Svenska Köttbullar - Authentic Swedish Meatballs • All that's Jas (2024)

BY: Jas · PUBLISHED: Mar 10, 2020 · UPDATED: Jun 21, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links.

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This simple, one-pan recipe for classic Swedish meatballs in creamy sauce uses only basic seasonings, just like grandmas from the land of Svea used to make. Serve with mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam.

Svenska Köttbullar - Authentic Swedish Meatballs • All that's Jas (1)

If you're looking for the perfect comfort food, look no further than these Swedish meatballs. The sauce is a creamy gravy made with butter and thickened using flour to create a fantastic taste that will have your mouth watering from the first bite!

Whether as a main course or as a party snack: Svenska köttbullar is always tasty; in any case, homemade Swedish meatballs taste far better than those from IKEA.

There are many variations on this classic dish, but I like the simplicity of this recipe by a Svenska Mormor (Swedish grandma).

Svenska köttbullar are smaller and different in taste from Italian meatballs. I love how sweetness from the lingonberry jam enhances the rich homemade gravy.

Table of Contents

1) What is Svenska Kӧttbullar?

2) 🛒 Ingredients and Notes

3) 🔪 Instructions

4) How to serve Swedish meatballs?

5) ❓ Frequently Asked Questions

6) Svenska Köttbullar - Authentic Swedish Meatballs

What is Svenska Kӧttbullar?

Considered a national dish of Sweden, these traditional meatballs are popular with young and old across Sweden and belong to every authentic Swedish buffet, especially at Christmas and Midsummer.

The deliciously rich flavor has been enjoyed all over Europe, Asia, and North America since its introduction by King Karl XII, who brought the recipe from Turkey.

In Sweden, Svenska Köttbullar is also known as Köttbullar med Gräddsås - meatballs with cream sauce.

I adapted this meatball recipe from my friend Ron of Lost in a Pot. The original köttbullar recipe is by his Swedish mother-in-law. Grandmas make the best foods!

🛒 Ingredients and Notes

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✔ Meat: To follow the authentic recipe and for tender meatballs, you'll need the 50/50 blend of lean ground beef and pork. However, if you have to, substitute pork with chicken or just ground beef.

✔ Lingonberry jam: Don't omit this important ingredient! Tangy lingonberry jam is relatively available in all grocery stores. You can, however, substitute it with red or black currant jam. Sometimes raw lingonberries are used instead of the jam or preserves.

🔪 Instructions

Step 1 - How to Make Köttbullar

Svenska Köttbullar - Authentic Swedish Meatballs • All that's Jas (3)

In a bowl, add all the ingredients for the meat mixture.
Mix with a paddle attachment of your mixer or your hands until combined.
Shape into 1- inch balls.
Fry them in lots of butter for that delicious Swedish taste.

Step 2 - How to Make Köttbullar Gravy

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In the same pan, lightly brown the flour in butter. Gradually add the beef broth, milk, soy sauce, and heavy cream if using; simmer until thickened. Season the sauce with salt and white pepper, then mix in lingonberry jam.
Return the meatballs to the sauce and stir to coat thoroughly.

Mix the meat blendahead of timeand refrigerate until ready to form and fry.
If yourmeat mixture is too moist, add cornstarch to the meat mixture (one tablespoon at a time). It will absorb the extra moisture and keep the meatballs from falling apart.
If yourmeat mixture is too dry, keep adding beef stock until the desired consistency.
Don't over-mixthe meatball mixture, or your meatballs will be tough.
Tomake meatballs the same size, use a small ice cream scooper or tablespoon-size measuring spoon. You want the meatballs to be about 1-inch (1 oz.) in size. Place all the meat scoops on abaking sheet, then roll each with your hands into a ball. It makes the process much quicker!

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How to serve Swedish meatballs?

Traditionally, Swedes serve köttbullar with creamy gravy over boiled or mashed potatoes and with a side of green peas, lingonberry jam, and pressgurka (vinegar cucumber dill salad). Such a treat!

If you're wondering what else goes with Swedish meatballs, try one of these delicious ideas:

Buttered egg noodles.
Plain basmati or djuvec rice.
Roasted cauliflower.
Warm potato salad.
Garlicky potatoes with kidney beans.
Mango chutney.
Creamy stinging nettle.
Swiss chard and potatoes.
Butternut squash barley risotto.
Rabbits salad.
Pretzel rolls.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bake them in the oven?

The traditional recipe for Swedish meatballs instructs to fry them in butter, and lots of it. However, you can fry them in oil or bake them in the oven. It saves calories and time, especially with larger quantities. Keep in mind that this option will change the flavor.

How long do they last?

Properly stored in an airtight container, meatballs will last 3-5 days in a refrigerator.

Can I freeze Swedish meatballs?

The meatballs can be easily frozen and thawed in the oven if necessary, so it is best to prepare a more considerable amount at once. They maintain good quality, but the sauce may lose some of its texture over time, so it's best to use them up within one month.

You can freeze them without the sauce for up to 2-3 months or freeze them uncooked for up to 4 months.

How do you pronounce köttbullar?

The K sounds like a 'sh' when it stands before an ö - Shöttbüllar.

FUN FACT: Apparently, you should be singing (or at least listening) to the song "Ge mig mera köttbullar" by Astrid Lindgren while preparing the dish and then again while you eat it. 😄
Lindgren was the children's book author (rememberPipi Longstocking?) who liked to let her main characters eat one or two Köttbullar in her books).

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