Elva's Swedish Meatballs Sma Kottbullar

Transport your taste buds to Scandinavia with Elva's Swedish Meatballs (Sma Kottbullar), a comforting classic packed with rich, savory flavors. These bite-sized meatballs combine tender ground beef and pork with a dash of aromatic allspice and nutmeg for an authentic Swedish touch. The secret to their moist texture? Soaked breadcrumbs infused with whole milk. Pan-fried until golden and bathed in a creamy, velvety gravy made of beef broth, heavy cream, and a hint of soy sauce, these meatballs are irresistibly hearty and satisfying. Perfect as a main course, serve them alongside buttery mashed potatoes or egg noodles with a dollop of lingonberry jam for a traditional finish. With a prep and cook time of just one hour, this recipe is both approachable and special—ideal for cozy family dinners or celebratory feasts.

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 500 g Ground beef
• 250 g Ground pork
• 60 g Breadcrumbs
• 120 ml Whole milk
• 1 medium Onion, finely grated
• 1 large Egg
• 0.5 tsp Ground allspice
• 0.25 tsp Ground nutmeg
• 1.5 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 2 tbsp Butter
• 2 tbsp All-purpose flour
• 400 ml Beef broth
• 200 ml Heavy cream
• 1 tsp Soy sauce
• 0 Lingonberry jam (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs and milk. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to allow the breadcrumbs to absorb the milk.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, grated onion, egg, soaked breadcrumbs, ground allspice, ground nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Mix well using your hands or a wooden spoon until all the ingredients are fully incorporated.

Step 3

Shape the mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs, about 2.5 cm (1 inch) in diameter. Place them on a tray or plate and set aside.

Step 4

Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, fry the meatballs on all sides until they are browned. This should take 4–5 minutes per batch. Remove the cooked meatballs and set them aside.

Step 5

In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of butter and melt it over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to form a roux.

Step 6

Gradually whisk in the beef broth, ensuring there are no lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it thicken for 3–4 minutes.

Step 7

Stir in the heavy cream and soy sauce to create a rich gravy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 8

Return the meatballs to the skillet, coating them in the gravy. Simmer for 10–12 minutes, ensuring the meatballs are cooked through.

Step 9

Serve the Swedish meatballs hot, accompanied by lingonberry jam (if desired) and sides like mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1786.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3322.4

Total Fat 246.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 112.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.8g
Cholesterol 1057.0mg	0%
Sodium 7085.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 90.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 6.2g	0%
Total Sugars 25.3g
Protein 175.9g	0%

Vitamin D 112.7IU	0%
Calcium 395.1mg	0%
Iron 16.1mg	0%
Potassium 1920.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 67.6%

Protein: 21.4%

Carbs: 11.0%