Not Actually Swedish Meatballs

Submitted by: TJH
Location: Massachusetts, USA

Did you know the Swedish government admitted in 2018 that the meatballs that Ikea made famous are actually from Turkey? That’s right. Swedish Meatballs are really Turkish Meatballs. We don’t know if this recipe is more Swedish, Turkish, or American but they are a huge hit no matter who we make them for.

Traditional versions only have beef and pork so you could use more pork and eliminate the veal if desired.

Ingredients - Meatballs

3/4 lb Lean Ground Beef

1/2 lb Ground Veal

1/4 lb Ground Pork

1 1/2 Cups Soft Bread Crumbs

1 Cup Light Cream

1/2 Cup Chopped Onion

3 tbsp Butter

1 Egg

1/4 Cup Finely Snipped Parsley

1 1/4 tsp Salt

Dash Black Pepper

Dash Ground Ginger

Dash Ground Nutmeg

Ingredients - Gravy

2 tbsp Butter

2 tbsp All Purpose Flour

1 Beef Bouillon Cube

1 1/4 Cups Boiling Water

1/2 tsp Instant Coffee Powder

Preparation & Cooking Instructions - Meatballs

Soak bread in cream about 5 minutes. Cook onion in 1 tablespoon butter til tender.

Mix meats, crumb mixture, onion, egg, parsley, salt, pepper, ginger, and nutmeg. Beat 5 minutes at medium speed on electric mixer, or mix by hand until well combined. Shape into 1 1/2 inch balls (mixture will be soft - for easier shaping, wet hands or chill mixture first).

Brown meatballs in 2 tablespoons butter. Remove from skillet.

Preparation & Cooking Instructions - Gravy

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in skillet with drippings. Stir in 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour. Add beef bouillon cube disolved in 1 1/4 cups boiling water and instant coffee powder. Cook and stir until gravy thickens and bubbles. Add meatballs. Cover and cook slowly about 30 minutes, basting occasionally. Makes 30 balls.

Best served over egg noodles but can be served with rice instead.