Ina Garten’s Perfect Swedish Meatballs Recipe for Cozy Nights

Swedish meatballs bring comfort and nostalgia to dinner tables worldwide.

Our culinary journey celebrates these delectable spheres of savory goodness that melt in your mouth.

Tender meat blends seamlessly with aromatic spices, creating a harmonious flavor profile.

Scandinavian cuisine shines through this iconic dish, representing generations of traditional cooking techniques.

Each bite promises a rich, hearty experience that connects you to cultural roots.

The combination of ground meats, carefully selected herbs, and a velvety cream sauce elevates this classic recipe.

Prepare to transform your kitchen into a haven of international comfort food: prepare to savor magic.

Instructions for Ina Garten Swedish Meatballs

Step 1: Prepare Flavorful Meat Base

• Combine breadcrumbs
• Unsalted butter
• Finely chopped onion
• Minced garlic
• Ground allspice
• Salt
• White pepper

Mix ingredients thoroughly. Pour in whole milk and Worcestershire sauce. Allow mixture to cool completely before incorporating ground beef, ground pork, and beaten eggs. Mix gently until well combined.

Step 2: Shape and Chill Meatballs

Roll meat mixture into perfectly round 1-inch balls. Place meatballs on lightly oiled baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for minimum 1 hour to help maintain shape during cooking.

Step 3: Bake Meatballs to Perfection

Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Bake meatballs for approximately 20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F and exterior turns golden brown.

Step 4: Create Creamy Gravy

Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle flour and whisk continuously. Gradually pour beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Bring mixture to gentle simmer, stirring constantly.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Pour heavy cream into gravy, stirring until sauce thickens. Gently add cooked meatballs to gravy. Season with additional salt and black pepper. Optional: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Serve alongside tangy lingonberry jam for authentic Swedish experience.

Pro Tips for Ina Garten Swedish Meatballs

• Keep Meatballs Moisture-Rich: Blend ground meats gently to prevent toughening, ensuring each bite stays incredibly tender.
• Freeze for Future Feasts: Stash cooked meatballs in the freezer up to 3 months for instant comfort food emergencies.
• Balance Gravy Perfectly: Thin overly thick sauce by whisking in beef broth until you reach silky smooth consistency.
• Create Consistent Shapes: Grab a small ice cream scoop to craft uniform meatballs that cook evenly and look professional.
• Develop Deep Flavors: Prepare meatballs a day ahead and refrigerate, allowing ingredients to mingle and intensify tastes.

Storing Ina Garten Swedish Meatballs the Right Way

• Meal Prep Containers: Transfer cooled meatballs and sauce into separate high-quality glass containers with tight-sealing lids. This method prevents moisture loss and keeps flavors intact while maintaining optimal texture for quick reheating.
• Vacuum Sealing: Preserve Swedish meatballs by vacuum sealing individual portions in food-grade bags. Removing air prevents freezer burn and extends storage life up to 6 months, ensuring maximum flavor retention when you're ready to enjoy them again.
• Portion Packaging: Wrap single-serving meatball batches in heavy-duty aluminum foil or freezer wrap before storing in resealable freezer bags. Label each package with the date and contents to track freshness and easily identify meals for quick future meals.

Tasty Variations on Ina Garten Swedish Meatballs

• Spicy Nordic Kick: Amp up the heat by adding red pepper flakes and smoked paprika to the meat mixture. Incorporate diced jalapeños for an extra spicy punch that will wake up your taste buds.
• Mediterranean Fusion Meatballs: Replace allspice with oregano and add crumbled feta cheese to the meat mixture. Swap lingonberry jam for a zesty tzatziki sauce, creating a Greek-inspired version of the classic Swedish meatballs.
• Herb-Infused Comfort: Mix fresh chopped herbs like dill, thyme, and parsley into the meat mixture. Create a lighter cream sauce using Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream, giving the dish a fresher, lighter profile with bright herbal notes.
• Vegetarian Swedish-Style Balls: Substitute meat with a blend of mushrooms, lentils, and quinoa. Use vegetable broth in the gravy and maintain the traditional spices for a plant-based interpretation that keeps the authentic Swedish flavor profile.

Looking Back at Ina Garten Swedish Meatballs

Nordic comfort reaches perfection with Ina Garten’s Swedish meatballs, where classic techniques meet modern kitchen magic.

Subtle spices dance through tender meat, creating memories of Scandinavian culinary traditions.

Delicate allspice whispers warmth while creamy gravy embraces each perfectly crafted sphere.

Family gatherings become extraordinary with this remarkable recipe that connects generations.

Lingonberry jam adds tangy elegance, complementing rich meat and silky sauce.

Bon appétit, passionate cooks – share this delightful recipe, comment with your delicious experiences, and spread Nordic kitchen love across social platforms!

Why Ina Garten’s Swedish Meatballs Bring Comfort

• Savor Comfort Cuisine: These Swedish meatballs deliver pure comfort food satisfaction with their rich, hearty flavors that remind you of cozy family dinners and traditional European cooking.
• Master Quick Gourmet Cooking: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into an elegant dish in just under an hour, making restaurant-quality meals achievable for home cooks with basic kitchen skills.
• Enjoy Versatile Meal Options: Perfectly balanced meatballs can be served as an appetizer, main course, or party snack, making them ideal for everything from casual gatherings to sophisticated dinner parties with their creamy sauce and tender meat texture.

Key Elements for Ina Garten Swedish Meatballs

• Beef, Pork: Hearty protein base that creates a rich, traditional Swedish meatball texture with balanced meat flavor.

• Breadcrumbs, Milk: Help hold the meatballs together and keep them moist and tender.
• Eggs: Provide additional binding and structure to the meatball mixture.

• Onion, Garlic: Classic flavor enhancers that add depth and traditional Swedish meatball profile.
• Allspice, Salt, White Pepper: Essential spices that create the signature Swedish meatball seasoning blend.

• Butter, Flour: Create a classic roux base for the creamy sauce.
• Beef Broth, Worcestershire Sauce: Provide rich, savory liquid and depth of flavor for the gravy.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious richness and smooth texture to the sauce.

• Parsley: Fresh herb for bright color and light herbal finish.
• Lingonberry Jam: Traditional Swedish accompaniment with sweet-tart contrast.

Ina Garten Swedish Meatballs Recipe

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4.8 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Swedish meatballs from Ina Garten bring comforting European flavors to dinner tables. Tender beef and pork blend with classic seasonings, creating a rich sauce that makes this classic dish irresistible for home cooks craving authentic Nordic cuisine.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• ¾ pound (340 grams) lean ground beef
• ½ pound (227 grams) lean ground pork

Binding and Flavor Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) breadcrumbs
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) milk
• 1 large egg plus 1 egg white, beaten
• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) minced white onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
• Kosher salt and freshly ground white pepper

Gravy and Garnish Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) low-sodium beef broth
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) heavy cream
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
• Vegetable oil, for brushing

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Instructions

1. In a spacious mixing vessel, thoroughly combine panko breadcrumbs, softened unsalted butter, finely diced onion, minced garlic, ground allspice, kosher salt, and white pepper until uniformly blended.
2. Pour whole milk and Worcestershire sauce into the mixture, stirring gently to integrate all components. Allow the blend to rest and cool slightly to prevent scrambling the eggs.
3. Incorporate ground beef, ground pork, and thoroughly beaten eggs into the seasoned mixture. Use clean hands to fold ingredients together, ensuring even distribution without overworking the meat.
4. Delicately form the meat mixture into uniform spheres, approximately 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in diameter. Arrange meatballs on a lightly greased rimmed baking sheet, leaving slight space between each ball.
5. Cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and helping meatballs maintain structural integrity during cooking.
6. Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Remove meatballs from refrigerator and uncover.
7. Roast meatballs in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through cooking to ensure even browning. Verify internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) for food safety.
8. While meatballs cook, prepare the gravy by melting unsalted butter in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Gradually whisk in all-purpose flour to create a smooth roux.
9. Slowly stream beef broth and additional Worcestershire sauce into the roux, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing it to thicken.
10. Pour heavy cream into the gravy, stirring consistently until the sauce reaches a rich, velvety consistency. Season with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
11. Gently nestle the cooked meatballs into the prepared gravy, allowing them to warm through and absorb the sauce’s flavors. Optionally, garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve alongside traditional lingonberry jam.

Notes

• Chill the meat mixture thoroughly to help breadcrumbs absorb moisture and develop richer flavors.
• Select ground beef with 80/20 fat content for maximum juiciness and deep meaty taste.
• Mix ingredients gently to maintain tender texture and ensure even seasoning distribution.
• Create uniform meatballs using a cookie scoop or wet hands for consistent cooking.
• Baking offers a healthier cooking method that ensures even heating and preserves meatball moisture.

• Prep Time: 50 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Swedish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg