The word smörgåsbord is a Swedish word that refers to a type of Scandinavian meal, which originated in Sweden. A smörgåsbord is a buffet-style meal which includes many main and side dishes presented on a table. Guests serve themselves sampling a little of this and that. Almost every smörgåsbord will include a plate of aromatic and delicious Swedish Meatballs. Our Swedish Meatballs Recipe can be served with or without sauce. We have included a White Sauce Recipe and a Brown Gravy Recipe. Pick one!

Swedish Meatballs Recipe Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 pound ground pork
• 1 medium onion, grated
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons all spice
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

White Sauce Recipe Ingredients 

• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup butter
• 4 cups cream, half and half, whole milk or combination of them
• salt and pepper to taste

Brown Gravy Recipe Ingredients 

• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup butter
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1 cup cream
• 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
• salt and pepper to taste

Note: We made the White Sauce to go with our Swedish Meatballs and served the sauce on the side. Much thanks to my dear friend, Linda Hedberg, for sharing their family’s favorite Swedish Meatballs Recipe.

Grate onions. We used a food processor. Pour off liquid.

Saute onions in butter over medium heat until onions are translucent.

Place meat, eggs, seasoned bread crumbs, saute onions, sugar, salt, pepper, all spice, and nutmeg in large bowl.

Mix well by hand.

Refrigerate for at least an hour.

Line 2 jelly roll pans with foil. Set cooling racks inside the pan to hold the meatballs.

Scoop the meat – about 2 tablespoons- and roll into balls about 1 1/4 inch diameter. Set them on the cooling racks in the prepared pans.

Bake in a preheated oven for 20 – 25 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees F. If you need 2 pans, switch the pans halfway through the baking.

Serve alone or make our White Sauce or Brown Gravy. To serve, some people like to put the meatballs in the gravy and other people like to serve the gravy on the side.

White Sauce Recipe

In a nonstick pan, melt butter over medium heat. Place flour in the butter and mix well until the flour is thoroughly incorporated into the butter. This makes a roux. Slowly begin adding the cream, mixing well.

Heat sauce until it begins to bubble along the edges. Add salt and pepper to taste. If sauce is too thick, add more cream. If it is too watery, cook longer. Pour into a gravy boat and serve with the meatballs and mashed potatoes. Or, if you prefer, add baked meatballs to the sauce, mixing to coat all the meatballs and serve.

Brown Gravy Recipe

Make the same as the White Sauce but instead of using 4 cups of cream, use 1 cup cream and 3 cups beef broth for the liquid. When the gravy is done, add salt and pepper to taste and the fresh, chopped parsley. Add the meatballs to the gravy or serve them separate.

Serving Suggestions: Serve with mashed potatoes, Swedish Pickled Cucumbers and Swedish Red Cabbage. Note: Although potatoes are a traditional side dish to meatballs in Sweden, many people like to serve Swedish Meatballs with wide noodles. Our family likes them both ways.