Ina Garten’s Juicy Swedish Meatballs Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Swedish meatballs represent a culinary comfort that transcends ordinary dinner expectations.

Rich, savory flavors dance across traditional Nordic cuisine with remarkable depth and complexity.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this beloved dish through careful technique and passionate preparation.

Tender meat combines with aromatic spices in a symphony of taste that delights sophisticated palates.

Creamy sauces envelope delicate spheres of seasoned protein, creating an irresistible dining experience.

Each carefully crafted bite tells a story of cultural heritage and kitchen mastery.

These compact flavor bombs promise a meal that transforms an ordinary evening into something extraordinary: bring your appetite and prepare for deliciousness.

Why Ina Garten’s Swedish Meatballs Are Crowd-Pleasers

• Savor Scandinavia: Dive into a classic Swedish meatball recipe that transports your taste buds straight to the cozy kitchens of Sweden with its rich, comforting flavors and luxurious creamy sauce.
• Master Meatball Magic: Discover an easy-to-follow recipe that combines ground beef and pork with aromatic spices, creating perfectly browned, tender meatballs that melt in your mouth with each delightful bite.
• Sauce Supreme: Experience the ultimate comfort food with a velvety, herb-infused sauce that elevates these meatballs from simple to spectacular, blending creamy textures with a hint of warm spices like allspice and nutmeg.
• Quick Culinary Triumph: Whip up a restaurant-quality meal in under 30 minutes, making this recipe a weeknight dinner hero that impresses family and friends with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Ingredients That Make Ina Garten’s Swedish Meatballs Special

• Ground Beef, Ground Pork: Lean meats with rich flavor, choose freshly ground for best texture and taste.

• Panko Breadcrumbs, Eggs: Light breadcrumbs for tender texture, eggs help bind meatballs together.
• Parsley, Grated Onion, Minced Garlic: Fresh herbs and aromatics that add depth and brightness to the meat mixture.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing overall flavor profile.

• Butter, Flour: Classic roux base for creating smooth, rich sauce.
• Beef Stock: Provides deep, savory liquid foundation for the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious creaminess and rounds out sauce flavors.
• Lemon Zest: Brings subtle citrus brightness to cut through richness.
• Allspice, Nutmeg: Warm spices that complement traditional Swedish meatball profile.
• Olive Oil: Used for initial meatball browning, adds subtle flavor and prevents sticking.

Cooking Up Ina Garten’s Swedish Meatballs

Step 1: Prepare Meatball Mixture

• Ground beef
• Ground pork
• Fresh parsley
• Grated onion
• Minced garlic
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Eggs
• Salt
• Pepper

Tenderly shape the mixture into bite-sized meatballs and arrange on a tray.

Step 2: Brown the Meatballs

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place meatballs in batches, using tongs to ensure even browning on all sides. Transfer golden-brown meatballs to a waiting plate.

Step 3: Create Silky Roux

Lower the heat to medium. Melt butter in the same skillet. Whisk flour continuously until the mixture transforms into a light golden color, creating a smooth roux.

Step 4: Develop Luxurious Sauce

• Lemon zest
• Allspice
• Nutmeg
• Salt
• Pepper

Bring to a gentle simmer and let the sauce thicken for 3-4 minutes.

Step 5: Finish with Creamy Goodness

Stir in heavy cream, then return meatballs to the skillet. Cover and simmer on low heat, occasionally stirring, until meatballs are fully cooked and sauce reaches desired consistency (about 10 minutes).

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Plate the meatballs hot, optionally garnishing with additional fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor.

Tips to Elevate Your Swedish Meatballs

• Gentle Mixing Magic: Handle the meat mixture with a light touch, using your fingertips to combine ingredients without compressing, which keeps the meatballs incredibly light and fluffy.
• Perfect Browning Technique: Use a heavy-bottomed skillet and avoid overcrowding to achieve a deep golden-brown crust that locks in incredible flavor and creates a beautiful caramelized exterior.
• Sauce Balancing Trick: Taste the sauce before adding meatballs and adjust with a pinch of salt, a splash of beef broth, or a touch of sour cream to create a perfectly balanced, creamy consistency.
• Freezer-Friendly Hack: Fully cooked meatballs can be frozen for up to 3 months, making them a perfect make-ahead meal that's ready in minutes when you need a quick dinner solution.
• Authentic Serving Tip: Traditionally served over egg noodles or mashed potatoes, these meatballs pair beautifully with a crisp cucumber salad to cut through the rich, creamy sauce.

Storing Swedish Meatballs Like a Pro

• Preservation Prowess: Seal cooked meatballs in vacuum-sealed bags to lock in maximum flavor and prevent freezer burn. This method dramatically extends storage life and maintains taste quality.
• Cool Down Strategy: Allow meatballs to completely cool to room temperature before refrigerating or freezing. Rapid cooling prevents bacterial growth and preserves texture, ensuring delicious leftovers.
• Smart Container Selection: Use glass containers with tight-fitting lids instead of plastic for better odor protection and easier reheating. Glass containers prevent flavor transfer and withstand temperature changes more effectively than traditional storage options.

Flavor Variations for Ina Garten’s Swedish Meatballs

• Mediterranean Marvel: Replace ground pork with ground lamb, add dried mint and oregano to the meatball mixture. Swap beef stock for chicken stock and incorporate crumbled feta cheese into the sauce for a Greek-inspired version.
• Spicy Sensation: Mix ground beef with ground turkey, add red pepper flakes and smoked paprika to the meatball mixture. Create a spicier sauce by incorporating sriracha and cayenne pepper, giving the dish a bold kick.
• Herbal Harmony: Use a blend of ground beef and ground chicken, mix in fresh dill and chives. Replace allspice with thyme and rosemary, creating a lighter, herb-forward Swedish meatball experience with a delicate flavor profile.
• Nordic Fusion: Incorporate ground elk or venison with the beef, add juniper berries to the meatball mixture. Use lingonberry jam instead of cream in the sauce, bringing an authentic Scandinavian touch to the traditional recipe.

The Final Scoop on Ina Garten’s Swedish Meatballs

Swedish meatballs embody culinary comfort with rich, complex flavors inherited from generations of Scandinavian home cooks.

Sophisticated yet approachable, these delicate spheres of seasoned meat provide a masterful blend of tradition and modern gastronomy.

Classic techniques merge seamlessly with premium ingredients to create an unforgettable dining experience.

Delicate spices like nutmeg and allspice elevate the dish beyond ordinary protein preparations.

Nordic culinary heritage shines through each carefully crafted meatball, inviting diners into a world of nuanced flavors.

When readers crave an authentic, heartwarming meal that whispers stories of Swedish kitchens, these meatballs promise pure culinary magic – so snap a photo, share the recipe, and let others savor this delectable journey through Scandinavian cuisine.

Chinese Beef And Onion Stir Fry Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sizzling Chinese beef and onion stir fry delivers a flavor-packed journey through authentic Asian cuisine. Tender strips of marinated beef dance with caramelized onions, creating a quick, irresistible meal that brings restaurant-quality excitement directly to your kitchen.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 300 grams (10.6 ounces) sirloin steak
• 1 stalk green onion, cut into 2-inch pieces

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 0.5 white onion (or yellow onion), thinly sliced
• 4 to 5 slices ginger
• 3 cloves garlic, minced or thinly sliced

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
• 0.5 tablespoon Shaoxing cooking wine (or dry sherry/rice wine)
• 0.5 tablespoon Shaoxing cooking wine (or rice wine)
• 0.25 teaspoon dark soy sauce (for color; substitute with regular if necessary)
• 1.5 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 0.5 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water
• 0.5 cup water for the sauce

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Slice the onion into delicate, translucent ribbons. Mince the garlic with precision and julienne the ginger. Chop green onions into 2-inch diagonal segments.
2. Carefully slice the beef against the grain into paper-thin strips. Create a marinade combining soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, water, and sesame oil. Immerse beef in this liquid for 15 minutes, then dust with cornstarch mixed with a touch of vegetable oil.
3. Craft the sauce by whisking soy sauce with cornstarch until silky. Incorporate sugar, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, Shaoxing wine, dark soy sauce, and water.
4. Ignite a wok with oil over intense heat. Sear the marinated beef for 2-3 minutes until barely cooked, then transfer to a holding plate.
5. In the same wok, quickly sauté ginger for 30 seconds. Add garlic and onions, stirring vigorously until they become translucent and fragrant. Pour the prepared sauce, allowing it to bubble and thicken.
6. Reintroduce the beef and green onions to the wok, tossing swiftly to ensure even coating and heating. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until everything is piping hot and glistening.
7. Plate the stir fry immediately alongside steamed jasmine rice, garnishing with extra green onion snippets if desired.

Notes

• Marinate beef slices in a blend of soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and sesame oil for maximum flavor infusion.
• Slice onions, garlic, and ginger with precision to ensure even cooking and balanced texture.
• Coat beef with cornstarch before searing to create a crispy exterior that locks in juicy tenderness.
• Develop a complex sauce using multiple Asian condiments for depth and richness.
• Quickly stir-fry ingredients on high heat to maintain their vibrant colors and fresh taste.
• Serve hot over steamed rice for a complete and satisfying meal that brings restaurant-quality flavors home.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 370 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 820 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg