crumbs in milk before adding them to the meat mixture.
  • Use a combination of ground beef and pork for the meatballs, as this will give them a richer flavor.
  • Season the meatballs generously with salt and pepper, as well as other herbs and spices of your choice.
  • Brown the meatballs in a hot skillet before simmering them in the sauce, as this will help to seal in their flavor.
  • Use a good quality beef broth for the sauce, as this will make a big difference in the overall flavor of the dish.
  • Add some sour cream to the sauce for a richer, creamier flavor.
  • Serve the meatballs with mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice.

Conclusion:

Swedish meatballs are a classic comfort food that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a delicious and hearty meal that the whole family will love. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal, give Swedish meatballs a try. You won't be disappointed!

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