Swedish Meatballs (Svenska Kottbullar)
+8 photos

Swedish Meatballs (Svenska Kottbullar)

6 servings
Juicy Swedish meatballs made with seasoned ground beef and pork, baked and served with a savory brown gravy sauce for a family-friendly comfort meal.

Ingredients

  • slices day-old white bread

    crumbled

    4
  • heavy cream
    1 c
  • butter
    2 tsp
  • onion

    minced

    2 small
  • 6668653488 pound ground beef
    2 ⅛
  • 3334326744 pound finely ground pork
    2 ⅛
  • egg
    1 ½
  • brown sugar
    1 ½ tbsp
  • salt
    1 ½ tsp
  • ground black pepper
    1 tsp
  • ground nutmeg
    ½ tsp
  • ground allspice
    ½ tsp
  • ground ginger
    ⅞ tsp
  • butter
    1 ½ tbsp
  • chicken broth
    1 c
  • all-purpose flour

    or as needed

    3 tbsp
  • beef broth

    or as needed

    3 c
  • container sour cream
    1

Directions

  1. 1

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

  2. 2

    Place bread crumbs into a small bowl; mix in cream. Allow to stand until crumbs absorb cream, about 10 minutes.

    Step 2
  3. 3

    Meanwhile, melt 1 teaspoon butter in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir onion until light brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer onion to a mixing bowl.

    Step 3
  4. 4

    Mix ground beef, ground pork, egg, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger with onion in the mixing bowl. Lightly mix in bread crumbs and cream.

    Step 4
  5. 5

    Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Pinch off about 1 ½ tablespoons meat mixture per meatball; form into balls. Place meatballs into the skillet and cook, turning often, until browned, about 5 minutes. Insides of meatballs will still be pink.

    Step 5
  6. 6

    Place browned meatballs into a baking dish, pour in chicken broth, and cover with foil.

  7. 7

    Bake in the preheated oven until meatballs are tender, about 40 minutes. Remove meatballs to a serving dish.

    Step 7
  8. 8

    Pour pan drippings into a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk flour into drippings until smooth.

    Step 8
  9. 9

    Gradually whisk in enough beef broth to total about 2 ½ cups liquid.

    Step 9
  10. 10

    Bring gravy to a simmer, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 5 minutes.

    Step 10
  11. 11

    Just before serving, whisk in sour cream. Season with salt and black pepper. Serve gravy with meatballs.

    Step 11
Swedish Meatballs (Svenska Kottbullar)
+8

Swedish Meatballs (Svenska Kottbullar)

95 min6 servings309 cal

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About this Recipe

Craving the ultimate comfort food that brings everyone to the table? Our Swedish Meatballs (Svenska Kottbullar) recipe delivers that classic, cozy experience right in your home, embodying the rich flavors you remember.

What makes these Swedish Meatballs truly special is the thoughtful blend of seasoned ground beef and finely ground pork, creating incredibly juicy and tender meatballs every time. The secret to their moist texture lies in incorporating day-old white bread soaked in heavy cream, ensuring each meatball remains succulent. They're baked to perfection and then enveloped in a rich, savory brown gravy sauce that sets this dish apart.

Prepare for a wonderfully rich and comforting meal that's perfect for a family dinner. Each bite of these Swedish meatballs offers a delightful mix of savory meat, subtly sweet notes from brown sugar, and warm, aromatic spices like nutmeg and allspice. The meatballs themselves are incredibly tender, complemented by the smooth, luscious gravy. The finishing touch of sour cream in the sauce adds a signature creamy tang, creating a truly authentic taste of home that feels both familiar and special.

While this recipe shines with its specific blend of beef and pork, you could experiment with varying the meat ratio slightly to suit your preference, though the combination is key to the traditional flavor. For a different depth of flavor in the gravy, consider a splash of dry sherry or a pinch of dried thyme when you add the broths. If you prefer a milder spice profile, you can slightly reduce the nutmeg and allspice, or enhance them if you love their warmth.

These savory Swedish Meatballs are the quintessential family-friendly comfort meal, ideal for a relaxed weekend dinner or a festive gathering. Serve them generously over creamy mashed potatoes, wide egg noodles, or alongside a side of tangy lingonberry jam for a truly authentic presentation.

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