This quick and easy Swedish meatball recipe is a delicious 30-minute meal for busy weekdays. Tender meatballs paired with a rich, creamy sauce. Perfect for a quick lunch, snack, or cosy family dinner. Simple ingredients you can easily find at your nearby store.
🍽️ Serves 4 | 🌿 GF Option | 🥩 High-Protein | ❄️ Freezer-Friendly
If you love Swedish meatballs, this recipe is a must-try! It's even better than the famous Ikea version—perfectly seasoned, juicy, and covered in a rich, creamy gravy. For another cosy meal, try my one-pan beef stew with mash, a hearty and satisfying dish that’s easy to make. Both recipes are packed with flavour and perfect for a comforting dinner.
I especially enjoy quick and easy recipes that can be paired differently each time. This recipe pairs wonderfully with Lebanese rice and broken vermicelli, Turkish bulgur pilav, pasta, mashed or oven-baked potato wedges from scratch or a slice of easy no-knead artisan bread recipe.
Jump to:
- 💗 Why This Swedish Meatballs Recipe Works
- 🥘 Swedish Meatballs Recipe Ingredients
- Sauce
- ♻️ Substitutions
- Dietary Swaps & Allergen-Friendly Versions
- 👩🍳 How to Make Swedish Meatballs in 30 Minutes
- 💭 Expert Tips
- 🥗 Serving Suggestions
- ❓ Quick Swedish Meatballs Recipe FAQs
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- Better Than IKEA Swedish Meatballs
💗 Why This Swedish Meatballs Recipe Works
✅ 30-minute meal – Faster than a trip to Ikea!
✅ Creamy, dreamy sauce – Rich, velvety gravy made from pantry staples.
✅ Meal-prep friendly – Freeze for quick dinners later.
✅ Kid-approved – Sneak in veggies like grated zucchini.
Perfect for: Busy weeknights | Comfort food cravings | Ikea copycat fans
🥘 Swedish Meatballs Recipe Ingredients
For Meatballs
- Beef mince meat: This is the primary ingredient for the meatballs, providing the base protein. Choose ground beef with some fat content (about 80-85%) to ensure the meatballs are juicy and flavorful.
Sauce
♻️ Substitutions
For the meatballs:
- Ground beef: Ground turkey, chicken, or a mix of beef and pork in equal amounts can be used as alternatives.
- Onion, finely chopped: Shallots or leeks are also good.
- Eggs: A flaxseed or chia seed egg can be substituted for a vegan option.
- Breadcrumbs: Panko or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Garlic: You can use powder or granules instead or frozen chopped garlic.
- Fresh herbs: Cilantro, basil, or thyme can also be used.
For the sauce:
- Butter: Olive oil or vegetable oil can be substituted.
- Flour: All-purpose or gluten-free flour or cornstarch can be used.
- Beef stock: Gravy granules can be used instead.
Dietary Swaps & Allergen-Friendly Versions
Gluten-Free Swedish Meatballs
▢ Breadcrumbs: Use 50g gluten-free panko (or crushed rice crackers)
▢ Gravy Thickener: Swap flour for 2 tablespoon cornstarch or 1:1 GF flour
▢ Stock Cubes: Ensure certified GF (like Knorr GF beef stock)
Dairy-Free Cream Sauce
▢ Butter: Substitute 50g olive oil or vegan butter
▢ Creaminess: Add 120ml coconut milk (full-fat for richness) instead of cream
👩🍳 How to Make Swedish Meatballs in 30 Minutes
Get everything prepped before you start: chop the onion, measure the breadcrumbs, mix the spices, and have the meat, eggs, flour, and warm water ready. A few minutes of prep now makes cooking way easier later.
Step 1: Boil water in a deep pot. Meanwhile, mix beef mince, onion, eggs, breadcrumbs, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper. If stiff, add a splash of water. Shape into 1-inch meatballs.
Step 2: Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low. Gently drop the meatballs into the pot. Cook until they float, then leave them for an extra 5 minutes to stay tender.
Step 3: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook meatballs in batches for about 5 minutes each, browning all sides and cooking through. Set aside.
Step 4: Crumble stock cubes in the skillet. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute. Slowly add hot water, boil, then simmer 5 minutes until thick.
Step 5: Return meatballs to the sauce and simmer 5 minutes. Serve with mashed potatoes, peas, and jam. Garnish with dill or parsley. A quick, easy meal everyone will love!
*A full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
💭 Expert Tips
- Choose the Right Meat:
- Beef: Go for ground beef with 80-85% fat for the juiciest, most flavorful meatballs.
- Lighter Options: Mix in or use ground turkey or chicken for a healthier twist.
- Brown properly: Use a hot skillet to brown the meatballs evenly on all sides for that caramelised taste and to seal in moisture. Don't crowd the pan!
- Simmer in the Sauce: After browning, let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for about 10 minutes. This step melds the flavours and ensures meatballs are tender and fully cooked, soaking up all the sauce's goodness.
🥗 Serving Suggestions
Mashed potatoes are a classic side, perfect for soaking up the sauce. Steamed white or brown rice pilaf with broken vermicelli works well as a neutral base. A fresh tomato and feta salad adds a crisp, light touch. Use crusty artisan bread or soft tangzhong burger buns for dipping in the sauce.
Baked sweet potato wedges from scratch bring a sweet, earthy flavour. Creamy traditional Romanian polenta (mamaliga) is a comforting base, or pair it with Turkish bulgur pilav. Don’t forget a dollop of lingonberry jam for a bright, tart contrast with the meatballs. Goes so well!
❓ Quick Swedish Meatballs Recipe FAQs
I usually let them cool completely, then transfer them (with the sauce) into airtight containers or freezer bags. They freeze well for up to 2–3 months. When you're ready to eat, just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave. You might need to add a splash of water or milk to loosen up the sauce.
Authentic Swedish meatballs get their signature taste from allspice or nutmeg in the meat mixture, plus a creamy gravy made with butter, beef stock, and a touch of Worcestershire sauce for depth. My recipe includes these key flavours but simplifies the process!
IKEA’s meatballs use a mix of beef and pork for tenderness, plus breadcrumbs for texture. My recipe mimics their style but skips the preservatives, and cooks in half the time (30 mins vs. IKEA’s frozen version)!
IKEA serves lingonberry jam with their meatballs—a tart, slightly sweet condiment. If you can’t find lingonberries, cranberry sauce or raspberry jam works as a substitute!
IKEA’s meatballs contain additives and preservatives for shelf stability. My homemade version uses fresh, whole ingredients and lets you control salt/fat levels. For a lighter twist, try ground turkey or gluten-free breadcrumbs!
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Better Than IKEA Swedish Meatballs
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 1.1 lbs ground beef (or 50/50 beef+pork for authenticity)*
- 1 large onion finely chopped (or 1 tablespoon onion powder)
- 2 eggs (or flax eggs for binding)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (Panko or gluten-free work too)
- 5 garlic cloves grated or minced
- Parsley and dill chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce:
- 3.5 tablespoon butter (or olive oil for dairy-free)
- 3 tablespoon flour (cornstarch for gluten-free)
- 2 beef stock cubes (or 500ml homemade stock)
- 2 cups hot water
Instructions
- Start by filling a deep pot with water and bring it to a boil. While the water heats up, grab a large bowl and combine the following ingredients: beef mince, chopped onion, eggs, bread crumbs, minced garlic, chopped parsley or dill, salt and pepper.1.1 lbs ground beef, 1 large onion, 2 eggs, ½ cup breadcrumbs, 2 beef stock cubes, 5 garlic cloves, Parsley and dill
- Mix everything until well combined. Once ready, shape the mixture into meatballs, aiming for about 1 inch in diameter.
- When the water in the pot is boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and gently drop the meatballs in. Cook them until they float to the surface, then leave them for an extra 5 minutes to keep them soft and tender.
- In a large skillet, melt some butter over medium heat. Add the meatballs in small batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook until they're browned on all sides and cooked through—about 5 minutes per batch. Once done, remove them from the skillet and set aside.3.5 tablespoon butter, 3 tablespoon flour, 2 cups hot water
- Using the same skillet, crumble beef stock into the pan, stirring until dissolved. Add flour and stir constantly to make a smooth roux. Let it cook for about a minute until the flour turns lightly brown. Gradually pour hot water into the roux, stirring the entire time to keep it smooth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce thickens, around 5 minutes.
- Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, making sure they’re well-coated in the sauce. Lower the heat and let them simmer for another 5 minutes so the flavors can blend.
- Serve these Swedish meatballs with mashed potatoes, peas, and a spoonful of cranberry or lingonberry jam. Top with a sprinkle of fresh dill or parsley, or leave them plain—your choice.
- These Swedish meatballs are sure to be a hit with family or friends—enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Use ground beef with 80-85% fat for juicy meatballs.
- Chop onions finely for added sweetness and moisture.
- Don't overmix the meat mixture; handle it gently.
- Brown meatballs before simmering to seal in flavor.
- Serve with lingonberry jam for a traditional touch.
- Pair with mashed potatoes or egg noodles for a hearty meal.
Claudia Ciorteanu says
My family loved this!
Claudia says
My family loved this!
Elizabeth says
So easy and flavorful. My family loved this recipe and will be adding it to our weeknight dinner rotation!
Bernice says
Such a classic dinner dish that my family loves. They finish their plates every time I make it and I love that it's so easy to meal prep. Great recipe!
Gloria says
Swedish meatballs are always a hit with the family. Perfect for an easy weeknight meal. Great for batch cooking and putting some in the freezer for later.
Nicole says
These meatballs were so quick and delicious! The whole family loved them. Perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Liz says
Yours are even better than IKEA's!! My family asked me to make them again ASAP!! They're delicious.
Fabiana says
Swedish meatballs are something I can't resist!
I love that this recipe of yours is well explained, can be prepared in a short time, and with simple and natural ingredients.
The video of the recipe makes my mouth water... Thanks for sharing
Alena says
I love Swedish meatballs, these turned out absolutely delicious, will be making again next week.