Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Köttbullar- Swedish Meatballs

Swedish Meatballs were very popular in the 50's and 60's, but they are still one of my comfort food favorites.  My grandfather was Swedish and I hope he would be proud of my version of Swedish Meatballs.



  • 2 slices white bread, torn into small pieces
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1/2 lb. ground pork
  • 2 slices bacon minced
  • 1 cup minced onion
  • 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1 egg. slightly beaten
  • 1/4 tsp. ground allspice**
  • 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
  • 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 2 Tbsp. sour cream
Place bread and milk in a small bowl; let sit until soft, about 5 minutes.  

Add bacon to a medium skillet and cook until crisp.  Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towel.  In same skillet, add 1 Tbsp. butter and onion and saute until lightly brown, about 5 minutes.  Transfer onion and bacon to a large bowl.  Add bread, ground beef, pork egg, allspice, nutmeg and salt and pepper and and mix until evenly combined.  Shape into meatballs.

In same skillet that you used to fry bacon and onion, add meatballs and cook, turning as needed until browned all over; about 6-8 minutes.  Transfer meatballs to a plate.  Drain all but 2 Tbsp. drippings from skillet.  Whisk in flour until smooth paste forms.  Stir in 2 cups stock;  bring to a simmer, whisking often.  Return meatballs to skillet.  Cover; simmer until meatballs are cooked through 7-10 minutes.  Remove from heat, whisk in sour cream, and stir to coat meatballs.

Serve with mashed potatoes or potato pancakes and Lingonberry preserves.*
*Whole Cranberry Sauce can be substituted for the Lingonberry
**I like just a little of the allspice and nutmeg, but you can certainly up it to suit your taste.

Sharing with Thursdays Treasures
Adapted from Smorgas Chef, NY

10 comments:

  1. I also enjoy Swedish meatballs. It is comfort food for me too. Thanks for sharing your recipe.

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  2. What a lovely dinner. I love meatballs, and lingonberries. Mmmm xo

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  3. I see that bacon... Boy that sounds good:@)

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  4. Everyone in my home would love these meatballs! My kids have a wee-bit of Swedish blood in them from their father's side. The sauce sounds heavenly Patti!

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  5. As a Swedish Meatball addict I will confess that we have often scheduled trips to Ikea just for the meatballs. :) So making them at home would be even better. :)

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  6. Patti, I love this! It has been so long since I have had Swedish Meatballs. Thank you so much for sharing on Thursday's Treasures Week 52! See you again soon! <3 and hugs!

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  7. These look absolutely delicious! Swedish meatballs are one of my all-time favorites. Thank you!

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  8. Retro is TOTALLY chic..especially with a recipe like this!

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  9. A wonderful recipe - I like the addition of bacon.

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  10. I chanced upon this recipe and made it this weekend for family, to many raves. It makes a ton of gravy, so make sure you have plenty of smashed potatoes or noodles to go along with the meatballs. My kids loved it as much as my IKEA Swedish-meatball-loving son-in-law.

    Penelope
    KRW Lawyers

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