This easy Swedish Meatballs are a weeknight favorite. Tender beef meatballs cooked to perfection in a cast iron skillet, surrounded by a delicious and easy cream sauce. Topped with lingonberry preserves, this weeknight meal is like no other comfort food!
These homemade Swedish Meatballs can be done in one skillet and in 30 minutes, making them perfect for a weeknight meal. Serve them with mashed potatoes or egg noodles, and lingonberry preserves!
This meal is easy to make in 30 minutes, and its a one skillet meal the kiddos can help with. They can also help make the meatballs, depending on their age/maturity level – my oldest daughter helped me shape this Swedish meatballs recipe and thought it was so fun!
The meatballs themselves aren’t really that different from the typical Italian style everyone knows. What makes them fun is the unique gravy and the lingonberry preserves you eat them with.
This recipe is part of my “Eat Like A Princess” series, where I create weeknight meals inspired by the classic princesses in the hopes to help kids explore new foods, flavors, and cultures. This meal was inspired by princesses Anna and Elsa from Frozen.
How to make this easy Swedish meatballs recipe
For the full set of directions, make sure you scroll down to the recipe card below.
Cook the homemade meatballs.
- In a medium bowl, mix together all the ingredients for the meatballs. Do not over mix or you will have tough meatballs. Just barely combine.
- Form roughly 16-20 meatballs with the mixture. You can use your hands or a cookie scoop.
- Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium heat with 1 Tablespoon of olive oil.
- Cook the meatballs, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes.
- Remove the meatballs to a plate lined with paper towels.
- Cover with foil and set aside.
Make Swedish meatball sauce.
- Place the butter in the skillet and allow to melt.
- Whisk in the flour, and whisk, whisk, whisk, until it is all incorporated.
- Slowly (like 2 TBSP at a time) whisk in the beef broth. Fully incorporate each addition before you add more. This helps to ensure you don’t get lumps in your gravy, so its ok to move slow.
- When all the broth has been incorporated, allow it to simmer for 5 minutes.
- Mix in the sour cream and simmer the sauce for 5 more minutes.
- Stir in the lingonberry preserves and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Return the meatballs to the gravy and allow to simmer for 2 minutes to heat through.
- Sprinkle with either chopped parsley or chives.
Preparing ahead of time
Swedish Meatballs can easily be prepared ahead of time. Simple bake the meatballs and store in the fridge until ready to eat. Make the simple gravy to add to the meatballs right before you eat.
What to serve with Swedish meatballs
I suggest serving this with either mashed potatoes or egg noodles.
For a well rounded meal, add this crisp and refreshing Swedish Cucumber Salad, this easy and delightfully pink Swedish Red Beet and Apple Salad, and don’t forget dessert – these easy Swedish Chocolate Balls are fantastic and easy!
For extra credit, check out these awesome kids books about Nordic culture. And you totally have to make Swedish Pancakes as well!
Making this meal kid friendly
Swedish Meatballs are naturally very kid-friendly! Kids LOVE meatballs, and the mild flavors here will go over really well. Plus, everyone loves gravy, right?
Serving the lingonberries on the side to dip in will be a fun and new treat your kids will enjoy.
Family Dinner Conversations
Dinner time should be more than micromanaging each and every bite your kids take. Use this opportunity to
- Talk about the textures, flavors, colors, and smells of the Swedish meatballs, and other parts of the meal.
- Ask questions about what their favorite part of the Swedish Meatballs are, what they would like to change next time, or how you could make it better?
For more information on how to have awesome family dinner conversations that actually help your kids eat better, check out my Family Dinner Conversation Starters!
How to serve
Homemade Swedish meatballs are a great meal to serve family style! Place the skillet with the meatballs and hte sauce on the table and allow everyone to serve themselves. The Lingonberry jam can also go in a bowl on the tale, with a small spoon to serve with.
When kids are allowed to choose how much of each food they get, they love that responsibility and independence, which means they are more likely to eat more of what they pick.
Kids in the Kitchen: How your Kids can Help you Cook Swedish Meatballs:
One of the best ways to get kids interested in eating new foods is to get them involved! Here are some easy ways your kids can help you cook these Homemade Swedish Meatballs:
- Kids aged 1-3 can help you measure out ingredients and wash the chives.
- Kids aged 4-6 can help you do everything above, chop the chives, plus dish out the lingonberry jam for the table,
- Kids aged 7-10+ can help you do everything above, plus help make the meatballs, and whisk the gravy.
*Please note that these recommendations are generalized, and to please use your personal discretion with your child’s skill level. And always, always supervise! Read more about how to have your children help you in the kitchen.
There’s nothing I love more than seeing you having an amazing meal with your family! If you make this easy Swedish Meatball recipe, take a picture of you making or sharing them with someone you love!
Then post your photo on Instagram or Facebook and tag @gingeredwhisk and use the hashtag #gingeredwhisk. I can’t wait to see what you’re cooking and share it!
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Easy Swedish Meatball Recipe
These easy Swedish Meatballs can be done in one skillet and in 30 minutes, making them perfect for a weeknight meal! Serve them with mashed potatoes or egg noodles, and lingonberry preserves!
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1/4 tsp ground allspice
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 TBSP dried chopped onion
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp mustard
- 1 lb ground beef
Gravy:
- 1 TBSP butter
- 3 TBSP flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup sour cream
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 TBSP lingonberry preserves
Serving:
- lingonberry preserves
- chives or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix together all the ingredients for the meatballs.
- Form roughly 16-20 meatballs with the mixture.
- Place the meatballs in a large cast iron skillet, heated with 1 TBSP olive oil.
- Cook the meatballs, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes.
- Remove the meatballs to a plate lined with paper towels.
- Cover with foil and set aside.
- Place the butter in the skillet
- Whisk in the flour, and whisk, whisk, whisk, until it is all incorporated.
- Slowly (like 2 TBSP at a time) whisk in the beef broth. Fully incorporate each addition before you add more.
- Allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add in the sour cream and simmer for 5 more minutes.
- Stir in the lingonberry preserves and season with salt and pepper.
- Return the meatballs to the gravy and allow to simmer for 2 minutes.
- Sprinkle with either chopped parsley or chives.
- Serve with egg noodles or mashed potatoes and Enjoy!
Notes
Swedish meatblls freeze and reheat really well, so you can easily fit them into your scheudle!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 562Total Fat: 35gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 142mgSodium: 761mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 2gSugar: 12gProtein: 36g
Kristyn
Friday 11th of March 2022
We love swedish meatballs!! I have never added the preserves on top & what a difference!! It adds so much flavor! Great recipe!
Toni
Friday 11th of March 2022
I love how comforting and satisfying this is!! A huge hit at my house!
Liz
Wednesday 9th of June 2021
My mom has been wanting to try Swedish meatballs so this is perfect! Thanks for the recipe!
Natalie
Wednesday 9th of June 2021
My kids love Swedish meatballs. I will have to give your recipe a try. Love the addition of Worcestershire sauce. And you used fresh onion. Sounds very delicious. Thanks for the recipe!
Sophie
Monday 26th of August 2019
I have had a lot of good things about this recipe. I have had the vegan version once in Ikea. Will forward this to my meat loving sister.