By Becky Hardin
Updated Oct 31, 2025
You might think of Ikea when you hear Swedish Meatballs, but trust me, this homemade recipe is even better! Perfectly-spiced meatballs with a rich, creamy, delectable gravy come together quicker than you’d think. I find it’s such a cozy meal idea for those cold winter days, but just as great for parties.
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5-Star Review
“I have tried out at least three different recipes of Swedish Meatball sauce and this is far and away the best. I am always having to add something to the other recipes to make them taste better but this one needed no alterations. Thank you!!” – Renee
Easy Swedish Meatball Recipe
I’ve prepared these chicken and beef meatballs with allspice and nutmeg for that specific flavor that makes Swedish meatballs so unique. I then cooked them in a creamy gravy sauce that is just so unbelievably delicious. (I can never resist sneaking a few spoonfuls from the pan.)
While I enjoy making the meatballs from scratch, for those days when I’m craving this comfy meal but am short of time, I’ll use frozen meatballs. I won’t get the warm spices that flavor the meatballs, but the gravy itself adds so much flavor that it’s a good compromise. I cook the meatballs per the package instructions, make the sauce, and let them simmer per instructions below. And for those super hectic days when I need a hands-off meal, these crockpot Swedish meatballs comes to the rescue.
Ingredients1x2x3x
For the Meatballs
- ▢ ⅓ cup breadcrumbs
- ▢ ½ cup milk
- ▢ 2 tbsp heavy cream
- ▢ 1 large egg
- ▢ ½ tsp kosher salt
- ▢ ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ▢ ¼ tsp ground allspice
- ▢ ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ▢ 1 tbsp minced fresh parsley
- ▢ 1 tbsp unsalted butter (⅛ stick)
- ▢ 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- ▢ ½ yellow onion minced
- ▢ 1 clove garlic minced
- ▢ 1 lb. ground chicken use any combination of chicken, turkey, beef, and pork you prefer, or stick to one.
- ▢ 1½ lbs. ground chuck
For the Sauce
- ▢ 6 tbsp unsalted butter (¾ stick)
- ▢ ⅓ cup all-purpose flour*
- ▢ 14.5 oz. low sodium beef broth (1 can)
- ▢ 14.5 oz. low-sodium chicken broth (1 can)
- ▢ 1 cup heavy cream
- ▢ ¾ cup sour cream
- ▢ 1 tsp beef instant bouillon granules I used Wyler’s
- ▢ 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- ▢ 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ▢ 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ▢ 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- ▢ 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- ▢ ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ▢ kosher salt as needed, taste first
- ▢ 1-2 tbsp minced fresh parsley
For Serving (Optional)
- ▢ cranberry sauce or lingonberry jam
Video
Instructions
For the Meatballs
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Cover 2 large baking sheets with foil and spray the foil with nonstick spray. Set aside for now.
- In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, milk, cream, egg, salt, pepper, allspice, nutmeg, and parsley. Set the mixture aside to allow the milk to soak into the breadcrumbs, at least 10 minutes. ⅓ cup breadcrumbs, ½ cup milk, 2 tbsp heavy cream, 1 large egg, ½ tsp kosher salt, ¼ tsp ground black pepper, ¼ tsp ground allspice, ¼ tsp ground nutmeg, 1 tbsp minced fresh parsley
- Heat 1 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp oil in a medium skillet set over medium heat. Add the minced onion and sauté until translucent. Add the minced garlic and sauté 30 seconds. Transfer the onion/garlic mixture to the breadcrumb mixture. 1 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 tbsp vegetable oil, ½ yellow onion, 1 clove garlic
- Once the breadcrumb mixture is ready, add the ground chuck and chicken. Mix well using a wooden spoon. 1 lb. ground chicken, 1½ lbs. ground chuck
- Roll meat into 1½" balls (or use a 1½" scoop) and place on the prepared sheet pan 1 inch apart.
- Cook 20 minutes, or until no longer pink in the center.
For the Sauce
- While meatballs are cooking, prepare the sauce: Melt the butter in a large skillet. 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- Add the flour to the butter and whisk well. Cook over med-low heat until mixture turns a little darker. Whisk often. ⅓ cup all-purpose flour*
- Add beef broth, chicken broth, cream, sour cream, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, cider vinegar, sugar, and black pepper. Taste, then season with salt, if needed. 14.5 oz. low sodium beef broth, 14.5 oz. low-sodium chicken broth, 1 cup heavy cream, ¾ cup sour cream, 1 tsp beef instant bouillon granules, 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp granulated sugar, ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper, kosher salt
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat to low and add the meatballs. Simmer, stirring gently and often, until gravy has thickened. Add chopped parsley and stir gently. 1-2 tbsp minced fresh parsley
- Serve over egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or macaroni. If eating Swedish Meatballs without noodles or a side dish, serve with a teaspoon of cranberry sauce or lingonberry jam on the side, optional. cranberry sauce
Equipment
- 2 Baking Sheets
Becky’s Tips
- For an optional thickener , before adding the meatballs, mix 1 tbsp of cornstarch and 2 tbsp milk or cold water , and add it to the sauce, stirring over low heat until the mixture thickens.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Swedish Meatballs Step by Step
Get the oven going and prepare the baking sheets : Preheat the oven to 400°F and cover 2 large baking sheets with foil, and then spray the foil with nonstick spray. Set aside for now.
Prepare the meatballs: Combine ⅓ cup breadcrumbs, ½ cup milk, 2 tbsp heavy cream, 1 large egg, ½ tsp kosher salt, ¼ tsp ground black pepper, ¼ tsp ground allspice, ¼ tsp ground nutmeg, and 1 tbsp minced fresh parsley in a large bowl. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes so the milk can soak into the breadcrumbs.
Heat 1 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp oil in a medium skillet set over medium heat, and then add ½ yellow onion and sauté until translucent before adding the clove of garlic. Sauté the garlic for 30 seconds. Combine the onion/garlic mixture with the breadcrumb mixture.
Add 1 lb. of ground chuck and 1½ lbs. of ground chicken. Mix well using a wooden spoon.
Roll meat into 1½” balls (or use a 1½” scoop) and place on the prepared sheet pan 1 inch apart.
Cook 20 minutes, or until no longer pink in the center.
Prepare the sauce: Melt 6 tbsp of butter in a large skillet, add ⅓ cup all-purpose flour, and whisk well. Cook over medium-low heat until the mixture turns a little darker. Whisk often.
Add 14.5 oz. low-sodium beef broth, 14.5 oz. low-sodium chicken broth, 1 cup heavy cream, ¾ cup sour cream, 1 tsp Beef Instant Bouillon Granules, 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp granulated sugar, and ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper. Taste, then season with salt, if needed.
Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and add the meatballs. Simmer, stirring gently and often, until the gravy has thickened. Add 1-2 tbsp parsley and stir gently.
Serve: Serve over egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or macaroni. If eating Swedish Meatballs without noodles or a side dish, serve with a teaspoon of cranberry sauce or lingonberry jam on the side if desired.
How to Store
Store leftovers in an airtight container, and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can store the meatballs directly in the sauce, or separate them (both options work fine).
To reheat, warm them up in the oven until fully heated through. You can also mix in a bit more cream to help make the sauce creamy again.
While I do not recommend freezing the sauce, you can freeze the Swedish meatballs for up to 3 months. Freeze in a single layer on a lined baking sheet until solid, about 1-2 hours. Transfer to an airtight container or Ziplock bag to store. Let thaw overnight before finishing in the sauce.
Serving Suggestions
For a really cozy and comforting dinner, I like to serve the meatballs with egg noodles or homemade pasta . If I’m not in a pasta mood, these creamy mashed potatoes or simple roasted potatoes are my next favorite option. The gravy coats the pasta and potatoes so beautifully!
If I serve these as an appetizer, I’ll put out a bowl of lingonberry jam or cranberry sauce for dipping.
more meatball recipes to love
Grandma’s Meatball Recipe
Air Fryer Meatballs
Baked Turkey Meatballs
Chicken Piccata Meatballs
Swedish Meatballs Recipe
Equipment
- 2 Baking Sheets
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- ⅓ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup milk
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 large egg
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp ground allspice
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tbsp minced fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter (⅛ stick)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- ½ yellow onion minced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 lb. ground chicken use any combination of chicken, turkey, beef, and pork you prefer, or stick to one.
- 1½ lbs. ground chuck
For the Sauce
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter (¾ stick)
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour*
- 14.5 oz. low sodium beef broth (1 can)
- 14.5 oz. low-sodium chicken broth (1 can)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 1 tsp beef instant bouillon granules I used Wyler’s
- 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- kosher salt as needed, taste first
- 1-2 tbsp minced fresh parsley
For Serving (Optional)
- cranberry sauce or lingonberry jam
Instructions
For the Meatballs
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Cover 2 large baking sheets with foil and spray the foil with nonstick spray. Set aside for now.
- In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, milk, cream, egg, salt, pepper, allspice, nutmeg, and parsley. Set the mixture aside to allow the milk to soak into the breadcrumbs, at least 10 minutes. ⅓ cup breadcrumbs, ½ cup milk, 2 tbsp heavy cream, 1 large egg, ½ tsp kosher salt, ¼ tsp ground black pepper, ¼ tsp ground allspice, ¼ tsp ground nutmeg, 1 tbsp minced fresh parsley
- Heat 1 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp oil in a medium skillet set over medium heat. Add the minced onion and sauté until translucent. Add the minced garlic and sauté 30 seconds. Transfer the onion/garlic mixture to the breadcrumb mixture. 1 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 tbsp vegetable oil, ½ yellow onion, 1 clove garlic
- Once the breadcrumb mixture is ready, add the ground chuck and chicken. Mix well using a wooden spoon. 1 lb. ground chicken, 1½ lbs. ground chuck
- Roll meat into 1½" balls (or use a 1½" scoop) and place on the prepared sheet pan 1 inch apart.
- Cook 20 minutes, or until no longer pink in the center.
For the Sauce
- While meatballs are cooking, prepare the sauce: Melt the butter in a large skillet. 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- Add the flour to the butter and whisk well. Cook over med-low heat until mixture turns a little darker. Whisk often. ⅓ cup all-purpose flour*
- Add beef broth, chicken broth, cream, sour cream, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, cider vinegar, sugar, and black pepper. Taste, then season with salt, if needed. 14.5 oz. low sodium beef broth, 14.5 oz. low-sodium chicken broth, 1 cup heavy cream, ¾ cup sour cream, 1 tsp beef instant bouillon granules, 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp granulated sugar, ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper, kosher salt
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat to low and add the meatballs. Simmer, stirring gently and often, until gravy has thickened. Add chopped parsley and stir gently. 1-2 tbsp minced fresh parsley
- Serve over egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or macaroni. If eating Swedish Meatballs without noodles or a side dish, serve with a teaspoon of cranberry sauce or lingonberry jam on the side, optional. cranberry sauce
Video
Notes
- For an optional thickener , before adding the meatballs, mix 1 tbsp of cornstarch and 2 tbsp milk or cold water , and add it to the sauce, stirring over low heat until the mixture thickens.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
