Swedish Meatballs Recipe

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This Swedish Meatballs Recipe is a quick and savory recipe, which is made with a blend of beef and pork mince and a creamy cranberry sauce. It’s the perfect 15-minute meal, ready in about 20 minutes.

Swedish Meatballs Recipe 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 higher-welfare lean beef mince
200g higher-welfare lean pork mince
½ a bunch of fresh dill
2 teaspoons caraway seeds
1 swig of vodka
4 teaspoons cranberry jam
4 tablespoons single cream
4 tablespoons fat-free natural yoghurt, to serve

How To Make Swedish Meatballs Recipe

Prep the Celeriac and Rice: Dice the celeriac into 1cm pieces. Place it in a lidded casserole pan on high heat with 1 tablespoon of oil, thyme, a splash of boiling water, and seasoning. Cook, stirring regularly. In a separate small, lidded pan, combine 1 mug of rice with 2 mugs of boiling water and a pinch of salt. Cover and cook.
Form the Meatballs: In a bowl, combine the beef and pork mince with a pinch of salt and pepper and most of the finely chopped dill. Mix well with clean hands. Divide the mixture into 4, then quickly roll 5 small meatballs from each piece.
Cook the Meatballs: Add 1 tablespoon of oil to a hot, medium frying pan. Add the meatballs and caraway seeds, turn the heat to high, and toss regularly until the meatballs are golden brown.
Finish the Rice: Stir the baby spinach into the cooked celeriac until wilted. Add the cooked rice, stir everything together, and season to taste.
Make the Sauce: Carefully add a good swig of vodka to the meatball pan. You can light it with a match if you feel confident, and let the flames die down. Stir in the cranberry jam, single cream, and a few splashes of water. Let it simmer and thicken.
Serve: Serve the meatballs and sauce with the celeriac rice. Garnish with the remaining dill leaves and a dollop of natural yoghurt.

Recipe Tips

How to get perfectly shaped meatballs? Using slightly wet hands when rolling the meatballs prevents the mince mixture from sticking to your palms, making it easier to form smooth, uniform balls quickly.
Can I make this without vodka? Absolutely. The flaming vodka (flambé) adds a bit of theatrical fun and deepens the flavor, but you can skip it. Simply add the cranberry jam and cream directly to the pan after the meatballs are browned.
What is celeriac? Celeriac, or celery root, is a knobby root vegetable with a subtle, celery-like flavor and a starchy texture similar to a potato. It’s a delicious and nutritious alternative to plain rice.
Can I use different herbs? While dill is classic in Swedish cooking, you could substitute it with fresh parsley if you prefer a different flavor profile.

What To Serve With Swedish Meatballs

This is a complete meal, but it also pairs well with traditional Swedish accompaniments.

Lingonberry jam instead of cranberry
A simple cucumber salad
Pickled gherkins

How To Store Leftovers

Refrigerate: Store any leftover meatballs and rice in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.

Swedish Meatballs Nutrition Facts

Calories: 620 kcal
Carbohydrates: 70g
Protein: 45g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Sodium: 550mg
Fiber: 12g
Sugar: 15g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Is it necessary to use both beef and pork?

The combination of beef and pork is traditional for Swedish meatballs (köttbullar) and provides the best flavor and texture. The pork adds moisture and fat, while the beef provides a rich, savory flavor.

What are caraway seeds?

Caraway seeds are a spice with a distinct, slightly anise-like flavor. They are common in Scandinavian and Eastern European cooking and add an authentic touch to this dish.

Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can form the meatballs and store them, covered, in the refrigerator for up to a day before cooking. This can be a great time-saver.

Try More Recipes:

Mountain Meatballs Recipe
Simple Meatballs Recipe
Jamie Oliver 15 Minute Meal Lamb Meatballs

Course: DinnerCuisine: SwedishDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Calories

620

kcal

A quick and easy take on classic Swedish meatballs, served with a flavorful celeriac and spinach rice and a creamy cranberry-vodka sauce.

Ingredients

Rice: 1 celeriac, olive oil, lemon thyme, 1 mug (300g) rice, 200g baby spinach.
Meatballs: 200g beef mince, 200g pork mince, ½ bunch dill, 2 tsp caraway seeds, 1 swig vodka, 4 tsp cranberry jam, 4 tbsp single cream, 4 tbsp natural yoghurt.

Directions

Start the rice and cook the diced celeriac in a separate pan.
Mix the beef, pork, dill, and seasonings; roll into 20 small meatballs.
Pan-fry the meatballs with caraway seeds until golden brown.
Combine the cooked rice with the celeriac and wilted spinach.
Add vodka to the meatball pan, then stir in cranberry jam and cream to create a sauce.
Serve the meatballs and sauce over the celeriac rice, garnished with dill and yoghurt.

Notes

This recipe is designed to be a “15-Minute Meal,” so having all your ingredients prepped and ready to go is key.
Using wet hands makes rolling the meatballs much easier and faster.
The vodka flambé is optional but adds a fun flair and deeper flavor to the sauce.
Celeriac is a delicious and healthy alternative to plain rice that complements the flavors of the dish.