If you grew up in the upper Midwest like I did, you might have nostalgia for Swedish meatballs. Here is a foolproof recipe for easy and flavorful Swedish meatballs that taste fantastic with gravy or lingonberries on the side! 

I grew up spending much time in Northern Wisconsin, where a world-famous Swedish restaurant serves the best meatballs.  It has taken me months of testing to get this meatball recipe for you! Swedish meatballs are still a regional favorite in home kitchens and restaurants throughout the Midwest, especially in Minnesota and Wisconsin.   Many families have passed down their recipes, often slightly different from traditional Swedish versions. I will include oven-baked instructions and show you how to make these irresistible meatballs in your Instant Pot.

This recipe will make enough meatballs for two dinners.  I recommend freezing 1/2 of the meatballs.  You can quickly reheat them for a fast weeknight dinner. Reheat the frozen meatballs by sauting them in a saucepan with a tablespoon of butter and gravy.

Meatball Ingredients

Makes 40 meatballs

2 pounds of ground beef

1 pound ground pork

12 saltine crackers, softened in water (4 crackers per pound of meat)

2 large eggs

2 packages Lipton onion soup mix 

2 ¼ tablespoons Pleasoning Seasoning 

⅜ teaspoon ground black pepper (⅛ teaspoon per pound of meat)

Pleasoning Seasoning Substitute (for 2 ¼ tablespoons):

• 2 ¼ teaspoons salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
• ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¾ teaspoon onion powder
• ⅜ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ⅜ teaspoon ground white pepper
• Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
• Pinch of celery salt (about ⅛ teaspoon)

Gravy

I used McCormick Swedish meatball gravy mix.  I made this on the stove and sauteed meatballs in the gravy before serving them.

Equipment

Mixing Bowl 

Sheet Pan or Instant Pot/ Pressure Cooker

Rubber Spatula 

Instructions:

1. Soak the Crackers: Place the soda crackers in a bowl and cover them with water. Let them soak until softened, then mash them with a fork.
2. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, softened crackers, eggs, onion soup mix, Pleasoning Seasoning (or substitute), and black pepper.
3. Mix Well: Mix the ingredients thoroughly until well combined.  You can use your hands or a spoon.
4. Form Meatballs:  Form the mixture into meatballs of your desired size.  You’ll likely get quite a few meatballs for this amount of meat. You can adjust the size depending on how you’d like to serve them.
5. Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F  Place meatballs on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until cooked
6. Simmering in Sauce:  You can cook the meatballs directly in your favorite sauce before serving them.

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Swedish Meatballs

If you grew up in the upper Midwest like I did, you might have nostalgia for Swedish meatballs. Here is a foolproof recipe for easy and flavorful Swedish meatballs that taste fantastic with gravy or lingonberries on the side! 

Course dinner

Cuisine American, Swedish

Keyword Swedish Meatballs

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Servings 40 meatballs

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 pound ground pork
• 12 saltine crackers softened in water
• 2 packets Lipton Onion Soup Mix
• 2 large eggs
• 2 1/4 tbsp Pleasing Seasoning

Pleasing Seasoning

• 2.25 teaspoons salt
• 1.5 teaspoons paprika
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon celery salt

Instructions

1. Soak the Crackers: Place the soda crackers in a bowl and cover them with water. Let them soak until softened, then mash them with a fork.

2. Preheat Oven to 375 F

3. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, softened crackers, eggs, onion soup mix, Pleasoning Seasoning (or substitute), and black pepper.

4. Mix Well: Mix the ingredients thoroughly until well combined.  You can use your hands or a spoon. 

5. Form Meatballs:  Form the mixture into meatballs of your desired size.  You'll likely get quite a few meatballs for this amount of meat. You can adjust the size depending on how you'd like to serve them.

6. Bake at 375 for 25 minutes. You can choose to simmer them in your favorite white gravy before serving them.

Instant Pot Directions

1. Add Water: Pour about 1 cup of water into the Instant Pot.

2. Place Trivet: Place a trivet or steamer basket in the Instant Pot.

3. Arrange Meatballs: Arrange the meatballs on the trivet, ensuring they're not submerged in the water. 

4. Pressure Cook: Seal the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 5-7 minutes.

5. Natural Pressure Release: Allow a natural pressure release for 5-10 minutes, then carefully release any remaining pressure.

6. Browning (Optional): If desired, brown the meatballs in a skillet with oil after cooking.

Important Notes:

• Crackers: Ensure the crackers are well softened before adding them to the meat mixture. This helps bind the meatballs.
• Cooking Time: The cooking time will depend on the size of your meatballs and the cooking method you choose.  Make sure the meatballs are cooked through before serving.  A meat thermometer should register 160°F  in the center.

Instant Pot Instructions

1. Add Water: Pour about 1 cup of water into the Instant Pot.
2. Place Trivet: Place a trivet or steamer basket in the Instant Pot.
3. Arrange Meatballs: Arrange the meatballs on the trivet, ensuring they’re not submerged in the water.
4. Pressure Cook: Seal the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 5-7 minutes.
5. Natural Pressure Release: Allow a natural pressure release for 5-10 minutes, then carefully release any remaining pressure.
6. Browning (Optional): If desired, brown the meatballs in a skillet with oil after cooking.

Tips on cooking meatballs in the Instant Pot. 

• Don’t Overcrowd:  Don’t overcrowd the Instant Pot. This ensures even cooking.  You might need to cook in batches.
• Cooking Time: The cooking times are approximate and may vary slightly depending on the size of your meatballs and Instant Pot.  The meatballs should reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
• Texture:  Meatballs cooked in the Instant Pot will be tender and moist. They won’t have the same browned exterior as pan-fried or baked meatballs unless you brown them afterward.
• Freezing: You can freeze the cooked meatballs.  Let them cool completely before freezing in an airtight container or freezer bag.

Swedish meatballs can be served as an appetizer alongside lingonberries, egg noodles, and mashed potatoes, or you can make a Swedish meatball sandwich with them!

My family has Swedish meatballs during the holiday season, but they are also great to bring to a potluck, birthday party, or any day of the week!

Did you try this delicious Swedish meatball recipe?  Does this remind you of the Swedish meatballs your mom or grandma used to make?  Did you make Instant Pot Swedish meatballs?  I would love to hear how this recipe worked out for you!  Please comment below this blog post or tag me on social media and let me know how they turned out!  You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.