Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs
Sweedish Meatballs in the slow cooker is comfort food at its finest as it combines ground beef with breadcrumbs and spices cooked in the most delicious creamy gravy sauce. These slow cooker Swedish meatballs are moist and flavorful served over egg noodles.
Slow Cooker Sweedish meatballs were one of my favorite dishes as I was growing up. I remember coming into the kitchen and getting so excited to see my mom making meatballs. I would always want to help her roll the meat mixture into balls. Of course, she would always let me.
To this day every time I eat these slow cooker meatballs, it reminds me of home. It is the ultimate comfort classic to me just like chicken pot pie casserole and Sloppy Joes.
So often when we think about meatballs we think of hours spent slaving in the kitchen, but thanks to our slow cooker we can enjoy these tasty, flavorful moist meatballs even on the busiest days.
How to make Swedish meatballs
Step 1: Combine ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, breadcrumbs, eggs, allspice (if using,) onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Mix to combine.
Step 2: Take a 1 Tablespoon scoop of your meat mixture and form it into a ball. Using a 1 Tablespoon cookie scoop works great for this to ensure your meatballs are all the same size.
Step 3: Roll your meat mixture into a ball with your hands.
Step 4: Add 1 Tablespoon of olive oil to a skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 5: Once your pan is hot add your meatballs allowing them to brown on all sides. You do not need to cook your meatballs all the way through because they will cook in the slow cooker.
Step 6: Once browned add meatballs to your slow cooker.
Step 7: In your skillet add butter and let it melt. Whisk in flour and create a rue. Whisk for about 2 minutes.
Step 8: Add beef broth and continue to which until the sauce thickens.
Step 9: Remove from heat. Stir in sour cream until it is well blended.
Step 10: Pour over meatballs in the slow cooker.
Step 11: Cook on low for 4 hours or 2 hours on high.
Step 12: Gently stir the meatballs in the gravy. Sprinkle with parsley if desired and serve over egg noodles or mashed potatoes.
Tips Tricks and FAQ
- Using the cookie scoop is a lifesaver for making your Swedish meatballs. This allows your meatballs to all be the same size and cook evenly.
- This recipe calls for ground beef, but you can use other grounds meats as well. It will change the flavor a bit but they will still taste delicious. Try ground turkey or ground pork. Or mix ground pork with your ground beef.
Storage
If you have leftover meatballs you will want to make sure they are completely cool prior to storing. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Can I make these ahead of time?
You can make these ahead of time, which makes these slow cooker meatballs even easier! Just mix your meat mixture and then brown like normal in your skillet.
Once browned, lay them on a tray lined with parchment paper and let them cool.
Then place them flat in the freezer ensuring they are not touching.
After they are frozen, you can place them in a freezer bag and store for up to 3 months.
When you are ready to make this recipe, pull out the desired amount of meatballs and place them in your slow cooker, make your sauce, and pour over your meatballs.
If you are using frozen meatballs you will need to cook them longer in your slow cooker.
What is different about Sweedish meatballs?
The difference between Swedish meatballs and Italian meatballs really comes down to the sauce they are served with. Sweedish meatballs are cooked with a thicker gravy type sauce that usually combines beef broth and sour cream whereas Italian meatballs have the typical red sauce.
Can I bake these in the oven?
You can absolutely bake these in the oven if you prefer! Line a cookie sheet with foil and preheat your over to 400 degrees. Place your raw meatballs on the tray and bake for about 20 minutes (until the internal temperature is 160 degrees).
Once your meatballs are almost done cooking, prepare your sauce in your skillet by adding your butter and flour. Then add your broth. Remove from heat and mix in your sour cream. Once your meatballs are done mix them gently in the sauce and then serve.
What can I serve with meatballs?
Most often these slow cooker meatballs are served over mashed potatoes, rice or noodles.
If you love slow cooker recipes, try these!
Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs
Sweedish Meatballs in the slow cooker is comfort food at its finest as it combines ground beef with breadcrumbs and spices cooked in the most delicious creamy gravy sauce. These meatballs are moist and flavorful served over egg noodles.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice, optional (I did not use it.)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Combine ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, breadcrumbs, eggs, allspice (if using,) onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Mix to combine.
- Take a 1 Tablespoon scoop of your meat mixture and form it into a ball. Using a 1 Tablespoon cookie scoop works great for this to ensure your meatballs are all the same size.
- Roll your meat mixture into a ball with your hands.
- Add 1 Tablespoon of olive oil to a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Once your pan is hot add your meatballs allowing them to brown on all sides. You do not need to cook your meatballs all the way through because they will cook in the slow cooker.
- Once browned add meatballs to your slow cooker.
- In your skillet add butter and let it melt. Whisk in flour and create a rue. Whisk for about 2 minutes.
- Add beef broth and continue to which until the sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat. Stir in sour cream until it is well blended.
- Pour over meatballs in the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 4 hours or 2 hours on high.
- Gently stir the meatballs in the gravy. Sprinkle with parsley if desired and serve over egg noodles or mashed potatoes.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 540Total Fat: 33gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 217mgSodium: 499mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 48g
I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!
