Last Updated on November 22, 2023 by Carne Diem
Protein: 
Origin: Swedish, European
Method: Stovetop, Oven
Jump to RecipeStep aside IKEA, these may just be the best Swedish meatballs you have ever tried, no assembly required. This recipe for Authentic Swedish Meatballs, or kottbullar as it is known in Sweden, is packed with flavor and will be sure to be a hit with the entire family.
I have been fortunate enough to have been able to visit Sweden on 2 separate occasions and have made it a point to seek out this iconic Swedish dish both times. The following recipe combines some of the best aspects of the köttbullar that I have tried. We have also included instructions for making Swedish Meatballs on your grill or smoker, for those of you, like me, that enjoy making traditional recipes in new ways.
Table of contents
Background on Swedish Meatballs
So before I get too far, I guess I should present a little bit of a disclaimer. Apparently Swedish meatballs are not really Swedish at all. Apparently they originated in Turkey and were an import into the country by King Charles XII after he returned from his exile in Istanbul in around the year 1713. The origin is closely related to Middle Eastern kebabs or Baltic cevapi.
That being said, Swedes have adopted this recipe as their own and it has become the dish most associated with the country. Regardless, if you go back far enough, most recipes have a more complex origin story, and the one fact that can not be disputed is that these creamy, gravy covered, balls of meat are heavenly.
Making the Authentic Swedish Meatballs
Preparing the meat mixture
Traditionally Swedish meatballs are prepared with a mixture of ground beef and ground pork. The ratios can vary between recipes, but we have found a 50/50 mix has been our favorite. We prefer the 85/15 mix for the ground beef, but you can certainly go leaner if you wish.
First, combine the ground beef and ground pork in a large bowl.
Almost every Swedish meatball recipe that you find will have onion as a key ingredient, and this recipe is no different. We have found that grated onion has resulted in the best results for the meatballs, as it helps distribute the onion flavor more evenly. It also helps with our picky kid that does not like discovering any vegetables in their meat.
Shred the yellow onion with a box or cheese grater and add to the bowl with the meat.
For the spices you will need salt, black pepper, nutmeg, and allspice.
One trick we have learned over the years is to add the spices to a liquid, before mixing into the meat. In this case, we mix the seasoning with the cream. This helps to avoid large clumps of seasoning, and spread the seasoning more evenly throughout the meat mixture.
In a small bowl mix the salt, pepper, allspice, and nutmeg with 1 tablespoon of heavy cream. Pour the mixture into the bowl with the meat and mix well to combine.
In a small bowl mix the panko and ⅓ cup of heavy cream and let set for 2-3 minutes then add to the bowl with the meat. Finely chop the parsley and add to the meat mixture.
Beat the egg and add to the meat mixture then mix well with your hands to ensure the mixture is evenly combined.
Form the meat into small meatballs, roughly 2-3 inches or about 1 heaping tablespoon. You should have enough meat mixture to make about 20-25 meatballs. Köttbullar are typically smaller than their Italian meatball counterparts but you can form them to whatever size you desire.
Cooking the Authentic Swedish Meatballs
Next, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Heat until the butter is melted and foamy before adding the meatballs. Cook the meatballs in batches until evenly browned, but not cooked through, then remove them to a baking sheet.
When you have finished browning all of the meatballs, place the cookie sheet in a 350 degree oven while you make the gravy (about 10 minutes).
Preparing the köttbullar gravy
In the same pan that you browned the meatballs, add 2 more tablespoons of butter and heat until melted over medium-low heat. Form a roux by adding in ¼ cup of flour and stirring continuously with a whisk until well combined. Continue to whisk for about 2 minutes until you have a pale roux.
Slowly add in 2 cups of beef stock, about ½ a cup at a time, stirring with each addition.
Next, stir in the seasonings and mix well, then add in the heavy cream and whisk until combined. If the gravy is too thick you can thin it with a small amount of additional beef stock.
Remove the meatballs from the oven and place them in the gravy. Flip the meatballs over to make sure they are covered on all sides. Increase the heat to medium and bring to a brief simmer. Check the meatballs for doneness then reduce the heat to low and serve.
Making Swedish Meatballs on your Grill or Smoker
Cooking Swedish meatballs on your BBQ grill is a fun way to change of this recipe. We typically prefer to make the meatballs on a pellet smoker due to the subtle smoke flavor it imparts. You will want to set up for direct and indirect heat. Having a large cast iron pan is also helpful. Preheat your grill to 350 degrees, and preheat your cast iron skillet.
Brown the meatballs in the butter and oil until browned on all sides, but not cooked through.
Move the meatballs to a pan or dish on the indirect heat area of the grill.
Next, as described above, prepare the gravy for the smoked Swedish Meatballs. Melt the additional butter and add the flour. Stir constantly to make a roux. Slowly add the beef broth about ½ cup at a time stirring constantly to thicken the gravy. Next stir in the seasonings and heavy cream. Move the pan to indirect heat.
Continue to cook until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees and the gravy has thickened to desired consistency. If the gravy thickens too much, thin be stirring in a small amount of beef broth. Finally stir the meatballs into the gravy prior to serving.
Finishing and serving the Authentic Swedish Meatballs
Authentic köttbullar are most commonly served atop mashed potatoes or wide egg noodles with a side of lingonberry and pressgurka (pickled cucumbers). Garnish with some parsley.
Can't get enough meatballs? Check out our recipe for Big A$$ Meatballs, with Truffle Burrata, inspired by chef Tony Gemignani. For more great ground beef recipes check out some of our favorites from around the world:
- Spicy Cheese Stuffed Smoked Meatloaf
- Grilled Jamaican Beef Patties
- Korean Style Beef and Lamb Lettuce Wraps
- Spicy Double Smash Burger on Texas Toast
- Kiwi Mince and Cheese Pies: Beef and Cheddar Hand-Pies
- Halifax Style Smoked Donair: Canada’s Gyro
Frequently Asked Questions
Most commonly Swedish style meatballs are a combination of beef and pork.
Kottbullar is traditionally served atop mashed potatoes or egg noodles. They are typically served with Lingonberry jam or sauce.
Swedish meatballs should be eaten within 3 days and are best reheated in a pan or skillet until heated through.
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📖 Recipe
Best Authentic Swedish Meatballs: köttbullar
Equipment
- Large Skillet
- mixing bowls
- Cookie Sheet
Ingredients
Meat mixture
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 1 pound Ground Pork
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Allspice
- ¼ teaspoon Nutmeg
- ½ Yellow Onion Shredded
- ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup Heavy Cream (plus 1 tablespoon)
- 1 Tablespoon Parsley finely chopped
- 1 Egg beaten
- 1 Tablespoon Butter
- 2 teaspoons Olive Oil
Gravy
- 2 Tablespoon Butter
- ¼ cup Flour
- 3 Cup Beef Stock
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ⅔ cup Heavy Cream
- 1 Tablespoon Parsley for garnish
- ¼ teaspoon Allspice
Instructions
Making the meatball mixture
- Combine the ground beef and ground pork in a large bowl.
- In a small bowl mix the salt, pepper, allspice and nutmeg with 1 tablespoon of heavy cream. Pour the mixture into the bowl with the meat and mix well to combine.
- Shred the yellow onion with a box or cheese grater and add to the bowl with the meat.
- In a small bowl mix the panko and ⅓ cup of heavy cream and let set for 2-3 minutes then add to the bowl with the meat.
- Finely chop the parsley and add to the meat mixture.
- Beat the egg and add to the meat mixture then mix well with your hands to ensure the mixture is evenly combined.
- Form the meat into small meatballs, roughly 2-3 inches or about 1 heaping tablespoon. You should have enough meat mixture to make about 20-25 meatballs. Köttbullar are typically smaller than their Italian meatball counterparts but you can form them to whatever size you desire.
Cooking the meatballs
- Next heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat until the butter is melted and foamy. Brown the meatballs, in batches until evenly browned, but not cooked though, then remove them to a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- When you have finished browning all of the meatballs, place the cookie sheet in a 350 degree oven while you make the gravy (about 10 minutes).
Making the gravy
- In the same pan that you browned the meatballs, add 2 more tablespoons of butter and heat until melted over medium-low heat. Form a roux by adding in ¼ cup of flour and stirring continuously with a whisk until well combined.
- Continue to whisk for about 2 minutes until you have a pale roux, then slowly add in 2 cups of beef stock, about ½ a cup at a time, stirring with each addition.
- Next stir in the seasonings and mix well, then add in the heavy cream and whisk until combined. If the gravy is too thick you can thin with a small amount of additional beef stock.
- Remove the meatballs from the oven and place them in the gravy. Flip them over to make sure they are covered on all sides, then increase the heat to medium and bring to a brief simmer. Check the meatballs for doneness then reduce the heat to low and serve.
Nutrition
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