Swedish Meatballs Recipe with Gravy
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This Swedish Meatballs Recipe with Gravy is made with ground beef and lamb, spices and fresh herbs. The creamy, savory gravy is amazing poured on top and served over mashed potatoes, noodles or steamed rice.
Swedish Meatballs Recipe with Gravy
Swedish Meatballs are one of those comfort food dishes that have quite a few variations out there like the infamous Ikea Swedish meatballs.
When the feeling hits me for one of my favorite comfort foods, meatballs, these are one that’s near the top of my list to make. Speaking of comfort food, this Salisbury Steak recipe always hits the spot, too!
What’s the difference between a Swedish and Italian meatball?
Traditional Swedish meatballs typically use a beef and pork combination, but I enjoy lamb too, and it works well in this with the spices and fresh herbs. Feel free to substitute with more beef or pork if you prefer, but I hope you give this a try. The gravy or sauce if you prefer, is a white, rich and creamy one made with pan juices, flour and cream and sour cream.
Typically Italian meatballs are made using a ground beef and veal mix usually served with a savory, tomato based sauce using different herbs.
What is Swedish meatball sauce or gravy?
After the Swedish meatballs have been shaken and browned in the skillet set them aside, covered to stay warm.
For my Swedish meatball I add butter and diced shallots to the skillet that has the remaining oil and browned bits leftover from the sautéed meatballs. If you don’t have a shallot then use an onion. Worcestershire sauce, sherry and beef broth are added to the flour and sautéed shallots, then cream and sour cream are whisked in. It’s dreamy. Really, really good.
The browned meatballs go back in the sauce and get heated through.
Truth be told one of my favorite ways to serve these Swedish Meatballs is over very thin crispy, golden brown french fries, but feel free to spoon over mashed potatoes, noodles or steamed rice.
Lingonberry jam is also served along side these, also known as mountain cranberries or partridge berries in North America, and can be found at World Markets, Walmarts and on Amazon.
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Swedish Meatballs Recipe with Gravy
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground lamb (or beef if not preferred)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup parsley chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh dill chopped
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/3 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Gravy
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 shallot medium sized diced (or 1/2 onion, diced)
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sherry
- 3 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or Half and Half
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- chopped dill for garnish optional
Instructions
Meatballs:
- In a small bowl add the breadcrumbs and milk. Toss to absorb and set aside.
- Add the ground beef and lamb (See Note 1) to a large bowl. Add the egg, breadcrumb mixture, salt, pepper, allspice, nutmeg and half of the chopped parsley and dill. Mix together by hand until incorporated completely.
- Use a 2-inch scoop or a heaping tablespoon and roll into small balls. Makes 32 meatballs depending on size rolled. Set aside.
- In a large frying pan add the olive oil and over medium heat sauté meatballs, shaking and turning until brown on all sides and cooked throughout. Transfer to a plate, cover with foil and set aside.
Gravy:
- In same skillet add the butter and over medium heat sauté the shallot/onion for 3 minutes or until soft. Whisk in the flour and cook for a minute more. Stir in the sherry, Worcestershire sauce, salt, broth, cream and sour cream. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cook for several minutes until thickened. Add remaining parsley and dill. Stir to incorporate, season to taste.
- Place meatballs in skillet, tossing to coat with sauce and simmer for 1-2 minutes. Serve over mashed potatoes, noodles, rice or French fries.
Notes
- Feel free to substitute the ground lamb for ground pork or beef.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Excellent! Made for our Thanksgiving day apps and now making for our New Years holiday party. Everybody loved the touch of Sherry!!
Excellent! Love to read comments like this Lynn. Thanks so much for coming back to let me know!
That beautiful gravy with the meatballs looks amazing, I agree that meatballs are one of the best comfort foods ever, nice touch with the fresh dill, now I know the difference between Italian and Swedish meatballs 🙂
Thanks so much Albert!
I haven’t had Swedish meatballs for ages! Yours look rich and perfect!
Thanks and I love the fresh pop of dill Marissa. So good!
Can’t wait to try these Kevin! And way to go anticipating my lingonberry question! 😉
Hope you enjoy these Eva and glad I could assist on the lingonberry! 🙂
These look so good, Kevin! Total comfort food and I would definitely need to enjoy these over some tatos with extra sauce 🙂
Over spuds for the win, definitely. Thanks Dawn. 🙂