Best 5 Swedish Kottbullar Or Danish Frikadeller Recipes

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If you crave a culinary journey to Scandinavia, look no further than the enticing flavors of Swedish kottbullar and Danish frikadeller. These delectable meatballs, steeped in rich traditions, offer a harmony of savory sensations that will tantalize your taste buds. Whether you prefer the classic Swedish meatballs, often served with a creamy gravy and lingonberry jam, or the Danish frikadeller, known for their crispy exterior and juicy interior, this article will guide you through the path to crafting these culinary gems. Discover the secrets of creating succulent meatballs, mastering the art of shaping and frying, and, of course, savoring the symphony of flavors that make these dishes so beloved.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

DANISH MEATBALLS (FRIKADELLER)



Danish Meatballs (Frikadeller) image

The Danes and the Swedes were in numerous wars over hundreds of years; one reason could have been 'the meatballs'. Most people will think of Sweden and perhaps IKEA when they think of meatballs; however it is also a traditional dish in Denmark and it is a dish that varies from family to family, often being passed down through generations. My recipe goes back at least 100 years, perhaps more; but I have traced it back to my great-grandmother and can remember making the meatballs with my grandmother as a little girl. The difference between the Danish and Swedish meatballs is often that ground pork is added to Danish meatballs making them fluffier and - being Danish - I think more tasty ;)

Provided by Deantini

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 30m

Yield 15 meatballs, 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

350 g extra lean ground beef
150 g ground lean pork (as lean as you can get, ground pork in Denmark only has around 8-10% fat)
1 egg
8 tablespoons breadcrumbs
1 onion, small, shredded finely on cheese grater
1/2 cup water
1 3/4 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons black pepper (add more if you want a spicier meatball)

Steps:

  • Mix together all ingredients using hands in a big bowl. To get the right consistency it is important that all ingredients get well mixed and gets softened a bit. I would say that you should knead for around 5 minutes.
  • Form into meatballs according to the size you prefer. In Denmark meatballs used for dinner is the size of the palm of your hand, and lunch meat balls are about half of that. (Quantity for this recipe is based on dinner meatballs).
  • Heat a non-stick pan to medium-hot and place the meatballs in the pan. If you feel they stick too much to the pan, you can add a bit of butter to the pan (not oil). Turn the meatballs with a fork once they have started to brown. Keep turning them every 4 min or so being careful that they do not brown too much. Cook for approx 15-20 min until cooked through.
  • Serve with a potato salad, mashed potatoes or cooked potatoes with a white milk based gravy.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 362.6, Fat 15.1, SaturatedFat 5.7, Cholesterol 127.8, Sodium 1324, Carbohydrate 23.8, Fiber 2, Sugar 3, Protein 30.9

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

FRIKADELLER (DANISH MEATBALLS)



Frikadeller (Danish Meatballs) image

This recipe comes straight from my mother-in-law in Denmark. It's a little labor-intensive, but once you get the hang of it, you'll be addicted! Serve warm with a brown sauce, small red boiled potatoes, and sweet and sour cabbage. Better still, double the batch and have enough the next day to slice and place on toast with mayonnaise (open-faced, of course, the Scandinavian way)!

Provided by Marigat

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Scandinavian

Time 1h5m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

½ pound ground veal
½ pound ground pork
¼ cup milk, or as needed
¼ cup finely grated onion
1 egg
¼ cup bread crumbs, or as needed
¼ cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup seltzer water
salt and pepper to taste
¼ cup margarine

Steps:

  • Mix the veal and pork together in a bowl, and stir in the milk, onion, and egg. Mix the bread crumbs into the meat. Sprinkle in the flour, and knead well to mix. Stir in the seltzer water, season to taste with salt and pepper, and mix well. The mixture should be very moist, but not dripping.
  • Chill the meat mixture for 15 to 30 minutes in the refrigerator, to make the meatballs easier to form.
  • Heat the margarine in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • To form meatballs, scoop up about 2 1/2 tablespoons of meat mixture with a large spoon, and form the mixture into a slightly flattened, oval meatball about the size of a small egg. Place the meatballs into the heated skillet, and fry for about 15 minutes per side, until the meatballs are well-browned and no longer pink in the center.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 246.2 calories, Carbohydrate 8.4 g, Cholesterol 83.2 mg, Fat 16.3 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 15.7 g, SaturatedFat 4.6 g, Sodium 177.5 mg, Sugar 1.2 g

DANISH FRIKADELLER OR SWEDISH KOTTBULLAR MEATBALLS



Danish Frikadeller or Swedish Kottbullar Meatballs image

Posting for ZWT 6 Scandinavian This recipe is from THE BEST RECIPES IN THE WORLD by Mark Bittman

Provided by Boo Chef in West Te

Categories     Danish

Time 45m

Yield 12 , 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/2 cup bread or 1/2 cup cracker crumb
1 cup cream (optional) or 1 cup half-and-half, 2/3 cup (optional)
4 tablespoons butter, 1 tablespoon (optional)
1 medium onion, minced
salt and black pepper
ground pork, veal, and beef or 1 1/2 lbs ground pork
1 pinch allspice or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
2 tablespoons flour (optional)
3/4 cup chicken stock, preferably homemade or 3/4 cup water

Steps:

  • Soak the bread or cracker crumbs in 1/3 cup of the cream. Put 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and a bit of salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat.
  • Combine the bread crumbs, onion, meat, and spice, along with some more salt and pepper; do not overmix or overhandle. With wet hands or wet spoons, shape the meat into small meatballs (I would say as small as you have the patience for, but no more than an inch in diameter).
  • Put 2 tablespoons of the remaining butter in the skillet and turn the heat to medium-high. When the butter melts, begin adding the meatballs, a few at a time; you may have to cook in batches. Brown nicely on all sides and turn off the heat. Serve immediately or proceed to the next step.
  • To make a sauce, remove all but a trace of fat from the pan. Return the pan to the stove over medium heat and add the remaining butter and, after it melts, the flour. Stirring constantly, add the stock and cook until slightly thickened. Add the remaining cream and continue to cook for a few more minutes or until thickened. Taste and adjust the seasoning, then pour the meatballs into the sauce to reheat before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 103.9, Fat 10.1, SaturatedFat 4.2, Cholesterol 14, Sodium 13.6, Carbohydrate 1.8, Fiber 0.2, Sugar 0.5, Protein 1.4

SWEDISH KOTTBULLAR OR DANISH FRIKADELLER



Swedish Kottbullar or Danish Frikadeller image

Categories     Bread     Sauce     Beef     Side

Yield makes 12 or more servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/2 cup bread or cracker crumbs
1 cup cream or half-and-half, 2/3 cup optional
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, 1 tablespoon optional
1 medium onion, minced
Salt and black pepper to taste
1/2 pound each ground pork, veal, and beef, or 1 1/2 pounds ground pork
Pinch of ground cloves or allspice or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
2 tablespoons flour, optional
3/4 cup beef or chicken stock, preferably homemade (page 160), or water, optional

Steps:

  • Soak the bread or cracker crumbs in 1/3 cup of the cream. Put 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and a bit of salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat.
  • Combine the bread crumbs, onion, meat, and spice, along with some more salt and pepper; do not over mix or over handle. With wet hands or wet spoons, shape the meat into small meatballs (I would say as small as you have the patience for, but no more than an inch in diameter).
  • Put 2 tablespoons of the remaining butter in the skillet and turn the heat to medium-high. When the butter melts, begin adding the meatballs, a few at a time; you may have to cook in batches. Brown nicely on all sides and turn off the heat. Serve immediately or proceed to the next step.
  • To make a sauce, remove all but a trace of fat from the pan. Return the pan to the stove over medium heat and add the remaining butter and, after it melts, the flour. Stirring constantly, add the stock and cook until slightly thickened. Add the remaining cream and continue to cook for a few more minutes or until thickened. Taste and adjust the seasoning, then pour the meatballs into the sauce to reheat before serving.

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your meatballs.
  • Don't overmix the meatball mixture. Overmixing can make the meatballs tough.
  • Brown the meatballs well before simmering them. This will help to develop their flavor.
  • Use a flavorful sauce. The sauce is what really makes these meatballs special.
  • Serve the meatballs with your favorite sides. Some popular options include mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice.

Conclusion:

Kottbullar and frikadeller are two delicious and versatile dishes that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are easy to make and can be served with a variety of sides. Whether you are looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a special occasion dish, kottbullar or frikadeller are sure to please.

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