Savory Swedish Meatballs Recipe: Ina Garten’s Snug Dinner Joy

Tender, juicy, and packed with rich flavor, Ina Garten’s swedish meatballs recipe brings a delightful Scandinavian twist to your dinner table.

These succulent morsels dance with traditional spices and herbs that transport you straight to Stockholm.

The blend of ground beef and pork creates a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s simply irresistible.

Garten’s expert touch ensures each bite is perfectly seasoned and wonderfully comforting.

Her careful method guarantees meatballs that are crisp on the outside and incredibly tender inside.

A generous creamy sauce coats these delectable spheres, making them an instant crowd-pleaser.

Get ready to savor a restaurant-quality dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Cooking Tools for Swedish Meatballs Just Like Ina

• Large bowl: Essential for mixing ground meats and ingredients thoroughly.
• Large skillet: Perfect for browning meatballs and creating the creamy sauce.
• Tongs: Helps turn meatballs evenly and safely without breaking them.
• Whisk: Crucial for creating smooth roux and incorporating stock without lumps.
• Grater: Needed for grating onion finely.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
• Cutting board: For chopping parsley and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Used for mincing garlic and chopping herbs.

How to Shape and Simmer Swedish Meatballs the Ina Way

Cozy Comfort Meatballs

• Meat Mixture Preparation

Combine ground beef and pork in a large bowl with aromatic herbs and spices. Gently fold ingredients together, ensuring a delicate texture. Shape mixture into tender, bite-sized spheres that promise deliciousness.

• Golden Browning

Warm a skillet with a splash of olive oil. Carefully place meatballs into the pan, allowing each side to develop a beautiful golden-brown crust. Move them gently with tongs to ensure even coloring.

• Silky Sauce Creation

Lower the heat and melt butter in the same pan. Sprinkle flour and whisk until the mixture transforms into a delicate golden base. Slowly introduce beef stock, stirring continuously to create a smooth, luxurious sauce.

• Creamy Finishing Touch

Enhance the sauce with warm spices and a splash of heavy cream. Nestle the browned meatballs back into the pan, letting them simmer and absorb the rich flavors. Cook until the sauce thickens and the meatballs are perfectly tender.

• Serving Moment

Taste and adjust seasonings to perfection. Plate the meatballs, allowing the velvety sauce to cascade around them. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs for a final flourish of color and freshness.

Twist the Sauce: Tips for Ina’s Meatball Gravy

• Combine ground beef and pork with a light touch to keep meatballs tender. Overmixing can make them tough and dense.
• Swap Panko for regular breadcrumbs or gluten-free alternatives. Crushed crackers work wonderfully as a last-minute substitution.
• Double the sauce recipe if you love extra gravy. Splash in more beef stock for a thinner consistency or reduce longer for an intense, rich flavor.
• Experiment with ground cardamom or replace allspice with a pinch of cloves for a deeper Nordic-inspired taste. Fresh herbs like dill can add an unexpected brightness.
• Prepare meatballs and sauce up to two days in advance. Store separately in the refrigerator and reheat gently before serving for maximum flavor preservation.

Serve Swedish Meatballs Over These Comfort Pairings

• Serve with Creamy Lingonberry Delight: Spoon tangy lingonberry jam alongside the meatballs, creating a classic Swedish flavor pairing that adds bright, sweet-tart notes to the rich, creamy dish.
• Pair with Buttery Egg Noodles: Ladle the meatballs and sauce over soft, wide egg noodles that perfectly capture the velvety sauce and provide a comforting base for the tender meatballs.
• Create a Rustic Scandinavian Plate: Arrange the meatballs with pickled cucumbers, roasted potatoes, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley to bring an authentic Nordic feel to your dining experience.
• Elevate with Crisp Side Salad: Complement the hearty meatballs with a light, fresh green salad dressed in a simple vinaigrette to balance the richness of the creamy sauce.

Freezing or Storing Ina’s Swedish Meatballs Right

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth and maintain optimal flavor.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Pack meatballs and sauce separately in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently to preserve texture.
• Reheat with Care: Warm meatballs slowly in a covered skillet over low heat, adding a splash of beef stock to prevent drying. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly and maintain sauce consistency.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Make meatball mixture up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Shape and cook just before serving to maximize freshness and reduce day-of preparation stress.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 500 kcal

Servings: 6

Items Needed for Ina Garten’s Swedish Meatballs

• Ground Beef: Provides rich, hearty flavor and meaty texture for the main protein.
• Ground Pork: Adds extra juiciness and depth to the meatball mixture.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: Creates light, airy texture and helps bind ingredients together.
• Eggs: Acts as a crucial binding agent to hold meatballs perfectly.
• Parsley: Brings fresh herbaceous notes and vibrant green color to the mixture.
• Grated Onion: Infuses subtle sweetness and moisture into the meatballs.
• Minced Garlic: Delivers sharp, aromatic flavor that enhances overall taste.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings to elevate and balance the meat's natural flavor.

• Beef Stock: Creates the foundational liquid for a robust, savory sauce.
• Butter: Provides rich, creamy base for developing roux and adding luxurious texture.
• Flour: Helps thicken and stabilize the sauce with smooth consistency.
• Heavy Cream: Adds silky richness and creates luxurious, velvety sauce texture.
• Lemon Zest: Introduces bright, citrusy undertone to cut through richness.

• Allspice: Contributes warm, slightly sweet undertone reminiscent of traditional Swedish flavors.
• Nutmeg: Provides delicate, slightly sweet warmth typical in Scandinavian cuisine.

Elegant Ina Garten Swedish Meatballs Recipe

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4.6 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Swedish Meatballs offer a delightful culinary journey through Scandinavian comfort cuisine. Rich, savory spheres nestled in creamy sauce promise a hearty meal that satisfies deeply when you crave warmth and tradition.

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Ingredients

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• 1 pound (454 grams) 80/20 ground beef
• 1 pound (454 grams) ground pork
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 medium onion, grated
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• ½ teaspoon ground allspice
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 2 tbsps extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsps butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups beef stock
• ½ cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Additional parsley for garnish

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Instructions

1. Meat Preparation: Thoroughly blend ground beef, ground pork, parsley, grated onion, garlic, Panko breadcrumbs, eggs, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution without overworking the mixture.
2. Meatball Formation: Craft uniform 1-inch spherical meatballs, positioning them precisely on a clean surface for even cooking.
3. Browning Process: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature. Strategically sear meatballs in batches, rotating with tongs to achieve a golden-brown exterior on all sides, then transfer to a holding plate.
4. Sauce Foundation: Reduce skillet heat and melt butter until foamy. Whisk flour into the butter, creating a smooth, pale roux that develops rich flavor and eliminates potential lumps.
5. Liquid Integration: Gradually incorporate beef stock, whisking continuously to create a seamless sauce. Introduce lemon zest, allspice, nutmeg, salt, and pepper to build a complex flavor profile.
6. Sauce Development: Simmer the mixture for 3-4 minutes, allowing it to thicken and develop depth. Stir periodically to prevent burning and achieve a velvety consistency.
7. Cream Infusion: Fold heavy cream into the sauce, creating a luxurious, silky texture. Carefully return meatballs to the skillet, ensuring complete sauce coverage.
8. Final Cooking: Cover and reduce heat to low, allowing meatballs to gently simmer for 8-10 minutes. Periodically turn to guarantee even cooking and sauce distribution.
9. Serving Preparation: Perform a final seasoning check, adjusting as necessary. Transfer meatballs to a serving platter and garnish with fresh parsley for an elegant presentation.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Gently blend meat mixture to maintain tender meatball texture, avoiding tough, dense results.
• Batch Browning Technique: Cook meatballs in batches to ensure even golden-brown exterior and prevent steaming instead of searing.
• Roux Mastery: Whisk flour and butter continuously for 60-90 seconds to create smooth sauce base without lumps.
• Sauce Consistency Check: Aim for sauce that coats back of spoon, indicating perfect thickness for coating meatballs.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Swedish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg