The Best Swedish Meatballs and Gravy

heavy cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: milk + cornstarch

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground chicken

Ground turkey is leaner and often less expensive

beef broth

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: chicken broth

Vegetable broth is lower in calories and can be more affordable

bread crumbs

🥗Healthier: oats

💰Cheaper: crushed crackers

Oats provide fiber and are often cheaper than store-bought bread crumbs

In a large bowl, combine 1 pound of lean ground beef and 1 pound of ground pork.

Add 1/2 cup of panko breadcrumbs and 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce to the meat mixture.

Crack in 1 large egg and add 1/2 teaspoon each of ground allspice, ground nutmeg, salt, and black pepper.

Mix everything together with a spoon, rubber spatula, or your hands.

Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs, making about 32 meatballs in total.

You can either bake the meatballs in a 400-degree oven for 25-30 minutes or cook them in a skillet.

For skillet cooking, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the meatballs in batches, turning them to brown on all sides.

Once browned, remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.

In the same skillet, melt 1/4 cup of butter.

Add 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground allspice; whisk to form a paste and cook for 2-3 minutes.

Slowly whisk in 4 cups of beef broth until smooth.

Add 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce and bring to a simmer, thickening the gravy.

Season with salt and black pepper to taste, using about 1/4 teaspoon.

Reduce heat to low and stir in 2/3 cup of sour cream until combined.

Return the meatballs to the gravy and simmer until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens