Crock Pot Swedish Meatballs

Succulent, tender, and bursting with savory goodness, these Crock Pot Swedish Meatballs are the ultimate comfort food! Imagine juicy meatballs cooked in a creamy gravy, delicately seasoned with a fusion of nutmeg, allspice, and hints of garlic and onion that dance on your palate, creating flavors that are nothing short of amazing! This delicious meal is perfect with 

If you love a good slow cooker recipe, try my slow cooker chicken enchiladas and slow cooker BBQ pulled pork!

One of my favorite things to make on busy weeknights are easy slow cooker recipes! I can prep it in the morning and have a delicious dinner that the whole family will love on the table by supper! I've been making this crock pot swedish meatballs recipe for the past month and every time, my hubby and son both devour it in minutes (to my delight)! 

The meatballs are shaped into bite-sized balls and gently seared to golden perfection, sealing in their juiciness and intensifying their flavor. Then they're slow cooked in a rich, velvety sauce that that simply melts in your mouth.

Serve atop a bed of buttery mashed potatoes or lingonberry sauce (or cranberry sauce if you can't find it at your local grocery store).

As you savor each bite, you'll experience the warmth and love that goes into crafting these timeless delicacies. 

What are Swedish Meatballs?

Swedish meatballs are a traditional Swedish dish made from a mixture of ground meats, typically a combination of beef and pork. They are seasoned with various herbs and warm spices, and often accompanied by a creamy sauce. Traditional Swedish meatballs are typically seasoned with salt, black pepper, allspice, and nutmeg. These spices give these delicious meatballs their distinctive flavor profile.

They're cooked in a rich and creamy sauce, typically made from a combination of beef broth, cream, and sometimes sour cream. Lingonberry jam or lingonberry sauce is a traditional accompaniment to Swedish meatballs, providing a sweet and tart contrast to the savory flavors.

Ingredients and Substitutions

​(Exact amounts in the recipe card)

Homemade Meatballs 

• Ground Beef - I used 80/20 ground beef, it has the best flavor (in my humble opinion). You can also substitute a ½ lb of the ground beef and use ground pork for added flavor.
• Buttermilk - the acid in buttermilk tenderizes the meat to make nice and tender meatballs that melt in your mouth. You can use regular milk if that's what you have on hand. 
• Bread Crumbs 
• Minced Garlic 
• Fresh Parsley
• Seasonings:  onion powder, allspice, nutmeg, black pepper, and kosher salt.

Savory Sauce

• Half and Half - if you don't have half and half, you can use ¾ cup of milk and ¼ cup of heavy cream. Mix it together and you've got half and half!
• Worcestershire sauce - this adds so much savory flavor to the creamy sauce. Soy sauce or steak sauce are great substitutes for worcestershire sauce.
• Dijon Mustard - 
• Bouillon Cube - this imparts a nice rich flavor to the sauce as it cooks in the slow cooker.
• Beef Broth
• Cornstarch 

How to make Crock Pot Swedish Meatballs 

• Set oven to the broil setting. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
• In a large bowl, whisk together all of the gravy ingredients except the beef bouillon cube - half and half, cornstarch, dijon mustard, worcestershire sauce, beef broth, and thyme. Set aside. (Image #1)

• In a small bowl, mix together whisk together an egg and buttermilk. In a large mixing bowl, add ground beef, breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley, onion powder, allspice, nutmeg, black pepper, and salt. Mix together and then add egg/buttermilk mixture. Continue to mix together until all ingredients are incorporated. (Image #2)

• Spoon out 3 tbsps of the meat mixture and roll into a meatball. Repeat until ground beef is used up. Place meatballs onto the prepared baking sheet and broil on the top oven rack for 6 minutes. (Image #3)

• Place meatballs in a slow cooker in a single layer. Pour gravy mixture on top and add the beef bouillon cube, sliced onions, and mushrooms. Cook on low heat for 6-8 hours, stirring occasionally. (Image #4)

• Serve with mashed potatoes or noodles.

What to serve with Swedish Meatballs 

This is a great recipe to serve with a multitude of sides! My favorites are: 

• Green Beans 
• Garlic Mashed Potatoes 
• Cranberry Raspberry Sauce 
• Side Salad
• Buttery Dinner Rolls
• Garlic Butter Noodles

Storing Leftovers, Reheating, and Making Ahead

Storing Leftovers: store your leftover swedish meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 

Reheating: ​when you're ready to reheat, simply microwave until warm. 

Making ahead: this easy recipe can be made up to 2 days in advance. Prepare as instructed and store in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve. 

More Easy Dinner Recipes

check out my previous recipe

Broccoli Pesto Noodles with Sausage