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.

