The best Swedish Meatballs are made from scratch with a savory beef and pork blend, simmered in a creamy homemade gravy. This is a classic comfort food that brings restaurant-quality flavor to the kitchen!
Swedish Meatballs is that dinner my whole family begs for.
Swedish Meatballs is that dinner my whole family begs for.We make this Swedish Meatballs recipe all year round, because it uses simple pantry staples, and is a super budget-friendly dinner I can throw together without a special grocery trip. The meatballs and creamy sauce are both made completely from scratch, which gives them that comforting, homemade taste you just can’t get from store-bought or frozen versions. Best of all, it’s easy enough that my kids can help make it; they love getting involved in shaping the meatballs or stirring the sauce, and they all love eating it.
Check out all of my kid-friendly recipes like Healthy Muffins, Mongolian Noodles, American Goulash, or Baked Mac and Cheese!
How to make Swedish Meatballs:
Form and Cook Meatballs: Combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg yolk, sautéed onion, allspice, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Roll into 1-inch balls and cook in a hot skillet with oil, turning until evenly browned.
Make Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter and whisk in flour until golden. Slowly add beef broth, stirring until thickened. Stir in sour cream, season with salt and pepper, then return meatballs to the sauce. Serve these easy Swedish Meatballs over egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice. I love serving it with a side of French Green Beans or Roasted Vegetables.
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Recipe
Swedish Meatballs
Equipment
- Meat Chopper , to mix the meatballs
Ingredients
For the Swedish Meatballs:
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil (28g), divided
- 1 onion , diced
- 1 pound lean ground beef (454g)
- 1 pound ground pork (454g)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (60g)
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice (0.5g)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (0.5g)
- 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (9g)
- 3/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper (1.5g)
For the Gravy:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (57g)
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (40g)
- 3 3/4 cups low-sodium beef broth (900mL)
- 3/4 cup sour cream (180g)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper , to taste
- 2 Tablespoons fresh chopped parsley (8g), chopped
- 1 lb egg noodles (454g), cooked (or cooked rice), for serving
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, and cook, stirring frequently, until onions are translucent, about 2-3 minutes; set aside.1 onion
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, bread crumbs, egg yolks, allspice, nutmeg and onion. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.1 pound lean ground beef, 1 pound ground pork, ½ cup breadcrumbs, 2 large egg yolks, ¼ teaspoon ground allspice, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¾ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- Stir mixture with a meat chopper or wooden spoon until well combined. Use clean hands to roll the mixture into meatballs about 1 1/2-in in size (It should make about 20-24 meatballs).
- Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet. Add meatballs, in batches, and cook until all sides are browned, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
For the Swedish Meatball Sauce:
- Melt butter in the skillet. Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in beef broth and cook, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened, about 1-2 minutes.¼ cup unsalted butter, ⅓ cup all-purpose flour, 3 ¾ cups low-sodium beef broth
- Stir in sour cream; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in meatballs and cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through and thickened, about 8-10 minutes.¾ cup sour cream, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Serve immediately, garnished with parsley, if desired.2 Tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
Notes
Nutrition
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*I originally shared this recipe August 2014, adapted from Damn Delicious. Updated March 2019, August 2022 and July 2025.
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Ive had this before and my husband loves it so we’re going to have it again.
I see the nutrition facts on the bottom, how big would you say each portion is?
Hi Kathy–sorry, I’ve updated the nutritional info to reflect a serving size of 3 meatballs. Glad you enjoyed it!
This is one of the best dishes I’ve eaten. SO flavorful!
Thoughts on using Greek yogurt instead if sour cream?
I’ve used Greek yogurt and it still tasted great!
Lauren,
Thank you for providing a recipe even ‘The worst cook in America’ can make haha. No joke my boyfriend and I laughed the entire way through making this meal and although it wasn’t pretty, due to my lack of meatball handling skills, it was DELICIOUS! Love your blog and hope to see you and your adorable family soon!
You’re comment made my day! Thanks Katie –We would love to see you soon too!–maybe at the reunion next year!
I’m making this tonight, except totally gluten free, as my daughter has Celiac disease. She is very excited about this!!
Awesome! I’d love to here how you like it–hope you daughter does as well!
Had this for dinner..meatballs were so moist and yummy! Best gravy ever! Thanks!
About how many meatballs does this recipe make?
Hi Janet, it makes about 20-24, 1 1/2 in size meatballs
What are your thoughts on using chicken broth instead of beef broth?
Hi Jennifer, I’m sure they will be great with chicken broth–a slightly different flavor, but still good!
yum! I think I found dinner tonight. My family will love these!
Thanks Melanie, let me know how you like them!
My kids LOVE meatballs! I’m gonna have to try these ones!
They are totally kid friendly! Hope you like them!