Traditional Swedish Meatballs with Creamy Gravy

Name: Traditional Swedish Meatballs with Creamy Gravy
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Swedish
Ingredients: 1 lb Ground beef (80/20); 0.5 lb Ground pork; 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs; 0.25 cup Whole milk; 1 piece Egg; 1 piece Yellow onion, finely grated; 0.25 tsp Ground allspice; 0.25 tsp Ground nutmeg; 4 tbsp Butter; 3 tbsp All-purpose flour; 2 cups Beef broth; 0.5 cup Heavy cream; 1 to taste Salt and black pepper

Traditional Swedish meatballs with creamy gravy served over mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam

Vanessa Taylor

Published: May 26, 2026

Categories: Scandinavian, Meat & Poultry Appetizers

Tags: Meatballs, Comfort Food, Dinner, Scandinavian, Swedish

Swedish Meatballs

Tender meatballs in a rich, velvety gravy. The ultimate Scandinavian comfort food classic.

Prep Time:20 minCook Time:25 minTotal Time:45 minServings:4Difficulty:Medium

There is something incredibly soul-warming about a plate of authentic Swedish meatballs, or 'Köttbullar.' Unlike standard meatballs, these are characterized by their tender, light texture and a subtle hint of warm spices like allspice and nutmeg. They aren't just a meal; they are a centerpiece of Swedish hospitality, often served at holidays and family gatherings alike. The secret lies in the blend of meats and the way the breadcrumbs soak up milk to ensure every bite is exceptionally juicy.

The real magic happens when these golden-brown morsels meet the 'gräddsås'—a silky, savory cream gravy that ties the whole dish together. Traditionally, you’d serve these alongside creamy mashed potatoes, a few crisp pickled cucumber slices, and a generous dollop of tart lingonberry jam. The contrast between the savory meat, the rich sauce, and the bright, acidic jam is what makes this dish a world-renowned favorite. I promise, once you make these from scratch, you'll never look at the frozen ones the same way again!

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories:520 kcal

Protein:28 g

Carbs:16 g

Fat:38 g

Directions

1

In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs and milk together. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it forms a thick paste.
2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, grated onion, egg, allspice, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and the soaked breadcrumbs.
3

Use your hands to gently mix until just combined—be careful not to overwork the meat or the meatballs will be tough.
4

Roll the mixture into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. You should get roughly 24-30 meatballs.
5

Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches and brown them on all sides until cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Remove them from the pan and set aside.
6

In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until it turns light brown.
7

Slowly pour in the beef broth while whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Simmer for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
8

Stir in the heavy cream and season with extra salt and pepper if needed. Add the meatballs back into the sauce and toss to coat.
9

Serve warm over mashed potatoes with a side of lingonberry jam.

Ingredients

Ground beef (80/20):1 lb
Ground pork:0.5 lb
Breadcrumbs:0.5 cup
Whole milk:0.25 cup
Egg:1 piece
Yellow onion, finely grated:1 piece
Ground allspice:0.25 tsp
Ground nutmeg:0.25 tsp
Butter:4 tbsp
All-purpose flour:3 tbsp
Beef broth:2 cups
Heavy cream:0.5 cup
Salt and black pepper:1 to taste

Tips & Notes

Grating the onion instead of chopping it ensures the meatballs stay moist and prevents large chunks from breaking the meatball apart.
If you can't find lingonberry jam, cranberry sauce is a decent substitute, though lingonberries are more authentic.
Wet your hands with a little water before rolling the meatballs to prevent the mixture from sticking to your skin.