Köttbullar – Traditional Swedish meatballs with cream

Here’s a delicious recipe for Köttbullar—traditional Swedish meatballs with a creamy sauce! These are a beloved classic in Swedish cuisine, often served with mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam, and pickled cucumbers.

Ingredients:

For the meatballs:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 lb ground pork
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp ground allspice
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 2 tbsp butter (for frying)

For the creamy sauce:

• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tbsp soy sauce (optional, for color and flavor)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

Meatballs:

1. Prepare the meat mixture: In a small bowl, soak the breadcrumbs in the milk for about 5 minutes. In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, ground pork, finely chopped onion, soaked breadcrumbs, egg, salt, pepper, allspice, and nutmeg. Use your hands to combine the mixture until smooth and well-mixed.
2. Shape the meatballs: With damp hands, shape the mixture into small meatballs (about 1 inch in diameter). You can make them a bit larger if you prefer.
3. Cook the meatballs: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Fry the meatballs in batches, turning them occasionally to brown all sides, for about 8-10 minutes or until they are fully cooked and golden brown. Remove them from the pan and set them aside.

Creamy Sauce:

4. Make the sauce: In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons of butter and melt it over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute to create a roux.
5. Add the broth and cream: Slowly whisk in the beef broth, followed by the heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 5 minutes until it thickens into a smooth sauce.
6. Finish the sauce: Add the soy sauce (if using) for extra flavor and color, then season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.

Combine:

7. Add the meatballs back into the pan: Once the sauce is ready, return the meatballs to the pan and gently stir to coat them in the sauce. Let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for another 5-10 minutes, until heated through and the flavors have melded together.
8. Serve: Serve the Köttbullar hot with mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam, and pickled cucumbers, or your favorite side dishes.

Enjoy these creamy, savory Swedish meatballs! They’re a perfect comfort food dish and will transport you straight to Sweden with every bite. Let me know how they turn out if you try them!