Best 8 Scandinavian Meatballs Recipes

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Scandinavian meatballs, also known as Swedish meatballs, have become a classic dish enjoyed worldwide. These tender and flavorful meatballs are typically served with a creamy sauce, mashed potatoes, and lingonberry jam. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, finding the best recipe for Scandinavian meatballs can be an exciting culinary adventure. In this article, we'll explore the essential elements of a great Scandinavian meatball recipe, including the perfect blend of spices, the ideal cooking method, and the delectable sauce that brings it all together.

Let's cook with our recipes!

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.

MOM'S SWEDISH MEATBALLS



Mom's Swedish Meatballs image

Mom fixed this Swedish meatball recipe for all sorts of family dinners, potluck suppers and PTA meetings. The scent of browning meat is intoxicating. Add to that the sweet smell of onions caramelizing, and everyone's mouth starts watering. -Marybeth Mank, Mesquite, Texas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h10m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 18

3/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 medium onion, chopped
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/3 cup minced fresh parsley
1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 pounds ground beef
GRAVY:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2-3/4 cups 2% milk
2 cans (10-1/2 ounces each) condensed beef consomme, undiluted
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
3/4 teaspoon salt
NOODLES:
1 package (16 ounces) egg noodles
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the first 6 ingredients. Add beef; mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape into 1-1/2-in. meatballs (about 36). In a large skillet over medium heat, brown meatballs in batches. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels to drain, reserving drippings in pan., For gravy, stir flour into drippings; cook over medium-high heat until light brown (do not burn). Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Stir in the consomme, Worcestershire sauce, pepper and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened., Reduce heat to medium-low; return meatballs to pan. Cook, uncovered, 15-20 minutes longer or until meatballs are cooked through, stirring occasionally., Meanwhile, cook noodles according to package directions. Drain; toss with butter. Serve with meatball mixture; sprinkle with parsley.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 837 calories, Fat 33g fat (14g saturated fat), Cholesterol 256mg cholesterol, Sodium 1744mg sodium, Carbohydrate 82g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 50g 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

AUTHENTIC SWEDISH MEATBALLS



Authentic Swedish Meatballs image

This recipe is one of my earliest food memories. Every Christmas Eve, my family enjoys an authentic Swedish Smorgasbord, of which this is an essential part. My mother still tells tales (and I'm 40) of me as a toddler, standing by the dish of meatballs and eating as many as I could hold. These are not spicy, like most Scandinavian food, but have a great flavor and texture. In fact, they are so soft, that I usually chill the meat mixture before rolling and frying to avoid meatballs with flat sides. I've included the directions for the gravy, which I usually don't make, as it's traditional, but the balls are wonderful without it on any buffet table, or as an addition to a potluck. They are also good cold, straight from the fridge. If you like to do OAMC cooking, these freeze beautifully, in fact, I never make less than 100 meatballs at a time, lightly brown them, then flash freeze to finish later. The traditional recipe calls for a mix of beef, pork, and veal- if you object to veal, they work equally well with an even mix of beef and pork. Don't try to use these as an option for spaghetti, the seasonings just don't match. Prep time does not include chilling the meat mixture or the prepared meatballs.

Provided by IngridH

Categories     Meat

Time 50m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 tablespoon butter
3 tablespoons onions, grated
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
1/2 lb ground veal
1 egg
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
butter or oil
pan juices
1 tablespoon flour
3/4 cup cream (whole milk works in a pinch)
salt
white pepper

Steps:

  • Melt butter in a skillet.
  • Saute onions in the butter until golden.
  • Soak the bread crumbs in the milk.
  • To the bread mixture, add the meats, egg, onion, allspice, salt, and pepper. Mix until a smooth texture is achieved.
  • Chill mix for an hour or so, to firm it up.
  • Form mix into meatballs, using 1-2 tablespoons of meat per ball. (these should be smaller than a golf ball). If you are making these on a warm day, you might want to chill the formed balls again, so that you don't get flat sides when you fry them.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium high heat.
  • Melt a small amount of butter (traditional) or oil in the pan.
  • Add enough meatballs to fill the pan very loosely.
  • Shake the pan as you fry the balls, to keep the round shape as they cook. Continue to cook until they are evenly brown on all sides.
  • Remove each batch to a warm platter in the oven, as you fry the rest.
  • If you wish to make the gravy, deglaze the pan with a little water after each batch, and reserve the resulting drippings in a bowl.
  • For the gravy:.
  • When all of the meatballs have been fried, mix the flour and cream (or milk), and add to the reserved pan drippings in the skillet.
  • Simmer for 10 minutes.
  • If the mixture is too thick, add a bit of cream (or milk) to thin, then taste and season with salt and/or pepper as needed.
  • Pour gravy over warm meatballs and serve with boiled potatoes and lingonberry sauce.

SWEDISH MEATBALLS (SVENSKA KOTTBULLAR)



Swedish Meatballs (Svenska Kottbullar) image

Our family's traditional Christmas recipe, frequently doubled and kept warm in a crock pot. Worth the effort, and the meatballs are even better the next day! Reserve brown gravy and add sour cream to it the day you serve the leftovers.

Provided by Nom Nom Nom

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Scandinavian

Time 1h25m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 slices day-old white bread, crumbled
½ cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon butter
1 small onion, minced
⅔ pound ground beef
⅓ pound finely ground pork
1 egg
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
⅛ teaspoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon butter
¼ cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, or as needed
2 cups beef broth, or as needed
½ (8 ounce) container sour cream

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Place the bread crumbs into a small bowl, and mix in the cream. Allow to stand until crumbs absorb the cream, about 10 minutes. While the bread is soaking, melt 1 teaspoon of butter in a skillet over medium heat, and cook and stir the onion until it turns light brown, about 10 minutes. Place onion into a mixing bowl; mix with the ground beef, ground pork, egg, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger. Lightly mix in the bread crumbs and cream.
  • Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Pinch off about 1 1/2 tablespoon of the meat mixture per meatball, and form into balls. Place the meatballs into the skillet, and cook just until the outsides are brown, about 5 minutes, turning the meatballs often. Insides of the meatballs will still be pink. Place browned meatballs into a baking dish, pour in chicken broth, and cover with foil.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until the meatballs are tender, about 40 minutes. Remove meatballs to a serving dish.
  • To make brown gravy, pour pan drippings into a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk the flour into the pan drippings until smooth, and gradually whisk in enough beef broth to total about 2 1/2 cups of liquid. Bring the gravy to a simmer, whisking constantly until thick, about 5 minutes. Just before serving, whisk in the sour cream. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Serve the gravy with the meatballs.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 308.7 calories, Carbohydrate 11.9 g, Cholesterol 107.6 mg, Fat 21.3 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 16.9 g, SaturatedFat 10.6 g, Sodium 794.2 mg, Sugar 3.2 g

SCANDINAVIAN MEATBALLS



Scandinavian Meatballs image

These meatballs are a classic on smorgasbord table throughout Scandinavia. Assemble the dish ahead, then just bake before serving. From a December 1988 issue of Bon Appetit. The meatballs were part of a "Scandinavian Christmas Buffet for 20".

Provided by Leslie in Texas

Categories     Meat

Time 1h30m

Yield 20 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 1/2 cups fresh breadcrumbs
3/4 cup milk
1 onion, finely chopped
2 eggs, beaten to blend
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1 lb ground beef
1 lb ground veal
1/2 lb ground lean pork
1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick)
butter (if necessary)
1 large onion, sliced
2 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups canned beef consomme
1 cup whipping cream
fresh ground pepper

Steps:

  • For Meatballs;.
  • Soak breadcrumbs in milk in medium bowl for 10 minutes.
  • Mix in onion, eggs and seasonings.
  • Add meats and beat with an electric mixer or wooden spoon until light and fluffy.
  • Handling gently,form mixture into 2-inch-diameter meatballs; smooth balls between moistened palms.
  • Place in baking pan;refrigerate until firm.
  • Melt butter in large heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add meatballs in batches (do not crowd) and cook until browned on all sides, shaking pan occasionally, about 5 minutes.
  • Drain on paper towels; reserve drippings in skillet.
  • Layer meatballs in deep 4-quart oven-proof casserole or baking dish.
  • For Gravy:.
  • Measure pan drippings and return 3 tablespoons to skillet, adding some butter if necessary.
  • Add onion and cook over medium-low heat until tender, about 8 minutes.
  • Add flour and stir 2 minutes.
  • Gradually mix in consomme and cream.
  • Simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally;season with pepper.
  • Strain over meatballs.
  • (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Bring to room temperature before continuing.).
  • Preheat oven to 275 degrees.
  • Bake casserole until meatballs are heated through, about 45 minutes; serve hot.

SCANDINAVIAN MEATBALLS



Scandinavian Meatballs image

Traditional Finnish meatball recipe with creamy brown gravy sauce. Moreish and honest food, perfect for cheering up gloomy days!

Provided by ladynellington

Time 1h

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 0

Steps:

  • For the meatballs: cut out the crust from the bread slices, then place in a large bowl and pour over milk and cream. Let the bread swell for approximately 5 minutes, then mush with a fork into a smooth paste.
  • Add rest of the meatball ingredients into the bowl and knead in a food processor or by hand for about 5 minutes until the texture is smooth and the mixture doesn't stick to the sides of the bowl.
  • Make golf ball -sized meatballs out of the mixture. Heat butter and oil in a frying pan, and fry the meatballs in two parts (so that they won't stick together) until evenly brown on all sides. The meatballs do not need to be cooked from inside as they will continue cooking in the oven.
  • Place the fried balls in a oven-proof casserole dish to wait. Do not wash the frying pan at this stage!
  • Add beef stock on the un-washed frying pan and bring to boil. Pour the liquid back into a jug from the frying pan, and dry off the pan.
  • Heat the butter on the pan, add the onion and brown until golden. Sieve the flour on the pan and gently fry until it reaches a brown tint.
  • Pour the liquid from the jug little by little on the pan, stirring vigorously to avoid clumps from forming. Bring to boil stirring continuosly, add the cream and allspice and remove from heat.
  • Mix in the blackcurrant jelly and pour through a sieve into the oven-dish on top of the meatballs.
  • Cook in the middle of the oven at 180C/fan 160C/gas 4 for 35 minutes.
  • Serve with creamy mash potatoes or spaghetti.

CLASSIC SWEDISH MEATBALLS



Classic Swedish Meatballs image

I'm a "Svenska flicka" (Swedish girl) from northwest Iowa, where many Swedes settled at the turn of the century. This recipe was given to me by a Swedish friend. It's obviously a 20th century version of a 19th century favorite, since back then they didn't have bouillon cubes or evaporated milk! I think you'll agree that these modern-day "Kottbullar" are very tasty. -Emily Gould, Hawarden, Iowa

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Appetizers

Time 35m

Yield 3-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 14

1-2/3 cups evaporated milk, divided
2/3 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup fine dry bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon allspice
Dash pepper
1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
2 teaspoons butter
2 teaspoons beef bouillon granules
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup cold water
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Canned lingonberries, optional

Steps:

  • Combine 2/3 cup evaporated milk with the next 5 ingredients. Add beef; mix lightly. Refrigerate until chilled., With wet hands, shape meat mixture into 1-in. balls. In a large skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Brown meatballs in batches. Dissolve bouillon in boiling water. Pour over meatballs; bring to a boil. Cover; simmer 15 minutes. , Meanwhile, stir together cold water and flour. Remove meatballs from skillet; skim fat, reserving juices. Add flour mixture and remaining evaporated milk to pan juices; cook, uncovered, over low heat, stirring until sauce thickens. , Return meatballs to skillet. Stir in lemon juice. If desired, top with lingonberries.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 36 calories, Fat 2g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 10mg cholesterol, Sodium 87mg sodium, Carbohydrate 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 3g protein.

Tips:

  • Use a combination of ground beef and pork. This will give the meatballs a richer flavor and juicier texture.
  • Season the meatballs well. Use a combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried thyme.
  • Don't overmix the meatball mixture. Overmixing will make the meatballs tough.
  • Chill the meatball mixture for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This will help the meatballs hold their shape.
  • Cook the meatballs in a skillet over medium heat. Don't overcrowd the skillet, or the meatballs will steam instead of brown.
  • Make sure the meatballs are cooked through before serving. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Serve the meatballs with your favorite gravy or sauce.

Conclusion:

Scandinavian meatballs are a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. They are easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. With a few simple tips, you can make perfect Scandinavian meatballs that your whole family will love.

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