Homemade Swedish meatballs are seasoned, baked in the oven then covered in a rich and creamy brown gravy. The ultimate comfort food! They are low-carb with a gluten free and dairy-free version.
Traditional homemade Swedish meatballs are usually fried in a pan. The gravy is then made in the same pan from the meat drippings. I know fat isn't our enemy anymore, but that's a lot of calories. So I lightened them up a bit, and they still taste rich and delcious.
Serve these over a pile of noodles or a heap of mashed potatoes with a side of cucumbers in vinegar.
Here is what you will need to make homemade Swedish meatballs
- lean ground beef such as ground round or ground sirloin
- ground pork
- onion
- egg
- seasonings: allspice, nutmeg, ginger, cloves
Here is what you will need for the brown gravy
- beef broth
- cream or milk
- flour
Meatball Fun Facts
Did you know that Swedish meatballs actually originated in Turkey? They were brought to Sweden by Charles XII when he returned home from Turkey in the early 18th century.
Why this recipe works
Swedish meatballs can be high in fat. This recipe has been lighted up a bit, here is how:
- Traditional meatballs are cooked on top of the stove and the gravy is made in the same pan using the drippings from the meat. These meatballs are baked in the oven and added to the brown gravy that is made by adding a slurry of water and flour to the broth
- Milk or light cream is used in place heavy cream.
Tip!
A few hours before serving place the meatballs and gravy into the refrigerator to allow the fat to solidify. Skim it off the top and place the meatballs and gravy into a pan and re-heat.
Freeze Them
- Once the meatballs have been baked and drained, place them onto a clean baking sheet and freeze them. When they are completely frozen, place them in a freezer container and store for up to three months. When it's time to eat them, simply add them directly to the gravy while they are still frozen.
- You can also make extra gravy and freeze it. When it's time to eat, thaw the gravy in the refrigerator, and heat it on the stove. Once the gravy has been heated up, add the meatballs and cook until they are heated through.
Variations
Gluten Free
Even though most meatball recipes are made with breadcrumbs, I don't use them and don't really miss them, so the meatballs themselves are gluten-free, the gravy is not. Here is how to make a gluten-free gravy:
- Pour the broth into a saucepan and add the seasonings.
- Reduce the heat to low and gradually add a mixture of 3 tablespoons of organic cornstarch combined with ⅛ cup of water to the broth and stir to thicken to your preference of thickness.
- You can also use 3 tablespoons of arrowroot with ⅛ cup water, and be careful to not overheat the mixture. Arrowroot will lose its thickening properties when it is overheated.
Dairy-Free
Replace dairy milk with your favorite nut milk, like this homemade cashew milk.
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Homemade Swedish Meatballs
Baked meatballs are served in a rich and creamy deliciously seasoned brown gravy.
Ingredients
MEATBALLS
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- ½ cup minced onion
- 1 egg
- ¾ teaspoon allspice
- ¾ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- a pinch of ground cloves
FOR THE GRAVY
- 3 tablespoons flour mixed with ⅛ cup water
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 3 cups beef stock
- ¼ cup milk, cream or half and half
Instructions
THE MEATBALLS
- Pre-heat oven to 375
- Place all of the ingredients for the meatballs into a mixing bowl.
- Use a larger spoon or your hands to mix all of the ingredients together
- Roll the meat mixture into balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake for 20 minutes
- Remove them from oven and place them on paper towels to drain off excess fat
THE GRAVY
- Place the water/flour mixture into a pan over LOW heat and gradually whisk in the beef broth stirring until the sauce thickens.
- Add the seasonings and then add the meatballs
- Allow to simmer on low for 15 minutes and stir in the cream and simmer for 10 minutes more
GLUTEN FREE GRAVY
- Heat the broth in a sauce pan over low heat
- Combine 3 tablespoons organic corn starch or arrowroot powder mixed with ⅛ cup water
- Gradually whisk the thickener into the broth until it has thickened
- Add the meatballs
- Add the milk and serve
Notes
For Dairy Free Gravy, replace the milk or cream with your favorite nut milk
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 5 meatballsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 582Total Fat: 36gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 214mgSodium: 169mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 54g
Nutrition information is provided by an online calculator and is meant to be used for informational purposes only. Even though I try to provide accurate information, these figures should still be considered as estimates.
I love, love, love Swedish meatballs. I think your technique of baking them in the oven and then adding them to gravy is quite smart. There's so many wonderful herbs and spices in these meatballs they'll be packed with flavor.
Thank you Michelle!
Swedish meatballs are total comfort food. I love eating them over a bowl of egg noodles so I can sop up all of that delicious gravy. 🙂
Swedish meatballs are the perfect comfort food! I can't wait to try making these for dinner soon!
Thanks I hope you like them!
I love that these meatballs were baked, keeping them on the healthier side! Now I'm craving swedish meatballs!
My father in law hinted to me that he hasn't had this dish in a long time. Now I have no excuses! Looks wonderful.
I love swedish meatballs! They are such a fun and delicious dinner! Love that you lightened them up a bit, too!
Swedish meatballs always remind me of parties we had over the holidays when I was a kid.
These look wonderful and I like the idea of lightening them up!
I remember the first time my mom made Swedish Meatballs when I was a kid. It was in the 4th grade and my whole family fell in love with them. These look so good and I love that they are lightened up a bit! Going to put this on my menu plan this week!
I'm probably one of the last 10 people in the world who have never tried Swedish meatballs. I've only been to Ikea once and I didn't know they were "a thing." I've gotta try these ASAP. Your recipe looks perfect!
This looks like a delicious family meal! I can't wait to try your recipe!
I've been looking for a lighter version of swedish meatballs. it's my go to meal when I am at ikea and haven't been in awhile. I need to make these like now!
I always think fondly of your mother and the huge amount of wonderful Swedish meatballs that she made for us.
This recipe is fantastic! My family loves them!
These...these are my guilty pleasure! They are not just comforting but a perfect dish on many occasions.
These Swedish Meatballs look so juicy and delicious. We love making them at home and your recipe is fab.
I LOVE your tips for making these lighter and healthier! Now, we can have them more often. 🙂
I haven't tried or tasted these meatballs but it looks delicious. Will be trying soon.