This Swedish meatball recipe is a step up from the well-known midwestern dish. Simple and delicious spiced Swedish meatballs from scratch bring that classic combo of sweet and savory flavor with hints of cinnamon and caramelized onion for a unique experience on your palate.
One of my favorite things about Scandinavian baking in particular is their use of exotic spices- cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, ginger. Why not add some of these to savory recipes such as meatballs? Those little hints of cinnamon and nutmeg really bring out the savoriness of the pork and onions and combined, create a heavenly experience in your mouth!
Steps to make Simple and Delicious Spiced Swedish Meatballs
First
I highly recommend caramelizing your onions. This is not totally necessary but will create a deeper flavor than just finely chopped raw onions.
Caramelizing brings out the sweetness in the onion, pairing oh so well with the cinnamon and nutmeg. If you’re not familiar with caramelizing or in a time crunch you can use raw onions but make sure to chop them very fine, about the size of a grain of rice or smaller. If they are any bigger is gets difficult to form the meatballs into balls due to their inability to stick together because of big onion chunks.
Second
Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.
I know it may not be super appealing, but the best way to mix ingredients for meatballs is by using your hands. (You’ll want to take off jewelry for this) Of course, you can use a spoon too, though a sure way to get everything properly combined requires a bit of mashing with that egg in there.
Third
Make sure your ingredients are totally combined and evenly distributed. That egg white can be stubborn.
Our kids love to help with this step as well as the next (forming them into balls and putting them on a baking sheet). It’s a great way to get them involved in the kitchen. Little helpers might need assistance in making the meatballs uniform. We’ve learned that letting children help in preparing a meal is a wonderful way to see them light up and be proud of themselves for contributing to something for the whole family. It is so sweet and rewarding to see the smile on their face when we’re sitting at the supper table complimenting their food.
Fourth
Form into balls.
Now that your ingredients are all incorporated it’s time to form them into balls. The best sized meatball is one that is two bites worth- just big enough to cut in half. These will be about a one-inch sphere give or take. If you have a small ice cream scoop that would be ideal. As I did not, a tablespoon worked just fine too- just a little more rustic.
Fifth
Bake your meatballs.
Spiced Swedish Meatballs can either be fried or baked depending on your preference. I do highly recommend you fry them! In a skillet they get such a lovely crisp on both sides that can’t be achieved by baking in an oven. If using a skillet, cook them either in bacon grease, butter, coconut oil, or avocado oil. Fry on a medium temperature until baked half through and then flip. They usually need about 5-7minutes on each side but this will depend on your stove. You can use a meat thermometer to check if done (165F) or you can cut a meatball in half to make sure there is no pink in the middle.
If you bake the spiced Swedish meatballs in an oven they will still be absolutely delicious. This option is the preference of many due to less fats. Bake the meatballs at 350F for about 25min or until interior temp is 165F.
Finally your Spiced Swedish Meatballs are done!
You’ve just made spiced Swedish meatballs, from scratch! Now it’s time to sit down and enjoy your meal. These can pair well with a number of things. Some suggestions are:
- buttery and creamy mashed potatoes
- creamy dill cucumber salad
- beet salad
- roasted veggies
- butternut squash
- steamed red cabbage and apples
- green beans
- peas
- boiled new potatoes with butter and herbs
- sourdough bread
You can also make these into an appetizer and serve with toothpicks. Maybe include a creamy garlic and herb dip too!
Simple and Delicious Spiced Swedish Meatballs
Classic pork meatballs spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg for a delectable sweet and savory combination
Ingredients
- 2 lb. Ground pork- thawed
- 1 onion- finely minced and caramelized
- 1 Cup Oatmeal
- 1/4 tsp. Nutmeg
- 1 tsp. Cinnamon
- 1 tsp. Black Pepper
- 2 tsp. Salt
- 1/4 C. Heavy Whipping Cream
- 1/4 C. Milk
- 1 Egg
- Butter, Bacon grease, Avacado oil, or Coconut oil for frying
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a big bowl and mix until fully incorporated (see note)
- Form the mixture into about 1 inch spheres. (preheat oven if baking) (Preheat oil on low in a skillet if frying)
- If baking, place meatballs on a baking sheet and put into oven
- bake at 350F for about 25 min. or until meatballs have an interior temp. of 165F or above
- If frying in a pan, place meatballs in a preheated and oiled skillet. Be careful! The oil will be hot!
- Cook meatballs on medium heat for about 7 min. on each side or until the interior temp. is 165F or above.
Notes
1) Mixing works best with your hands for this recipe
2) If frying, note that you'll need to keep adding oil if you're making multiple batches of meatballs
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