These heavenly Swedish Meatballs are a homemade version of the iconic Ikea meatballs. They’re a whole lot easier than assembling flat-pack furniture, that’s for sure! Extra-soft and juicy, with a dash of classic spices like allspice, they’re smothered with the bread-mop-worthy sauce.
Swedish Meatballs
I’m that person who goes into Ikea just to pick up tea lights, only to emerge 2 hours later with all sorts of useful organisation solutions, looking for a problem to solve.
I’m also that person who confidently puts together Ikea furniture (I’m a chartered accountant! I can do this!), only to worryingly end up with one leftover screw or bracket. Thankfully, none of my Ikea furniture has come tumbling down (yet), so now I have a theory that Ikea throws an extra piece into every flatpack just to mess with us.😂
As for their meatballs? Flatpack shopping is hard work. I can’t blame anyone who needs a pick-me-up after making it out the other end of the Ikea maze.
But once you’ve tried homemade Swedish Meatballs, you’ll never order these at the Ikea cafe ever again!
What’s so special about Swedish Meatballs?
If you’re wondering what’s so special about Swedish Meatballs, or what they taste like, close your eyes and imagine this: incredibly soft meatballs, made extra juicy by using a combination of both pork and beef and soaked bread instead of breadcrumbs, lightly spiced with just a touch of nutmeg and all spice that gives it the signature Swedish flavour, smothered in a creamy gravy that is absolutely to-die-for.
These are meatballs unlike any other – and regular readers know I have a very big soft spot for my favourite Italian Meatballs.
But I’d go as far to say that if you aren’t a regular maker of meatballs for whatever reason (pain to roll them, don’t like mixing meat with your hands etc etc), but you have the inclination to make ONE meatball recipe, make it these Swedish Meatballs.
You won’t regret it. I promise.
What goes in Swedish Meatballs
Here’s what you need to make the Swedish Meatballs.
Beef AND pork – the beef gives it flavour, the pork gives it juiciness and tenderness;
Bread – the secret to extra soft meatballs! Far more effective than breadcrumbs;
Nutmeg and All Spice – the signature spicing, just a small, subtle amount. All Spice is a particular type of spice made from a plant called Pimenta dioica. It smells like cloves. It’s a common spice found in normal supermarkets, and costs no more than usual spices. Best substitute is Mixed Spice.
Beef stock/broth and cream – for the creamy gravy;
Flour – to thicken the gravy;
Egg – for binding the meatballs together.
How to make Swedish Meatballs
Here’s how to make them:
FIRST, chop up sandwich bread, the soak in grated onion. This is a secret tip for ultra soft, extra tasty meatballs. Grating onion = no need to pan fry chopped onion AND extracts onion juices which soaks the bread, which later puffs up inside the meatballs as they cook, creating ultra soft meatballs!
How I roll meatballs
And here’s how I roll meatballs. It’s the fastest method I’ve been able to come up with!
Use an ice cream scooper with a lever to scoop up the mixture. Standard size is 3 tablespoons – I use slightly less than the scoop (3 tablespoons is quite large);
Scoop and dollop all the mixture;
THEN roll them all;
Voila! Even size meatballs, rolled relatively quickly!
Sauce for Swedish Meatballs
The sauce for Swedish Meatballs is a creamy gravy that is made with butter, beef broth/stock, thickened with flour and made creamy with cream.
But the most important flavour for the a really good creamy gravy is the pan drippings after searing the meatballs. All the brown stuff left in the pan after browning the meatballs adds incredible flavour into the gravy, which is why baking these meatballs is not an option!!!
What to serve with Swedish Meatballs
The Swedish Meatball eating experience is incomplete without creamy Mashed Potato. You need the mash so you can savour every last drop of that wickedly delicious creamy gravy.
Having said that though, rice, noodles or pasta are adequate fall backs, or some bread for mopping up the sauce (try this easy Artisan bread, or emergency No Yeast Sandwich Bread). And if you’re really trying to cut down on carbs, Creamy Mashed Cauliflower is your answer!
If you start now, you’ll have these on the table in less than hour. Are you ready for the most sinfully delectable meatballs you’ve ever had in your life?? – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
This recipe features in my debut cookbook Dinner. The book is mostly new recipes, but this is a reader favourite included by popular demand!
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Swedish Meatballs (homemade Ikea Meatballs)
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 2 slices white sandwich bread , crusts removed, chopped into small cubes (Note 1)
- 1 onion , small (brown, white or yellow)
- 300g / 10 oz ground beef (mince)
- 300g / 10 oz ground pork (mince) , or sub with more beef (Note 2)
- 1 egg
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg , preferably freshly grated
- 1/4 tsp All Spice powder (Note 3)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp oil
Gravy
- 40g / 3 tbsp butter , unsalted
- 3 tbsp flour
- 2 cups beef broth/stock (salt reduced), or sub with chicken
- 1/2 cup heavy / thickened cream (Note 4)
Instructions
- Grate onion using a standard box grater (see video).
- Scrape onion and juices into bowl. Add bread and mix well – onion juice should make bread soggy (if not, add a tiny splash of milk). Set aside to soak for 1 minute.
- Add remaining Meatball ingredients EXCEPT oil. Mix well.
- Using a tablespoon measure and measure out a heaped tablespoon (or use ice cream scooper which is what I do), dollop on work surface. Repeat with remaining mixture: 25 – 30 meatballs. Then roll into shape.
Cooking
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Add half the meatballs and brown all over (but raw inside still) – about 3 minutes. Remove onto plate, then brown the remaining batch.
- If there is lots of oil, pour off excess and discard. Lower heat to medium.
Gravy
- Add butter into skillet and melt. Add flour and stir in. Cook for 1 minute.
- While mixing, add about 1/4 of the beef broth – it will thicken quickly. Then gradually add remaining beef broth, stirring as you go. Switch to whisk if required to make it lump free.
- When the liquid is simmering, add meatball and juices pooled on plate.
- Turn up heat slightly to keep it at a rapid simmer. Cook for 8 – 10 minutes or until the liquid thickens into a thin gravy, stirring occasionally.
- Add cream, simmer for a further 2 minutes then remove from stove.
- Serve over mashed potato (or Cauliflower Mash for low carb). For a truly authentic experience, add a dollop of ligonberry jam on the side!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Originally published January 2017. Post updated 13 May 2020 with improved videos, plus ingredients and step photos added. No change to recipe, it’s perfect as is!!!
Life of Dozer
Dozer – I love you, but if you bump that tripod while I’m filming, you will be in a LOT of trouble!!
And from the original publication date:
Trying to negotiate with Dozer using a Swedish Meatball…..
For the first time ever, with this recipe, I DO like Swedish meatballs!!
This recipe is easy, savory and delicious!!! My hubby and German friend loved them too!!
I have made this using GF breadcrumbs and egg replacer, also I make a cashew cream by soaking cashews in hot beef stock for 10 mins and blending.
This is now a staple in our allergy family 😘
I tried many versions – this is by far the best ever. Even stuffed in a bread roll for lunch the next day. Thank you for your recipes, you are an inspiration in my kitchen
Made this with only beef and with your cream. Family loved it!
Just finished eating these meatballs after making them for dinner tonight. So, so good. So easy to make too. I did add about 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard into the sauce and put them over egg noodles though. My boyfriend loved it and I saved this recipe for future use. Thank you!
I don’t actually like the ikea meatballs but these were pretty tasty! Would def make again!
You’re converted now Linda – homemade is SO much better anyway! N x
WOW!! Most recipes I’ve seen say to just use frozen meatballs. Making them your own like this with the allspice and nutmeg makes this recipe PERFECT. Incredible. Super yummy on some mashed potatoes but going to try egg noodles next time. Thanks so much for this recipe!
This is my second comment because I had only tried the gravy. The meatballs also lack flavor. I would have doubled the spices in this has I known it was so bland. I will look for another recipe.
Hi Nagi, I loved these meatballs…. very simple, very yummy.
This is now my first go to site for recipes. So well laid out and so informative.
Specially love the ability to adjust recipes according to number of serves required.
Thanks so much Dave! N x
would them so I can print?
Hi Nancy, are you wanting to print the recipe? You can simply click the print button in the recipe card and a printable version will pop up for you. N x
this was excellent….10 out of 10 according to my hubby
Very yummy recipe. Thankyou for sharing your delicious recipes and love your humour Nagi, you always give me a laugh.
Made this tonight and it was superb. My only addition was a tablespoon of chopped dill to the sauce just before serving. This will definitely become part of my culinary repertoire. My sons and grandsons will adore this and be looking for seconds…
Hi Nagi! I made this again tonight. I didn’t have any white bread. Used the grated onions with breadcrumbs. Ended up having to use just a pinch of milk. Was just as delicious. Just a wonderful tasting meatball and gravy. We have plenty of leftovers for a few meals. That’s the best ever with a recipe! Enjoying it a few more times. Thanks again for all of your great recipes. Love reading the story behind the recipes. Don’t pay attention to the haters of stories……just let them stay Debbie Downers. Many of us love what you write. Hugs to you and Dozer.
Any thoughts regarding the use of low fat mince. i currently only have 5% fat mince (beef and pork)
Hi Mark, you may find that they are a little dryer using low fat mince, but smothered in that sauce, you should be fine! N x
Make this today and took a bite, it was delicious. I could taste the spice in there and it’s pretty soft to chew on. Sauce Is on the saltier side and that could be because of the stock I’m using. Would be great with ligonberry jam and it will taste like those iKea meatballs we all love!!! Too bad I don’t have any at the time.
I made these last night and my partner and I absolutely loved them! I omitted the onion as I have an intolerance but everything else was amazing. Served them with super buttery mash, some steamed broccolini and a good glob of lingonberry jam. That cream sauce is AMAAAAAZING.
Will be making these again, often.
Nagi, I’m an Aussie in LA – been here with my wife and son for years, just made another of your recipes (Swedish Meatballs) they are fantastic!
I often cook for the family and choose new dishes to try – your site has breen a revelation, loving your dishes and your wide ranging ideas.
Keep up the great work!
A.
Really good the whole family loves it !! I used veal and pork.
Love your recipes !!!
Thanks
Would it be okay to form the meatballs a day ahead and put them in the fridge to cook the following day? I can’t wait to try this tomorrow.
Yes 100% Consuelo!! N x