No dish is more typically Swedish than meatballs. Learn more about the meatball phenomenon and where to get the best Swedish meatballs in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö.
Meatballs are as quintessentially Swedish as it gets. In their most traditional form Swedish meatballs (köttbullar) are made of ground pork and beef, cream, egg and onion, and are served with creamy mashed potatoes, a thick, brown gravy, lingonberry jam and pickled cucumber. The latter adds bitter sweetness as a perfect complement to the savoury meatball.
While this style of meatballs may be hearty, filling and delightfully decadent, modern chefs are redefining Swedish comfort food, or husmanskost as it is better known in Sweden, making it lighter and more healthy. Restaurant Tradition in Stockholm’s Old Town, has famously removed the lactose from the recipe. Another chef who is creating more modern, less heavy versions of the Swedish classics is Fredrik Eriksson at Långbro Värdshus outside Stockholm.
If you ask a Swede where to get the best meatballs, the answer will probably be his or her grandmother’s house. If you don’t have a Swedish grandma of your own, you can either follow this meatball recipe or pay a visit to one of the many respectable restaurants around the country. The following are among the best restaurants serving Swedish meatballs in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö:
Meatballs for the People is a restaurant in Stockholm aiming to serve the worlds best meatballs.
Sweden has become globally renowned for its delicious meatballs. They are traditionally served in a brown sauce, with mashed potato and lingonberry jam on the side.
Best Gothenburg restaurant for meatballs:
Café Du Nord, also known as Köttbullekällaren (The Meatball Cellar), is known for its traditional and giant meatballs. The restaurant opened in 1875 and its meatball recipe, complete with homemade mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam, is just as old. Served in three different sizes, it may not be the healthiest option on the menu, but what does it matter when they taste so good?
Best Swedish meatballs in Stockholm:
For some unique takes on the classic Swedish meatball, check out Meatballs for the People in trendy Södermalm. The city’s first “meatball boutique” serves up 12 different varieties of organic meatballs, ranging from the classics, to chicken, moose, boar, lamb, reindeer, and vegetable. All the meatballs are handmade from organic, locally sourced produce, and are a sustainable treat for the taste buds.
ATTEMPTING THE MEATBALL CHALLENGE AT SWEDEN’S FAMOUS FOOD CHALLENGE RESTAURANT | BeardMeatsFood
FAQ
Why do Swedish eat meatballs with jam?
What do Swedish people eat with meatballs?
What jam does Ikea serve with Swedish meatballs?
How are Swedish meatballs different from American meatballs?
Can you eat Swedish meatballs with mashed potatoes?
If you can’t find it, you can substitute it with raspberry jam or red currant jelly. The American version of Swedish meatballs is served with a creamy gravy. For a complete main course, serve the meatballs over mashed potatoes, mashed cauliflower, egg noodles or zucchini noodles, or with roasted potatoes. Yes, absolutely!
What to eat with Swedish meatballs?
The meatballs are great served over mashed potatoes or egg noodles for a main course or served as individual appetizers with a Swedish meatball sauce. And that sauce is heavenly – you can’t forget about that creamy and delicious gravy that these meatballs are smothered in.
Are Swedish meatballs a good family meal?
Swedish Meatballs (Svenska Köttbullar with Lingonberries) is a delicious classic meal and a comfort food favorite for the whole family!! If you love great ground beef recipes, be sure to try my Ground Beef Stroganoff and Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf too! They’re both wonderfully easy family dinners to make!
Are meatballs made in Sweden?
Even in Sweden, these meatballs (aka Köttbullar med gräddsås – or, meatballs with cream sauce) are made with varying recipes anywhere you go. However, there are a few things that are a common theme among Mom’s best meatball recipes. A blend of both pork and beef is used for the ‘meat’ in Swedish meatballs. I only used beef the day of my video.