Swedish Meatballs Recipe with creamy gravy and tender meatballs. Great with mashed potatoes or noodles.
author’s note
Confessions of a Former IKEA Cafeteria Regular!
I still remember when an Ikea opened about 20 minutes from my house. It was a big deal! Back in high school, it became the go-to spot to hang out when it was too cold outside. And, of course, you couldn’t go to Ikea without grabbing a plate of their famous Swedish Meatballs.
Now that I don’t have an Ikea nearby, I’ve mastered making my own at home, and honestly, they’re even better from-scratch. These meatballs are incredibly flavorful and melt-in-your-mouth tender. The gravy is rich and smooth, and with a little tart cranberry sauce on the side, it’s the ultimate comfort food.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quick note |
|---|---|
| Grated onion | Use large holes; if very wet, squeeze a little |
| Beef + pork | Great mix for flavor and tender bite |
| Only beef | Add 1 tbsp extra cream to keep soft |
| Panko | Softer texture; regular crumbs absorb more, start with less |
| Heavy cream | Keeps meatballs tender and gravy silky; milk is not the same |
| Broth | Beef = rich; a little veggie broth lightens it; salt at the end |
| Soy sauce | Savory depth; use low-sodium if broth is salty |
| Dijon mustard | Balances the cream; start small, then taste |
Swedish Meatballs Recipe Tips
- Don’t overmix: Mix until just combined for tender meatballs.
- Keep it cold: Cold ingredients make rolling and shaping easier.
- Use heavy cream: Cream adds the right thickness—don’t swap for milk.
- What is panko? A Japanese-style breadcrumb that keeps meatballs soft and juicy.
- Brown gently: Turn the meatballs carefully to keep them from falling apart.
- Thicken gravy: If it’s too thin, simmer longer or raise the heat slightly.
- Serve fresh: Swedish meatballs are best enjoyed right after making!
How to Make Swedish Meatballs Recipe
- Grate onion: Use a box grater.
- Mix meatballs: Combine ingredients, mix gently, and chill. Roll into balls and chill.
- Brown meatballs: Cook in batches, then move to a sheet pan and bake.
- Gravy: Melt butter, whisk in flour, add broths, cream, soy sauce, and Dijon; simmer.
- Serve: Add meatballs to mashed potatoes or noodles, top with gravy, and serve with cranberry sauce.
Serve Swedish Meatballs Recipe With
- Base: Serve over mashed potatoes or buttered noodles for a hearty meal.
- Sides: Add a fresh salad like Olive Garden Salad or Costco Kale Salad.
- Topping: Pair with lingonberry preserves (like Ikea) or from-scratch cranberry sauce.
- Bread: Buttered dinner rolls or crusty bread are reliable for soaking the gravy!
Storage
Leftover Swedish Meatballs?
- Fridge: Store meatballs and gravy separately in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in separate containers for up to 3 months.
- Thaw: Defrost in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheat: Warm on the stove or in the microwave. Add a splash of broth or cream to thin the gravy if needed.
More Comforting Recipes
- Butter Chicken Meatballs over rice
- slow cooker Chili winner of dozens of chili cook-offs!
- Baked Ziti with three types of cheese
- Chicken Pot Pie Soup with puff pastry toppers
- Chicken Stroganoff over egg noodles
Faster Swedish Meatball Preparation
Make even-sized meatballs quicker with this method:
- Scoop: Use a greased 1-tablespoon measuring spoon to portion the meat.
- Drop: Scoop portions onto sheet pan with your index finger.
- Roll: Once portioned, grease hands with cooking spray and roll all the portions into equal meatballs.
If needed chill the meat mixture to make rolling easier!
