Swedish Meatballs
Köttbullar — Swedish meatballs — became a defining dish of Swedish home cooking, but their spicing carries a foreign signature. King Charles XII spent years in Ottoman exile before returning to Sweden in 1715, and the allspice and nutmeg that mark köttbullar apart from any other meatball are thought to trace back to that culinary exchange. The cream sauce and lingonberry accompaniment are entirely Swedish additions. Beef and pork are combined: pork fat gives the meatballs their tenderness, and breadcrumbs soaked in milk keep the texture soft without heaviness. The gravy is built from the pan drippings — deglazed with beef stock and finished with cream until glossy. Lingonberries go alongside as a sharp, sweet counterpoint; they are not stirred in.
Rich in protein
Filling and nutritious
Can be frozen
Great for meal prep
Traditional recipe
Authentic taste
Ingredients 4 servings
- 500g mixed ground pork and beef (50/50)
- 1 medium onion, grated
- 1 slice white bread, crusts removed, soaked in 3 tbsp milk
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 tsp ground allspice
- 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
- 2 tbsp butter for frying
- 250ml beef stock
- 150ml double cream
How to make it
- 1Squeeze the soaked bread to remove excess milk, then mix with the ground meat, grated onion (squeeze out excess liquid), egg, allspice, nutmeg, salt and pepper.
- 2Mix well but do not overwork — overworking makes the meatballs tough.
- 3With wet hands, roll into balls about 3cm in diameter, yielding about 20–24 meatballs.
- 4Melt butter in a wide skillet over medium heat.
- 5Fry the meatballs in batches, rolling gently to brown all sides evenly, 6–8 minutes per batch.
- 6Remove and set aside.
- 7In the same pan, stir in the beef stock, scraping up the fond, and bring to a simmer.
- 8Add the cream and simmer 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- 9Return the meatballs to the sauce and cook on low heat 5 more minutes.
- 10Serve with lingonberry jam, boiled or mashed potatoes, and pickled cucumber.
Nutritional info
per serving (~400 ml)
Estimated nutritional values.
Pairs perfectly with
