Get ready to transform your kitchen into a Scandinavian culinary paradise with these irresistible slow cooker Swedish meatballs! Imagine tender, perfectly seasoned meatballs swimming in a creamy, rich sauce that will make your taste buds dance with joy. This foolproof recipe takes all the complexity out of traditional Swedish cooking and brings restaurant-quality comfort food directly to your dinner table with minimal effort. Whether you're looking to impress your family or craving a hearty meal that practically cooks itself, these Swedish meatballs are about to become your new go-to recipe!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 4 hrs
Total Time: 4 hrs 20 mins
Cuisine: Swedish
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup of chopped parsley
- 1 egg
- 1 cup of beef broth
- 1 cup of sour cream
- 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, and egg. Mix thoroughly using your hands until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Shape the meat mixture into uniform meatballs, approximately 1-
- 5 inches in diameter. Aim to create around 20-24 meatballs.
- Lightly spray the inside of your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Gently place the formed meatballs into the slow cooker, ensuring they are spread evenly across the bottom.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Pour this liquid mixture over the meatballs in the slow cooker.
- Cover the slow cooker and set to low heat. Cook for
- 5 to 4 hours, allowing the meatballs to become tender and fully cooked.
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in the sour cream to create a rich, creamy sauce. Gently fold the sour cream into the cooking liquid to prevent curdling.
- Check the internal temperature of the meatballs to ensure they have reached 160°F (71°C), indicating they are fully cooked.
- Serve hot, garnished with additional chopped parsley if desired. Recommended to pair with egg noodles or mashed potatoes.
Tips
- For the most tender meatballs, avoid overmixing the meat mixture. Gently combine ingredients just until they're incorporated.
- Use a cookie scoop or wet hands to create uniform meatball sizes, ensuring even cooking.
- To prevent a greasy texture, use lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10 lean-to-fat ratio).
- Don't skip the sour cream addition at the end - it's the secret to that luxurious, authentic Swedish meatball sauce.
- If the sauce seems too thin, you can create a quick cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons cold water) and stir it in during the last 30 minutes of cooking to thicken.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the meatball mixture - it's a traditional Swedish touch!
- Always check the internal temperature of meatballs to ensure they're fully cooked (160°F).
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 20g
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 85mg
