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Best Ever Swedish Meatballs with Authentic Creamy Gravy

Close-up of savory Swedish meatballs smothered in creamy brown gravy served over egg noodles.
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Make tender, juicy Swedish meatballs smothered in a rich, creamy gravy. This recipe delivers the classic comfort food flavor you expect, perfect for a family dinner served over egg noodles or mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 lb ground pork
  • 1 small onion, finely grated or minced
  • 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons butter, for frying
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil, for frying
  • For the Gravy:
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce (optional, for color/depth)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Combine the ground beef, ground pork, grated onion, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, salt, pepper, allspice, and nutmeg in a large bowl. Mix gently with your hands until just combined; do not overmix.
  2. Roll the mixture into small, uniform balls, about 1 inch in diameter. You should have about 30 to 35 meatballs.
  3. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat.
  4. Working in batches to avoid crowding the pan, brown the meatballs on all sides until they have a nice crust. Remove the browned meatballs and set them aside on a plate.
  5. Prepare the gravy: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute to create a roux.
  6. Slowly whisk in the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the gravy thickens slightly, about 3 to 5 minutes.
  7. Stir in the heavy cream and soy sauce (if using). Taste the gravy and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  8. Return the browned meatballs to the skillet. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the meatballs simmer gently in the gravy for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they are cooked through and moist.
  9. Serve the Swedish meatballs and creamy gravy immediately over egg noodles or mashed potatoes.

Notes

  • For extra moist meatballs, soak the breadcrumbs in the milk for 5 minutes before mixing them into the meat.
  • If you prefer a thicker gravy, let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes, or mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water and whisk it into the simmering gravy until it thickens.
  • You can substitute half of the ground beef with ground veal for a more traditional flavor profile.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delicerecipe.com/swedish-meatballs-creamy-gravy-recipe/