This Jamie Oliver 15 Minute Meal Swedish Meatballs is a creamy and savory recipe, which uses beef and pork mince. It’s a straightforward recipe, ready in about 15 minutes.
Jamie Oliver 15 Minute Meal Swedish Meatballs Ingredients
Rice
- 1 celeriac
- Olive oil
- A few sprigs of fresh lemon thyme
- 1 mug (300g) of 10-minute wholegrain or basmati rice
- 200g baby spinach
Meatballs
- 200g lean beef mince
- 200g lean pork mince
- ½ a bunch of fresh dill
- 2 tsp caraway seeds
- 1 swig of vodka
- 4 tsp cranberry jam
- 4 tbsp single cream
- 4 tbsp fat-free natural yoghurt, to serve
How To Make Jamie Oliver 15 Minute Meal Swedish Meatballs
- Prep the celeriac: Peel and dice celeriac, then cook in a casserole pan with oil, thyme, salt, pepper, and a splash of boiling water. Cover and cook on high.
- Cook the rice: In a small pan, combine rice with boiling water and a pinch of salt. Cover and cook until fluffy.
- Form the meatballs: Mix beef and pork mince with salt, pepper, and chopped dill. Form into 20 meatballs using wet hands.
- Fry the meatballs: Cook in a hot frying pan with oil and caraway seeds, turning until golden.
- Finish the sauce: Add vodka to the pan, carefully flambé (optional), then stir in cranberry jam, cream, and a splash of water. Simmer briefly.
- Assemble and serve: Mix spinach and rice into the celeriac pan. Serve meatballs over rice, top with yoghurt and fresh dill.

Recipe Tips
- How to keep meatballs juicy: Don’t overcook; just golden is enough before adding sauce.
- Can I skip the vodka? Yes, substitute with water or stock if preferred.
- What to use instead of cranberry jam? Lingonberry jam or redcurrant jelly works well.
- Is this dish kid-friendly? Yes—just skip the flambé step for safety.
- How to avoid dry celeriac: Add a splash of boiling water when cooking and stir frequently.
What To Serve With Swedish Meatballs
These meatballs are complete on their own but also pair well with:
- Pickled cucumbers
- Crusty rye bread
- Simple green salad
- Roasted root vegetables
How To Store Swedish Meatballs
Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Reheat: Warm gently in a pan or microwave, adding a splash of water or cream.
Freeze: Not recommended due to cream and yoghurt in the sauce.
Swedish Meatballs Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 576 kcal per serving
- Protein: ~38g
- Fat: ~28g
- Carbs: ~40g
- Fiber: ~6g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I use all beef instead of a mix?
Yes, all beef works fine but the flavor is slightly less rich.
What’s a good non-dairy substitute for the cream?
Use oat cream or coconut cream for a dairy-free version.
How spicy are caraway seeds?
They add a mild, warm flavor—not spicy at all.
Jamie Oliver 15 Minute Meal Swedish Meatballs
Course: DinnerCuisine: Swedish-InspiredDifficulty: Easy4
5
minutes10
minutes576
kcalCreamy Swedish-style meatballs with dill, cranberry jam, and fluffy rice mixed with baby spinach and tender celeriac—ready in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Celeriac, rice, spinach, lemon thyme
Beef mince, pork mince, dill
Caraway seeds, vodka, cranberry jam
Single cream, yoghurt
Directions
- Dice and cook celeriac with thyme, oil, and boiling water.
- Cook rice with water and salt in a small lidded pan.
- Mix and shape meatballs; fry with oil and caraway seeds.
- Flambé with vodka, stir in jam, cream, and water; simmer.
- Stir spinach and rice into celeriac; season.
- Serve meatballs over rice with yoghurt and dill.
Notes
- Use pre-cooked rice to save more time.
- Keep meatballs small for quick cooking.
- Always stir celeriac to avoid sticking.
- Serve with extra jam on the side for a sweet contrast.