Swedish Cardamom Meatballs
Swedish Cardamom Meatballs feature tender meatballs infused with warm spices, served in a rich creamy sauce, perfect for comforting family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, soak bread crumbs in milk for 5 minutes.
- Add ground beef, ground pork, eggs, salt, pepper, cardamom, and chopped onions to the bowl.
- Mix well and roll into 1 to 1 1/2-inch meatballs.
- Saute meatballs in 1/4 cup butter for approximately 20 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- In a separate skillet, saute sliced onions with 1/4 cup butter, sugar, and pepper until caramelized, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Remove the meatballs and caramelized onions from the pans and set aside.
- Deglaze both pans with the remaining 1/2 cup butter and beef broth, scraping up browned bits.
- Cook over high heat for 1 minute.
- Transfer the contents of both pans into a large pot.
- Add heavy cream, caramelized onions, gravy maker seasoning, nutmeg, allspice, MSG, cloves, and cinnamon, and bring to a simmer.
- Make a slurry with cornstarch and water.
- Whisk the slurry into the sauce to thicken.
- Add the meatballs back into the sauce and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For extra flavor, consider adding chopped fresh herbs like parsley or dill to the meatball mixture. If you don't have ground pork, turkey can be a lighter substitute. To elevate the dish, try serving it with a dollop of lingonberry jam. Remember to keep the meatballs uniform in size for even cooking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these Swedish Cardamom Meatballs over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes or egg noodles for a comforting meal. They pair wonderfully with lingonberry sauce and steamed green beans. For an added touch, consider a side of homemade French Onion Soup For Four to complement the rich flavors of the meatballs.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm them on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of beef broth or water to maintain moisture. They can also be reheated in the microwave, covered, in 1-2 minute intervals.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Swedish Cardamom Meatballs contains roughly 1979 calories, with 42g protein, 288g carbohydrates, and 80g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (135% of the Daily Value), protein (84% of the Daily Value), and iron (66% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 663mg per serving (29% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the meatballs and sauce a day in advance. Simply cook them according to the recipe, let them cool, then store in the fridge. Reheat gently before serving for the best flavor and texture.
What can I use instead of heavy cream?
If you're looking for a lighter option, you can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a combination of milk and sour cream. Keep in mind that these alternatives may alter the richness of the sauce slightly.
Are there any vegetarian options for this recipe?
Yes! You can substitute the meats with a plant-based ground meat alternative or create a mixture of finely chopped vegetables, lentils, and grains like quinoa. Adjust the seasoning to ensure flavor remains robust in your vegetarian version.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).