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    Home » Round Up » What To Serve with Swedish Meatballs

    What To Serve with Swedish Meatballs

    Published on Oct 10, 2022 Modified: Oct 9, 2022 by Alexandria Drzazgowski.

    Swedish meatballs are a classic, meaty comfort food dish that are perfect for an appetizer or the main course. Read on to find 21 delicious ideas for what to serve with Swedish meatballs!

    Bowl of egg noodles covered in swedish meatballs.
    Swedish Meatballs with Noodles

    Are you the kind of person who thinks about going to Ikea just for the meatballs? There is no denying there is just something so delicious about a meatball covered in smooth, creamy white sauce. 

    It’s a great dish to enjoy in the fall and throughout the winter (really any time of year). It’s a great option for enjoying a cozy meal by yourself or to serve as an appetizer at a big family gathering. 

    Whatever your plan is, if you’re struggling with what to serve as the perfect side dish with those creamy, delicious tender meatballs, I’ve got a few ideas in mind.

    Jump to:
    • FAQs
    • My Favorite Swedish Meatball Recipes
    • Expert Tips
    • What to Serve with Swedish Meatballs
    • Best Recipes to Serve with
    • Pressgurka
    • Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
    • How To Cook Long Grain White Rice in the Instant Pot
    • Easy Baguette
    • Mashed Potates in the Instant Pot
    • Stoemp
    • Air Fryer Asparagus
    • Dinner Rolls from Scratch
    • Fried Tenderstem Broccoli with Garlic and Lemon
    • Roasted Mashed Cauliflower
    • Baked Parmesan Zucchini Sticks
    • Kale Salad with Cranberries
    • Lemon Arugula Salad with Pine Nuts
    • Roasted Butternut Squash Salad
    • Sweet Potato Mash
    • Oven Roasted Brussel Sprouts
    • How To Cook Quinoa
    • Buttered Egg Noodles
    • Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
    • Braised Red Cabbage
    • Easy Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice
    • Lingonberry Jam
    • Other meals + what to serve

    FAQs

    Small pan with swedish meatballs and gravy sitting on a wooden cutting board.
    Delicious homemade swedish meatballs with mushroom cream sauce and egg noodle.
    What is Unique About Swedish Meatballs? 

    Some form of meatball is popular in just about every type of cuisine. In America, we see homemade meatballs most often on top of Italian dishes or a Swedish meatball dish. There are several differences between the two. The most obvious is the sauce they are served in and the warm spices used in the meat to compliment the sauce. 

    Swedish meatballs are served in a creamy sauce, usually made with beef broth, heavy cream and sour cream. The Swedish meatball sauce is the best part (I made something similar in this Danish Frikadeller recipe). The other difference is Swedish meatballs are often slightly smaller than Italian meatballs, which is what makes them a great option for an appetizer.

    Meatballs are called by different names in Sweden (Köttbullar), Danish (Frikadeller), or Norwegian (Kjøttboller) but the recipes are all very similar.

    When are Swedish Meatballs Eaten? 

    Meatballs are a very popular dish in Denmark and Sweden. They are often served as a main course for dinner, as an appetizer before a meal, or on a toasted piece of rye bread for lunch.

    How are Swedish Meatballs Traditionally Served?

    Köttbullar are traditionally served with a thick brown gravy, pickled cucumbers, creamy mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam. Lingonberries are popular in Northern European cuisine but you could substitute cranberries or cranberry sauce.

    How Do You Keep Meatballs From Falling Apart?

    If your meatballs are falling apart during the cooking process, you likely have an imbalance of ingredients. 

    Meatballs are made with bread crumbs and an egg. You don’t want to add too many bread crumbs or egg yolks to your meatball mixture as it will cause it to fall apart. 

    Some recipes call for worcestershire sauce or other liquids. If the recipe you are using calls for these, be careful with the measurements. 

    You could also try coating your meatballs lightly in flour before you add them to your frying pan. This helps hold them together during cooking and helps soak up a little extra liquid from your mixture.

    My final tip is to give your meatballs room in your pan to move slightly while cooking and roll them often to help them keep their shape.

    If you decide to cook your meatballs in the slow cooker or the oven, I recommend taking the time to brown them slightly on the stove top and then move them to the oven to finish. It makes a big difference in the flavor and can help them stay together as well.

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    My Favorite Swedish Meatball Recipes

    • This Swedish meatball recipe is a classic, and so delicious. 
    • If you are looking for a dairy free option, try this one from The Urben Life 
    • Swedish meatballs go great with pasta! Try this pasta bake from Tina’s Chic Corner. 
    • Meatballs are a great slow cooker meal. Try this version from The Magical Slow Cooker 

    Expert Tips

    • When you are making meatballs, make sure you don’t over mix your meat. Use your hands to massage the ground meat mixture just a few times but don’t mix too much or your meat will turn out tough. You could also use a stand mixer, but again, be careful!
    • It’s important to use a combination of beef and ground pork in your Swedish meatball recipe. Using ground beef alone will change the texture and the flavor.
    • You can cook meatballs on the stove top, oven or in the slow cooker but any way you cook them, browning them on the stove top for a few minutes over medium-high heat will really contribute to the flavor of the meatballs and take it to the next level.
    • If your meatballs are taking too long to cook on the stove top, you can finish cooking them in the microwave. The texture may not be exactly the same but it’s a good option to keep in mind.
    • If your gravy is turning out too thin, try adding very small amounts of flour, just a teaspoon at a time (make sure to mix it with a small amount of water first!). Sometimes good gravy just takes time, so be patient with it!
    • If you really enjoy these Swedish dishes, be sure to check out my Swedish Christmas Dishes recommendations – really enjoy these holiday classics!

    What to Serve with Swedish Meatballs

    • Carbs: Mashed potatoes, noodles, basmati rice, boiled potatoes, rolls, garlic butter noodles, roasted red potatoes, egg noodles, rice pilaf
    • Vegetables: roasted sweet potatoes, roasted or steamed broccoli, corn on the cob, asparagus, brussels sprouts, green beans, red cabbage, cauliflower, creamed kale, ratatouille
    • Other sides: green salad, cranberry sauce, lingonberry sauce

    Best Recipes to Serve with

    Pressgurka

    Pressgurka in a small bowl.

    Pressgurka (from Caroline’s Cooking) are a quick-pickled cucumber side that are a classic accompaniment to many dishes, from seafood to roasted meats and particularly Swedish meatballs. Whenever you have them, they are easy to make and have a delicious sweet-sour flavor.

    Read More

    Air Fryer Baby Potatoes

    Air fryer baby potatoes with an orange serving spoon picking up a serving.

    These Air Fryer Baby Potatoes (from Nums the Word) are soft and fluffy on the inside, golden and crispy on the outside, quick to make, and absolutely irresistible. They are the perfect side dish for breakfast lunch or dinner. With just a few ingredients, and a little bit of time, you’ve got the perfect dish for your family today.

    Read More

    How To Cook Long Grain White Rice in the Instant Pot

    Large green serving bowl filled with long grain white rice prepared in the instant pot.
    If you have never made rice in your instant pot you are missing out! It takes just 10 minutes to make perfectly cooked rice to go alongside your lunch or dinner. When you need dinner on the table fast, this Instant Pot Long Grain White Rice is for you!
    Read More

    Easy Baguette

    2 loaves of homemade baguette lying next to one another.

    This quick and easy homemade french baguette recipe (from Simply Scrumptious) is simple to make and the hands on time is fast! It’s beautiful and delicious, crusty on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. 

    Read More

    Mashed Potates in the Instant Pot

    Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
    Mashed Potatoes are a known classic, but making Mashed Potatoes in the Instant Pot is a new way to make this favorite side dish! The potatoes will be ready for mashing in just about 6 minutes, making this old favorite so much easier to make and enjoy!
    Read More

    Stoemp

    Pat of butter melting over Stoemp in a serving bowl with a wooden serving spoon resting in the creamy veggie filled potato mixture.
    Stoemp from Belgium is the epitome of the perfect comfort food. Mashed potatoes are mixed with cream and sauteed vegetables and eaten to experience the taste of a homey and comforting dish.
    Read More

    Air Fryer Asparagus

    A small serving dish of air fryer parmesan asparagus.

    Air Fryer Asparagus (from Simply Scrumptious) is so incredibly delicious. A drizzle of oil, some yummy spices and parmesan, slightly crispy and cooked to perfection. Cooked in a fraction of the time without having to heat up the oven, and producing the perfect texture, you’ll never cook it any other way!

    Read More

    Dinner Rolls from Scratch

    A pan filled with baked dinner rolls made from scratch.

    Homemade bread is always better and these Easy Dinner Rolls From Scratch (from Served from Scratch) are so simple to make that you’ll never want to go back to store-bought again!

    Read More

    Fried Tenderstem Broccoli with Garlic and Lemon

    A black serving bowl of fried tenderstem broccoli with lemon garnishes over the top.

    A healthy and easy tenderstem broccoli side dish (from Somebody Feed Seb) is all you need to elevate your meal to another level! Gently boiled, and then pan-fried broccolini is the best quick way to cook this wonderful vegetable! A versatile recipe that goes with a range of meat, poultry and fish dishes, this is our go-to side dish when we’re looking for a flavoursome and nutritious sidekick that is ready in 10 minutes! 

    Read More

    Roasted Mashed Cauliflower

    A serving bowl of roasted mashed cauliflower with green onions over the top.

    This Roasted Mashed Cauliflower (from The Dizzy Cook) with ricotta cheese and garlic is one of my favorite creamy, low carb side dishes. Perfect with grilled chicken or seafood as a flavorful accompaniment.

    Read More

    Baked Parmesan Zucchini Sticks

    Baked parmesan zucchini sticks.

    Baked Parmesan Zucchini Sticks from (from iFoodReal) are topped with a simple cheese herb mixture and ready in 30 minutes. This simple snack or side dish is big on flavor, low calorie, and ready to be enjoyed plain or with your favorite dip!

    Read More

    Kale Salad with Cranberries

    A bowl with wooden salad tongs of kale salad with cranberries.

    Kale Salad with Cranberries (from A Cedar Spoon) is an easy salad to put together for lunches or a holiday party. This salad features kale, sweet apples, dried cranberries, pecans, goat cheese and a light dressing.

    Read More

    Lemon Arugula Salad with Pine Nuts

    Lemon arugula salad with pine nuts in a bowl.

    Lemon Arugula Salad with Pine Nuts (from A Cedar Spoon) is a quick and easy salad that is peppery, sweet and satisfying. Arugula is tossed with cherry tomatoes, toasted pine nuts and parmesan cheese and finished off with a lemony, olive oil dressing. 

    Read More

    Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

    Salad dressing being poured over a roasted butternut squash salad.

    This roasted butternut squash salad (from Simple Side Dishes) is full of fresh ingredients, is simple to make, and has the most delicious flavors and bright colors.

    Read More

    Sweet Potato Mash

    Sweet potato mash on a plate with a masher propped up on the plate.

    This Irish colcannon inspired sweet potato mash (from Cooked and Loved) comes with sauteed kale, cabbage and garlic, which give it plenty of flavour and lovely crunchy textures. This is a healthy and nutritious sweet potato dish that can be served as a side with pretty much anything. It’s paleo, gluten-free and Whole30-friendly.

    Read More

    Oven Roasted Brussel Sprouts

    Oven roasted brussel sprouts.

    Oven-roasted Brussel sprouts (from Longbourn Farm) are an easy way to make a sweetened, caramelized and crunchy green vegetable come to life.

    Read More

    How To Cook Quinoa

    Bowl of cooked quinoa.

    Quinoa (from Jack Slobodian) is delicious and healthy. I mean there is a reason people say super food and quinoa in the same sentence, right? Quinoa’s a whole-grain, whole protein (meaning it contains all 9 amino acids) seed thats gluten free and high in fibre.

    Read More

    Buttered Egg Noodles

    Buttered egg noodles in a bowl and topped with parsley.

    Whether you’re making beef stroganoff and need something for under all that tasty sauce, or you’re just making a quick side dish, buttered noodles (from The Cookful) are a great go to.

    Read More

    Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

    Corn on the Cob in a basket
    This Instant Pot Corn on the Cob is an easy way to cook a classic summer favorite. The corn on the cob will be cooked beautifully and completely in under 10 minutes. Serve it up with butter and salt and you’re in for a summer treat from heaven! Enjoy!
    Read More

    Braised Red Cabbage

    Plate of braised red cabbage on a plate.

    This braised red cabbage (from Jack Slobodian) is rich and spiced, perfect for winter. Red Cabbage is a common accompaniment for British Christmas dinner, Sunday Roasts and game birds like duck. 

    Read More

    Easy Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice

    Close up of cranberry sauce topped with lemon zest and sitting next to a pink linen and a serving spoon.
    All you need is some cranberries, sugar, oranges and an Instant Pot and you have the easiest Easy Cranberry Sauce! To make the flavor even better, this Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice also features a slight cinnamon flavor. And you’ll love the 2 minute cook time almost as much as you love the taste.
    Read More

    Lingonberry Jam

    Small glass jar of lingonberry sauce and a smaller bowl filled with the sauce next to it.

    Homemade Lingonberry Jam (from Masala Herb) prepared with 2 ingredients.My preserve recipe is without artificial pectin and it’s all natural!

    Read More
    A Pinterest image for What to Serve with Swedish Meatballs, showing Swedish meatballs in a plate.

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