Swedish Meatballs (homemade Ikea Meatballs)

Swedish Meatballs (homemade Ikea Meatballs)

5 servings
Recipe video above. Juicy meatballs smothered in a beautiful creamy gravy, with a hint of spicing that Swedish Meatballs are known for. Made extra soft and extra tasty by soaking fresh bread in grated onion - tried and tested technique used in my most of my meatball recipes, highly approved by readers! (See Italian Meatball reviews as an example)

Ingredients

  • white sandwich bread )
    2 slice
  • onion)

    , small (brown, white or yellow

    1
  • 300g / 10 oz ground beef

    mince

  • 300g / 10 oz ground pork)

    mince

  • egg
    1
  • ground nutmeg
    ¼ tsp
  • All Spice powder

    Note 3

    ¼ tsp
  • black pepper
    ¼ tsp
  • salt
    ¾ tsp
  • oil
    1 tbsp
  • 40g / 3 tbsp butter

    , unsalted

  • flour
    3 tbsp
  • beef broth/stock

    or sub with chicken), (salt reduced

    2 c
  • heavy / thickened cream

    Note 4

    ½ c

Directions

  1. 1

    Grate onion using a standard box grater (see video).

  2. 2

    Scrape onion and juices into bowl. Add bread and mix well - onion juice should make bread soggy (if not, add a tiny splash of milk). Set aside to soak for 1 minute.

  3. 3

    Add remaining Meatball ingredients EXCEPT oil. Mix well.

  4. 4

    Using a tablespoon measure and measure out a heaped tablespoon (or use ice cream scooper which is what I do), dollop on work surface. Repeat with remaining mixture: 25 - 30 meatballs. Then roll into shape.

Cooking

  1. 1

    Heat 1 tbsp oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Add half the meatballs and brown all over (but raw inside still) - about 3 minutes. Remove onto plate, then brown the remaining batch.

  2. 2

    If there is lots of oil, pour off excess and discard. Lower heat to medium.

Gravy

  1. 1

    Add butter into skillet and melt. Add flour and stir in. Cook for 1 minute.

  2. 2

    While mixing, add about 1/4 of the beef broth - it will thicken quickly. Then gradually add remaining beef broth, stirring as you go. Switch to whisk if required to make it lump free.

  3. 3

    When the liquid is simmering, add meatball and juices pooled on plate.

  4. 4

    Turn up heat slightly to keep it at a rapid simmer. Cook for 8 - 10 minutes or until the liquid thickens into a thin gravy, stirring occasionally.

  5. 5

    Add cream, simmer for a further 2 minutes then remove from stove.

  6. 6

    Serve over mashed potato (or Cauliflower Mash for low carb). For a truly authentic experience, add a dollop of ligonberry jam on the side!

Swedish Meatballs (homemade Ikea Meatballs)

Swedish Meatballs (homemade Ikea Meatballs)

50 min5 servings475 cal

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About this Recipe

Homemade Swedish Meatballs (Just Like Ikea!)

Craving those incredibly tender, flavorful meatballs smothered in a rich, creamy gravy? Look no further! This recipe for homemade Swedish Meatballs brings all the comforting taste you adore, often associated with your favorite furniture store, right into your kitchen. Forget the long queues, because these juicy meatballs, complete with their signature creamy gravy, are surprisingly simple to make and promise an authentic Swedish experience.

What makes these Swedish Meatballs truly special? The secret to their unparalleled softness and incredible flavor lies in a simple yet effective technique: soaking fresh bread in grated onion. This method infuses every bite with a gentle sweetness and ensures the meatballs are extra tender, melting in your mouth. We then perfectly season them with a classic hint of nutmeg and allspice – those distinct warming spices that truly define the dish.

The star alongside our meatballs is, of course, the luscious sauce for Swedish meatballs. We're talking about a velvety smooth, deeply savory beef gravy made with butter, flour, rich beef broth, and a generous splash of heavy cream. It coats each meatball beautifully, creating an indulgent and comforting meal perfect for any occasion. Serve them traditionally with fluffy mashed potatoes and a dollop of lingonberry jam for the ultimate classic pairing. This recipe yields about 5 generous servings in just 50 minutes total, making it an ideal weeknight dinner or a delightful weekend project.

Variations & Tips:

  • For an extra punch of flavor, you can add a tiny pinch of dried dill to the meatball mixture.
  • If you prefer, feel free to use all ground beef instead of the beef and pork blend. The pork adds moisture, but all beef will still be delicious!
  • Don't skip the fresh bread and grated onion step – it truly makes a difference in texture and taste.

Frequently Asked Questions