Swedish meatballs are truly a timeless meal. Maybe itโs the aroma of warm spices drifting through the kitchen, or the comfort of a creamy gravy poured over soft, tender meatballs.
Whatever the reason, itโs no surprise that Swedish meatballs, or Kรถttbullar, as theyโre called in Sweden, have become a comfort food icon far beyond Scandinavian borders.
Ask anyone whoโs wandered through an IKEA cafeteria or tucked into a holiday feast in Sweden, and theyโll tell you: when done right, Swedish meatballs hit that perfect sweet spot between cozy and elegant.
The secret? Itโs in the details. The mix of meats. The grating of onion. The seasoning that adds warmth without overpowering. And that gravy? Silky, savory, and just indulgent enough.
Today, we will walk you through the steps of getting them just right, from the meatball mixture to the last spoonful of gravy. Letโs get started

Table of Contents
ToggleClassic Swedish Meatballs โ Easy & Delicious
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Box grater (for the onion)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Skillet or large frying pan
- Whisk
- Spatula or wooden spoon
- Plate and foil (for resting meatballs)
- Cookie scoop (for uniform meatballs)
- Parchment paper (for prepping meatballs)
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground beef lean: 1 lb
- 12 oz Ground pork
- Panko breadcrumbs or 2 slices white bread soaked in 1/4 cup milk: 1/4 cup
- Onion grated: 1/4 cup
- ยฝ tsp Garlic powder
- 1 Large egg
- Parsley chopped: 1 tbsp
- ยผ tsp Ground allspice
- ยผ tsp Ground nutmeg
- ยฝ tsp Salt
- โ tsp Black pepper
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- Butter for meatballs: 1 tbsp
- Butter for gravy: 4 tbsp
- 3 tbsp All-purpose flour
- 2 cups Low-sodium beef broth
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Make the Meatball MixtureIn a large mixing bowl, gently combine:-Ground beef and pork-Breadcrumbs or soaked bread-Grated onion-Garlic powder, allspice, nutmeg, salt, and pepper-Chopped parsley-EggMix with clean hands or a spoon until just combinedโdonโt overmix.
- Shape the MeatballsForm 12 large or 20โ25 small meatballs. Wet your hands to prevent sticking. Place on parchment-lined tray.
- Brown the MeatballsIn a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high. Brown the meatballs in batches without overcrowding. Cook until all sides are golden (7โ8 minutes for large, 4โ5 for small). Set aside and tent with foil.
- Make the GravyIn the same pan, melt 4 tbsp butter. Add 3 tbsp flour and whisk for 2 minutes to make a roux. Slowly whisk in beef broth until smooth. Stir in:-Heavy cream-Worcestershire sauce-Dijon mustardSimmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
- Finish the DishReturn meatballs to the skillet. Spoon gravy over them and simmer 1โ2 more minutes. Serve hot with your favorite sides.
Video
Notes
- Grate the onion for a smoother texture - chopped onion can make the meatballs fall apart.
- Donโt overmix the meat. Just enough to combine ingredients will keep it tender.
- Sear, donโt steam - browning adds incredible flavor to both the meatballs and the gravy.
- Use panade (bread soaked in milk) for moist and tender meatballs.
- Let them rest after browning before adding to the gravy - theyโll hold together better and absorb more flavor.
A Bit of History of Swedish Meatballs

Swedish meatballs have an origin story with a bit of intrigue. One theory says they came from Turkey, brought back by King Charles XII in the 18th century. Some Swedish historians, though, point to meatball-like recipes in Swedish cookbooks that date even further back.
Regardless, Kรถttbullar became a national treasure served on holidays, weeknights, and everything in between.
Youโll see them during Christmas, in school cafeterias, and everywhere IKEA dares to venture. And the best part? Theyโre the kind of dish that gets passed down, tweaked slightly, but always made with care.
@curlyscooking Something about the meatballs from @IKEAUK #ikea #swedishmeatballs #eatwithme #eatingshow #foodtiktok #foodtok โฌ original sound – Curlyโs Cooking
Final Thoughts
Swedish meatballs arenโt difficult, but they reward the details. The right blend of meats, a few key spices, and a silky gravy, thatโs all it takes.
Once youโve got the rhythm down, they become one of those recipes you can pull out anytime and know youโll hit the mark.