Best 6 Healthier Swedish Meatballs Recipes

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Dive into the delightful world of Swedish meatballs, a classic dish that tantalizes taste buds worldwide. Our collection features a range of delectable recipes, catering to diverse dietary preferences and cooking styles. Embark on a culinary journey through healthier versions that maintain the authentic flavors. Whether you prefer a traditional approach or a creative twist, these recipes offer something for every palate. Explore options that cater to gluten-free, dairy-free, and low-carb preferences, ensuring everyone can savor the goodness of Swedish meatballs. Get ready to indulge in a flavorful symphony of spices, tender meatballs, and luscious sauces that will transport you to the heart of Swedish cuisine.

Let's cook with our recipes!

SWEDISH MEATBALLS



Swedish Meatballs image

My family loves these Swedish meatballs. They are so tender and flavorful and much lighter than traditional recipes out there. And, let's not forget the sauce! The creamy sauce really makes the dish.

Provided by Gina

Categories     Appetizer     Dinner

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 15

1/2 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion (minced)
1 clove garlic (minced)
1 celery stalk (minced)
1/4 cup minced parsley
1/2 pound 93% lean ground turkey
1/2 pound 95% lean ground beef
1 large egg
1/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs or gluten-free crumbs
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon allspice
2 cups reduced sodium beef broth
3 ounces reduced fat cream cheese
chopped parsley (for garnish)

Steps:

  • In a large nonstick skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and add onions and garlic. Sauté until onions are translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add celery and parsley and cook until soft, about 3-4 more minutes. Set aside to cool.
  • In a large bowl, combine beef, turkey, egg, onion mixture, breadcrumbs, ¼ teaspoon salt, pepper and allspice. Mix well and form into 16 meatballs.
  • Add beef broth to the pan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and slowly drop meatballs into the broth. Cover and cook about 20 minutes, until cooked through.
  • Remove the meatballs with a slotted spoon and set aside in a serving dish. Strain the broth, transfer to a blender with cream cheese and blend until smooth. Return to the skillet with the meatballs and simmer

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 4 meatballs, Calories 293 kcal, Carbohydrate 8.5 g, Protein 30 g, Fat 14 g, Sodium 784 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 3 g, SaturatedFat 5.5 g, Cholesterol 131 mg

SWEDISH MEATBALLS



Swedish Meatballs image

The trick to Alton Brown's moist Swedish Meatballs recipe, from Good Eats on Food Network, is white bread soaked in milk.

Provided by Alton Brown

Categories     appetizer

Time 55m

Yield approximately 30 meatballs, 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 slices fresh white bread
1/4 cup milk
3 tablespoons clarified butter, divided
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
A pinch plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 pound ground chuck
3/4 pound ground pork
2 large egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups beef broth
1/4 cup heavy cream

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 200 degrees F.
  • Tear the bread into pieces and place in a small mixing bowl along with the milk. Set aside.
  • In a 12-inch straight sided saute pan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter. Add the onion and a pinch of salt and sweat until the onions are soft. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the bread and milk mixture, ground chuck, pork, egg yolks, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, black pepper, allspice, nutmeg, and onions. Beat on medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Using a scale, weigh meatballs into 1-ounce portions and place on a sheet pan. Using your hands, shape the meatballs into rounds.
  • Heat the remaining butter in the saute pan over medium-low heat, or in an electric skillet set to 250 degrees F. Add the meatballs and saute until golden brown on all sides, about 7 to 10 minutes. Remove the meatballs to an ovenproof dish using a slotted spoon and place in the warmed oven.
  • Once all of the meatballs are cooked, decrease the heat to low and add the flour to the pan or skillet. Whisk until lightly browned, approximately 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually add the beef stock and whisk until sauce begins to thicken. Add the cream and continue to cook until the gravy reaches the desired consistency. Remove the meatballs from the oven, cover with the gravy and serve.

HEART HEALTHY SWEDISH MEATBALLS



Heart Healthy Swedish Meatballs image

The secret to making Swedish meat balls is: good meat- finely ground, finely chopped onion and thorough mixing of ingredients. From "Cooking a la Heart"- Delicious Heart Healthy Recipes from the Mankato Heart Health Program, 1988.

Provided by BeccaB3c

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h

Yield 30 meatballs, 10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 large onion, very finely chopped
1 tablespoon water
1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/3 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups whole wheat bread crumbs
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups skim milk
1 1/2 tablespoons low-sodium beef bouillon granules

Steps:

  • In a covered saucepan, heat onion with water until onion pieces are soft.
  • Mix onion, beef, pork, allspice, cloves, salt and bread crumbs thoroughly.
  • Form into 30 medium balls.
  • In skillet (or in oven at 350 degrees), brown meat balls.
  • Remove balls to casserole dish.
  • Make gravy by mixing together flour, milk, bouillon granules and drippings in the same skillet.
  • Cook until thickened.
  • Pour gravy over meat balls.
  • Bake at 350 degrees or simmer until ready.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 334.1, Fat 13.6, SaturatedFat 5, Cholesterol 66.5, Sodium 446.6, Carbohydrate 27, Fiber 3.4, Sugar 3.2, Protein 26.2

CLASSIC SWEDISH MEATBALLS



Classic Swedish meatballs image

Now you can recreate the meatballs you've enjoyed on furniture shopping trips at home...

Provided by Good Food team

Categories     Dinner, Lunch, Main course

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 8

400g lean pork mince
1 egg, beaten
1 small onion, finely chopped or grated
85g fresh white breadcrumbs
1 tbsp finely chopped dill, plus extra to serve
1tbsp each olive oil and butter
2 tbsp plain flour
400ml hot beef stock (from a cube is fine)

Steps:

  • In a bowl, mix the mince with the egg, onion, breadcrumbs, dill and seasoning. Form into small meatballs about the size of walnuts - you should get about 20.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick frying pan and brown the meatballs. You may have to do this in 2 batches. Remove from pan, melt the butter, then sprinkle over the flour and stir well. Cook for 2 mins, then slowly whisk in the stock. Keep whisking until it is a thick gravy, then return the meatballs to the pan and heat through. Sprinkle with dill and serve with cranberry jelly, greens and mash.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 301 calories, Fat 13 grams fat, SaturatedFat 4 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 22 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 2 grams sugar, Fiber 1 grams fiber, Protein 26 grams protein, Sodium 1.73 milligram of sodium

BEST SWEDISH MEATBALLS



Best Swedish Meatballs image

Our family has been using this recipe for more than 40 years. The tender meatballs are made with a combination of beef, veal and pork, then spiced with nutmeg and ginger. If your family likes their meatballs a little milder, reduce the nutmeg to 1/2 teaspoon. Coffee adds nice color to the gravy, which is delicious over noodles.-Rev. Jim Thyren, West Pittston, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h20m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

1-1/2 cups soft bread crumbs
1 cup half-and-half cream
1 egg, beaten
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 pound each ground beef, veal and pork
GRAVY:
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) beef broth
1/2 cup hot brewed coffee
Hot cooked egg noodles, optional

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine bread crumbs and cream; let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in the egg, onion, parsley, salt, nutmeg and ginger. Crumble meat over mixture and mix well., Shape into 1-in. balls. Place meatballs on a greased rack in a shallow baking pan. Bake, at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until no longer pink. Drain on paper towels. , Transfer meatballs to a greased 11x7-in. baking dish. Scrape pan drippings into a small saucepan; stir in flour until blended. Gradually stir in broth and coffee. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Pour over meatballs. , Bake, uncovered, for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly. Serve with noodles if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 371 calories, Fat 24g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 135mg cholesterol, Sodium 878mg sodium, Carbohydrate 11g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 24g protein.

SWEDISH MEATBALLS



Swedish meatballs image

Cook pork mince meatballs and serve with classic lingonberry or cranberry sauce and spring greens for a healthy, low-calorie family meal

Provided by Esther Clark

Categories     Dinner, Main course

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tbsp rapeseed oil
1 onion , finely chopped
1 small garlic clove , finely grated
375g lean pork mince
1 medium egg yolk
grating of nutmeg
50g fine fresh breadcrumbs
300ml hot low-salt beef stock
½ tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp fat-free natural yogurt
400g spring greens , shredded
lingonberry or cranberry sauce , to serve

Steps:

  • Put 1 tbsp rapeseed oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onion and fry for 10 mins or until soft and translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 min. Leave to cool.
  • Mix the cooled onions, pork mince, egg yolk, a good grating of nutmeg and the breadcrumbs in a bowl with your hands until well combined. Form into 12 balls and chill for 15 mins.
  • Heat the remaining oil in a frying pan and fry the meatballs for 5 mins over a medium heat, turning often until golden. Pour over the stock and bubble for 8-10 mins or until it has reduced a little. Stir through the mustard and yogurt.
  • Steam the greens for 5 mins or until tender. Serve the meatballs with the greens and a dollop of the sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 323 calories, Fat 18 grams fat, SaturatedFat 4 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 13 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 6 grams sugar, Fiber 6 grams fiber, Protein 24 grams protein, Sodium 1.04 milligram of sodium

Tips:

  • Use a combination of ground beef and pork: This gives the meatballs a more complex flavor and texture.
  • Don't overmix the meatball mixture: Overmixing can make the meatballs tough.
  • Chill the meatball mixture for at least 30 minutes before cooking: This helps the meatballs hold their shape.
  • Cook the meatballs in a hot oven: This helps them brown quickly and evenly.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking the meatballs: This can prevent them from cooking evenly.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure the meatballs are cooked through: The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
  • Serve the meatballs with your favorite sauce: Some popular options include gravy, lingonberry jam, or a creamy sauce.

Conclusion:

These healthier Swedish meatballs are a delicious and satisfying meal that can be enjoyed by the whole family. They're made with a combination of ground beef and pork, and they're baked in the oven instead of fried. This makes them a healthier option than traditional Swedish meatballs, and they're still just as flavorful. Serve them with your favorite sauce and enjoy!

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