Easy Swedish Meatballs
Easy homemade Swedish meatballs with creamy sauce. Simple recipe with quality ingredients, perfect comfort food dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- 1
Combine the ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, egg, whole milk, diced onion, garlic, mustard, thyme, black pepper, and sea salt in a large mixing bowl.
- 2
Mix the ingredients together gently using your hands until just combined, being careful not to overwork the mixture as this will result in dense meatballs.
- 3
Form the mixture into 16 to 18 meatballs, each about the size of a golf ball, and arrange them on a plate.
- 4
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- 5
Working in batches to avoid crowding the pan, add the meatballs and sear them for about 3 to 4 minutes per side until deeply browned, then transfer to a clean plate.
- 6
Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and butter to the same skillet.
- 7
Sauté the diced onion in the melted butter mixture until softened and translucent, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- 8
Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir continuously for 1 minute to create a light roux and toast the flour slightly.
- 9
Pour in the low-sodium beef broth while stirring constantly to dissolve the flour and prevent lumps from forming.
- 10
Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce.
- 11
Simmer the meatballs in the broth over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes until they're cooked through completely.
- 12
Remove the skillet from the heat and stir the sour cream into the sauce until fully incorporated and smooth.
- 13
Add the Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard to the sauce and stir well to combine all flavors.
- 14
Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- 15
Gently reheat the meatballs and sauce over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes, being careful not to boil the sour cream.
- 16
Transfer the Swedish meatballs and sauce to a serving dish and garnish generously with fresh parsley before serving.
Variations & Substitutions
| Ingredient | Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ground beef (80/20 blend) | ground turkey (93/7 blend) | Turkey provides leaner protein with significantly lower saturated fat while maintaining moisture and tenderness when properly prepared |
| sour cream | Greek yogurt or plain non-fat yogurt | Greek yogurt provides protein-rich creaminess with lower fat and calories while supporting better gut health through probiotics |
| panko breadcrumbs | almond flour or oat flour | These alternatives reduce refined carbohydrates and glycemic impact while adding fiber and micronutrients for stable blood sugar |
| all-purpose flour | cornstarch or arrowroot powder | These starches thicken the sauce without gluten, offering a smoother texture and easier digestion for sensitive stomachs |
| whole milk | bone broth or low-sodium vegetable broth | Bone broth adds collagen and gelatin that support gut lining health while reducing dairy intake and calorie content |
| Worcestershire sauce | tamari or low-sodium soy sauce with balsamic vinegar | These alternatives reduce sodium by 40 percent while maintaining umami depth and supporting heart health |
Recommended Equipment
Tools that make this recipe easier
Nutrition Information
Per serving (serves 4)
| Calories | 420 |
| Total Fat | 22g |
| Saturated Fat | 9g |
| Cholesterol | 95mg |
| Sodium | 520mg |
| Carbohydrates | 14g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 2g |
| Protein | 38g |
This recipe was extracted from the original video source using AI. Nutritional information is estimated and may vary. Not a substitute for professional dietary advice. As an Amazon Associate, AlmostChefs earns from qualifying purchases. Product links are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra but help support the site. Read full disclaimer
