Swedish Meatball Soup
Swedish Meatball Soup is a comforting and hearty dish featuring tender homemade meatballs, savory beef broth, and fresh vegetables like carrots and potatoes. This easy-to-make recipe offers a perfect balance of protein and veggies, topped with bright herbs and optional cream for a velvety finish. Ideal for cozy family dinners, it’s both flavorful and customizable to suit various dietary preferences.
- Author: Nina
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Swedish
- Diet: Gluten Free (with ingredient substitutions)
Meatballs
- 250g ground beef
- 250g ground pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour for gluten-free)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Soup Base and Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced (or cauliflower florets/turnips for low carb)
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Optional
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or sour cream
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef and pork with breadcrumbs, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until all ingredients are well combined but avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.
- Shape and Brown the Meatballs: Form small, bite-sized meatballs using your hands or a spoon. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the meatballs on all sides, making sure they develop a golden crust while remaining juicy inside.
- Make the Broth Base: In a large pot, sauté additional onions and garlic until translucent. Add the carrots, potatoes, and beef broth, bringing it to a gentle simmer for about 10 minutes to let the flavors meld and the vegetables soften.
- Add Meatballs and Simmer: Carefully add the browned meatballs to the simmering broth. Let the soup cook for another 15-20 minutes, ensuring the meatballs cook through and the vegetables are tender.
- Finish with Fresh Herbs and Cream: Stir in chopped fresh dill and parsley just before serving. For a creamy finish, mix in heavy cream or a dollop of sour cream to enhance the richness and smoothness of the soup.
Notes
- Use room temperature meat to help meatballs bind better and cook evenly.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when browning meatballs to achieve a perfect crust.
- Simmer gently to maintain tender meatballs and clear broth.
- Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or a pinch of nutmeg for a traditional Swedish touch.
- Add fresh herbs at the end to preserve their bright flavor and color.
- Store leftovers refrigerated up to 3 days; freeze up to 3 months without cream.
- Reheat gently on low heat; add cream and herbs after warming.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Swedish Meatball Soup, meatball soup, Swedish cuisine, comforting soup, easy dinner, homemade meatballs