Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs

Hello there from Cooking Frog; we’re delighted to share this nice recipe for cooking Swedish meatballs with you. To make these juicy slow cooker meatballs, there are three key factors to know.

Choosing the right mixture of meat, cooking over a long period under controlled heat, and adding panade. I have experimented a lot of times with this meal to get the result so that every time you make them, you have the right balance of texture and taste.

The slow cooker is the perfect choice for braising meatballs for an extended period. It should never go above the boiling point to prevent them from overcooking. With a slow cooker, the heating will be consistent enough.

Meatballs are simmered in a light and thickened beef broth, and to provide a rich taste, the cream is added just at the end of cooking. It is a meal that requires almost no effort to make.

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

• 1 tsp garlic, minced

• 2 tsp kosher salt, divided

• 1 cup heavy cream, divided

• 1 large egg

• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs

• 8 oz ground pork

• 1 yellow onion, grated

• ¼ tsp nutmeg

• Pinch of allspice

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• 8 oz ground beef

• 1 tbsp olive oil

For the Gravy

• 3 tbsp butter

• 3 tbsp flour

• 3 cups unsalted beef broth

• Juice of ½ lemon

• 1 tbsp chopped parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. Prepare the Panade

• In a medium bowl, whisk together ¼ cup of heavy cream and the egg.

• Stir in the panko breadcrumbs and let sit for a few minutes until slightly softened.

2. Make the Meatball Mixture

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, garlic, grated onion, nutmeg, allspice, black pepper, and 1 tsp of salt.

• Use your hands to mix until just combined (about 1 minute).

• Add the panade and mix again until smooth.

• Gently fold in the ground beef, mixing just until incorporated — do not overmix to keep the meatballs tender.

3. Shape the Meatballs

• Form the mixture into 18 small meatballs (about 1 tablespoon each) and set aside on a plate.

4. Brown the Meatballs

• Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

• Add the meatballs in batches and cook for 5–6 minutes, turning to brown all sides.

• Remove the meatballs and set aside. They will finish cooking in the sauce.

5. Make the Gravy

• In the same skillet, melt butter and whisk in flour. Cook for 30–40 seconds to make a light roux.

• Slowly whisk in the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.

• Bring to a simmer and cook until the gravy thickens slightly (about 1 minute).

• Season with a pinch of salt and pepper if needed.

6. Slow Cook

• Transfer the sauce and browned meatballs to the slow cooker.

• Cover and cook on high for 1½–2 hours or low for 4–5 hours.

7. Finish the Gravy

• Just before serving, stir the remaining ¾ cup heavy cream with the lemon juice and pour it into the sauce. Stir gently until combined.

• Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.

8. Serve

• Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice.

Timing

• Prep Time: 20 minutes

• Cook Time: 2 hours (slow cooker on high)

• Total Time: ~2 hours 20 minutes

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