Swedish Meatball Recipe

There are many claims for an authentic Swedish Meatball Recipe.

In my opinion it comes down to the sauce. Take your choice of which sauce to serve with this recipe.

Swedish Meatball Recipe

1 Pound Ground Beef
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1 cup soft breadcrumbs
1 tsp. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Pepper
1/4 tsp. Ginger
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. Nutmeg
1/4 tsp. Cinnamon
Olive Oil
Choice of Sauces (see below)

Beat the egg and milk together and mix in the breadcrumbs.

Combine the brown sugar, salt, pepper, ginger, ground cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon thoroughly.

Lightly blend the ground beef with the spice mixture and then the egg mixture. Do not over mix. Form into 12 meatballs.

Fry the meatballs in hot olive oil, about 1-inch deep, until fully cooked, turning only once.

Alternately you can place the meatballs in a baking pan and brown in a moderate oven at 375 degrees.

Prepare the Swedish meatball sauce of your choice from the recipes below.

Fold the meatballs into the sauce and spoon into a chafing dish, stainless steel or enamel pan. Heat gently to serving temperature. A crock-pot works well to keep the meatballs hot for extended periods of time.

Sweet and Tangy Sauce For Swedish Meatballs:

1/2 c. catsup
2 Tbsp. Margarine
2 Tbsp. light molasses
1 Tbsp. Vinegar
2 Tbsp. Water
1/2 tsp. Oregano
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes. Add to the meatballs. Heat the sauce through to serving temperature.

Depending on the quantity of meatballs you have you may have to double or even triple this recipe.

Mushroom Sauce For Swedish Meatballs:

2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1 soup can of milk
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 cup sour cream
salt and pepper to taste

Combine all the sauce ingredients except the mushrooms and the sour cream. Bring the sauce to a simmer. Add the mushrooms and then slowly stir in the sour cream to prevent curdling. Add the meatballs and simmer slowly for about 45 minutes.

Sour Cream Swedish Meatball Sauce:

2 tbsp. Butter
2 tbsp. Flour
1 c. beef broth
1/2 tsp. Salt
Dash cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 c. (1/2 pt.) dairy sour cream, room temperature

Pour all the excess oil from the meatball frying pan. Add the butter to brownings. Stir in the flour and cook until bubbly. Add the broth, salt, cayenne pepper and Worcestershire sauce and cook, stirring, until thickened and bubbly.

Empty the sour cream into a large bowl. Gradually add the sauce, stirring constantly so the sour cream doesn't curdle. Add the meatballs and bring slowly to serving temperature.

Whichever sauce you choose for your Swedish Meatball Recipe the meatballs are great served over wide noodles or boiled potatoes. Garnish with minced parsley.