Swedish Meatballs Alton Brown's

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with Alton Brown's Swedish Meatballs, a recipe that combines classic Scandinavian flavors with a chef's finesse. This dish features tender, perfectly spiced meatballs made from a blend of ground beef and pork, enhanced with warm notes of allspice and nutmeg. Sautéed onions, breadcrumbs, and a splash of milk ensure a moist, flavorful bite every time. The creamy, velvety gravy—crafted from beef stock, a touch of heavy cream, and a roux made directly in the skillet—coats each meatball in rich, savory goodness. Ready in under an hour, this recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner, served over fluffy mashed potatoes, buttery egg noodles, or steamed rice. Garnished with fresh parsley, these Swedish meatballs transform any table into a feast of soul-warming flavors.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 cup Yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 pound Ground beef
• 1 pound Ground pork
• 0.75 cup Plain breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cup Milk
• 1 Egg, beaten
• 0.5 teaspoon Allspice
• 0.25 teaspoon Nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.25 cup All-purpose flour
• 3 cups Beef stock
• 0.5 cup Heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, for garnish

Directions

Step 1

Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool.

Step 3

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, beaten egg, allspice, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and the cooled onions. Mix gently until incorporated.

Step 4

Using a tablespoon-sized scoop, form the mixture into small meatballs, approximately 1 inch in diameter.

Step 5

Wipe out the skillet and melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Cook the meatballs in batches, ensuring they are browned on all sides, about 6-8 minutes total. Transfer the cooked meatballs to a plate.

Step 6

Once all the meatballs are cooked, reduce the heat to medium-low and sprinkle the flour into the skillet. Whisk it into the browned bits and drippings to form a roux.

Step 7

Slowly pour the beef stock into the skillet, whisking continuously to ensure a smooth sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes until it begins to thicken.

Step 8

Stir in the heavy cream and season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Simmer the sauce for 2 minutes.

Step 9

Return the meatballs to the skillet, ensuring they are coated in the sauce. Simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the meatballs to heat through.

Step 10

Garnish with fresh parsley and serve the Swedish meatballs over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice for a hearty, comforting meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2241.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3798.1

Total Fat 267.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 112.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.5g
Cholesterol 1067.2mg	0%
Sodium 6451.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 110.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.1g	0%
Total Sugars 18.7g
Protein 220.3g	0%

Vitamin D 93.7IU	0%
Calcium 608.8mg	0%
Iron 19.9mg	0%
Potassium 1933.7mg	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: 64.5%

Protein: 23.6%

Carbs: 11.9%