Best 2 Chef Johns Swedish Meatballs Recipes

Chef John's Swedish meatballs are a classic dish that are perfect for any occasion. They are easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. If you're looking for a delicious and satisfying meal, then you'll definitely want to try this recipe. With its tender meatballs, creamy sauce, and flavorful lingonberries, it's sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

Let's cook with our recipes!

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

Ingredients

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

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

Ingredients

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

Tips:

Use a meatball scoop or two spoons to form the meatballs to ensure uniform size and shape, which will help them cook evenly.
To achieve a crispy and golden-brown exterior, pan-fry the meatballs in a skillet with hot oil or butter before transferring them to the oven.
For a moist and flavorful interior, use a combination of ground beef and pork, as the pork adds richness and helps prevent the meatballs from drying out.
Season the meatballs generously with a blend of spices, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika, to enhance their flavor.
Use a thermometer to ensure that the meatballs have reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before removing them from the oven to ensure food safety.
Serve the Swedish meatballs with a creamy sauce made from a combination of butter, flour, milk, and beef broth, along with lingonberry jam and mashed potatoes for an authentic Swedish experience.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, creating delicious and authentic Swedish meatballs requires careful attention to detail and a harmonious balance of flavors. By following the tips and tricks outlined in this article, you can elevate your culinary skills and impress your friends and family with a dish that combines the best of Swedish cuisine. Whether you prefer pan-frying or baking the meatballs, remember to use a combination of ground beef and pork, season them generously, and cook them to perfection. Serve them with a creamy sauce, lingonberry jam, and mashed potatoes for a complete and satisfying meal that will transport your taste buds to the heart of Scandinavia.