This post is dedicated to one of my great culinary loves: meatballs. Specifically, Swedish meatballs. Or as we call them here—köttbullar.
❤️ Why I Love This Recipe
- It’s comforting without being complicated
- Everything comes together in under 30 minutes
- It’s freezer-friendly (if you can stop yourself from eating them all)
- It tastes like home—even if you didn’t grow up in Sweden
🧄 What Makes Swedish Meatballs Different?
It’s all in the seasoning. A pinch of allspice and white pepper gives them their cozy, familiar flavor. And the mix of beef and pork keeps things juicy. No breadcrumbs-from-a-box shortcut here—just real, rustic, Swedish comfort food.
đź“‹ Recipe: Swedish Meatballs with Cream Sauce
Meatball Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- ½ lb (225 g) ground pork
- 1 small yellow onion, finely grated
- 1 egg
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ tsp allspice
- ½ tsp white pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1–2 tbsp butter (for frying)
Meatball Instructions:
- Mix breadcrumbs and milk; let sit 5 minutes.
- Add all ingredients and mix gently. Do not overwork!
- Shape into small balls (~1 inch).
- Fry in butter over medium heat until browned and cooked through.
Cream Sauce (Gräddsås):
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce Instructions:
- Melt butter, whisk in flour until golden (1–2 minutes).
- Slowly whisk in broth. Simmer until thickened (5–7 minutes).
- Add cream, soy sauce, and mustard. Simmer 3–4 minutes.
- Season to taste and serve over meatballs.
🇸🇪 Tips from a Swedish Kitchen
- Grate your onion – no crunchy bits!
- Don’t overmix – keeps them tender.
- Rest the meatballs before frying.
- Fry in butter. Always.
🌍 A Taste of Sweden, Wherever You Are
Whether you’re in a rainy kitchen in Gothenburg or following along from afar, these meatballs bring a little Swedish magic to your table.
I’ll be sharing more real Swedish recipes soon, so keep following for honest food, folklore, and maybe a little passive-aggressive weather commentary. You know. Real life.
📸 Tag your creations: #SwedishWanderlust #KöttbullarLove
Swedish Wanderlust 