Swedish-Inspired Cranberry Meatballs
Swedish-Inspired Cranberry Meatballs
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 pound ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh cranberries, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1 egg, large
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 2 tablespoons butter
For the Gravy
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef stock, or vegetable stock
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
For the Cranberry Sauce
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
For Serving
- 4 cups mashed potatoes, prepared
- 1 pound broccolini, steamed
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- 1/2 lemon, for fresh juice, as needed
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and milk. Let stand for 5 minutes to allow the breadcrumbs to soak up the milk.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Add the ground beef, ground pork, finely chopped yellow onion, chopped fresh cranberries, allspice, egg, salt, and black pepper to the bowl with the soaked breadcrumbs. Mix thoroughly with your hands until all ingredients are well combined, but be careful not to overmix.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
Form the Meatballs: Roll the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs. You should get approximately 20-24 meatballs.
⏱️ 10 min
- 4
Brown the Meatballs: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Brown the meatballs on all sides until nicely caramelized. Remove the browned meatballs from the skillet and set aside on a plate, leaving any drippings in the pan.
⏱️ 10 min
- 5
Make the Gravy: Reduce the heat to medium. Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the same skillet. Once melted, sprinkle in the all-purpose flour and whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes to create a roux. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Gradually whisk in the beef stock, a little at a time, until smooth and no lumps remain. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then stir in the heavy cream. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Finish Cooking Meatballs: Return the browned meatballs to the simmering gravy. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the meatballs cook through in the gravy for 10-15 minutes, or until cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F.
⏱️ 15 min
- 8
Prepare the Cranberry Sauce: While the meatballs are simmering, combine the fresh cranberries, granulated sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens. Remove from heat.
⏱️ 10 min
- 9
Plate and Serve: Serve the Swedish-inspired cranberry meatballs hot with a generous scoop of mashed potatoes, a side of steamed broccolini, and a dollop of the homemade cranberry sauce. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, if desired.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Swedish-Inspired Cranberry Meatballs
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 pound ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh cranberries, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1 egg, large
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 2 tablespoons butter
For the Gravy
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef stock, or vegetable stock
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
For the Cranberry Sauce
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
For Serving
- 4 cups mashed potatoes, prepared
- 1 pound broccolini, steamed
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- 1/2 lemon, for fresh juice, as needed
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and milk. Let stand for 5 minutes to allow the breadcrumbs to soak up the milk.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Add the ground beef, ground pork, finely chopped yellow onion, chopped fresh cranberries, allspice, egg, salt, and black pepper to the bowl with the soaked breadcrumbs. Mix thoroughly with your hands until all ingredients are well combined, but be careful not to overmix.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
Form the Meatballs: Roll the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs. You should get approximately 20-24 meatballs.
⏱️ 10 min - 4
Brown the Meatballs: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Brown the meatballs on all sides until nicely caramelized. Remove the browned meatballs from the skillet and set aside on a plate, leaving any drippings in the pan.
⏱️ 10 min - 5
Make the Gravy: Reduce the heat to medium. Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the same skillet. Once melted, sprinkle in the all-purpose flour and whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes to create a roux. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Gradually whisk in the beef stock, a little at a time, until smooth and no lumps remain. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then stir in the heavy cream. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Finish Cooking Meatballs: Return the browned meatballs to the simmering gravy. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the meatballs cook through in the gravy for 10-15 minutes, or until cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F.
⏱️ 15 min - 8
Prepare the Cranberry Sauce: While the meatballs are simmering, combine the fresh cranberries, granulated sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens. Remove from heat.
⏱️ 10 min - 9
Plate and Serve: Serve the Swedish-inspired cranberry meatballs hot with a generous scoop of mashed potatoes, a side of steamed broccolini, and a dollop of the homemade cranberry sauce. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, if desired.
⏱️ 5 min