Delicious Swedish Turkey Meatball Recipes for Weeknight Dinners

Swedish meatballs are a beloved comfort food that can be made in a variety of ways. While the classic version uses a blend of beef and pork turkey meatballs are a lighter and healthier alternative without sacrificing any flavor. I’ve gathered some of my favorite simple swedish turkey meatball recipes that you can easily make for a weeknight family dinner.

Overview of Swedish Turkey Meatballs

Swedish meatballs have a distinct flavor profile from the addition of warm spices like nutmeg, allspice, and cardamom. They are traditionally served with a creamy gravy, rather than a tomato sauce. The gravy is made from a roux combined with beef or chicken broth and cream. Using ground turkey instead of beef and pork reduces the fat and calories while still delivering plenty of protein.

Here are some key features of swedish turkey meatball recipes

• Ground turkey provides lean protein and reduces fat compared to beef and pork.

• Onion, garlic, eggs, and breadcrumbs bind the meatballs and add flavor.

• Spices like nutmeg, allspice, and cardamom give it the signature swedish flavor.

• A creamy gravy is made with a roux, broth, and cream instead of tomato sauce.

• They can be baked in the oven or pan fried for easy weeknight dinners.

• Serving suggestions include mashed potatoes, egg noodles, rice or lingonberry jam.

Simple Baked Turkey Swedish Meatballs

This easy turkey swedish meatball recipe from AllRecipes bakes the meatballs in the oven which minimizes mess and clean up. You simply mix the ingredients together, form into balls, and bake until cooked through and browned. While the meatballs bake, you can prepare the creamy gravy on the stovetop using beef broth, flour, and sour cream. The rich and creamy gravy perfectly compliments the tender baked meatballs. You can serve them over buttery egg noodles or mashed potatoes for a satisfying comfort food dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 tsp dried parsley
• 1 tsp ground allspice
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• Beef broth, flour, and sour cream for gravy

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, Worcestershire, parsley, allspice, and nutmeg.
3. Form mixture into 1 inch balls and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
4. Bake 25-30 minutes until browned and 165°F internal temperature.
5. Meanwhile, make gravy by whisking flour into beef broth and cooking until thickened. Stir in sour cream.
6. Add cooked meatballs to gravy and serve over noodles or mashed potatoes.

Pan Fried Turkey Meatballs with Creamy Gravy

For a quicker cooking method, you can pan fry the turkey meatballs then make the gravy right in the same skillet. This recipe from Food Network uses onions and garlic sauteed in butter for extra flavor. The meatballs are rolled smaller, about 1 tablespoon each, so they cook faster over medium-high heat. Once browned on all sides, you can remove them from the pan and prepare the simple gravy. The flour helps thicken the broth and cream to create a luscious gravy to smother the juicy meatballs. Garnish with parsley and serve with lingonberry jam for a true swedish meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• Breadcrumbs from 3 slices of white bread
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 tsp each allspice and nutmeg
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup minced onion
• Flour, chicken broth, heavy cream for gravy

Instructions:

1. Saute onion in 1 tbsp butter until softened. Let cool then mix with turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, allspice and nutmeg.
2. Form into 1 inch balls.
3. Melt 2 tbsp butter in skillet and brown meatballs on all sides over medium-high heat.
4. Remove meatballs and make gravy by whisking flour into chicken broth. Simmer until thickened then stir in cream.
5. Add meatballs back to pan and cook 5 minutes more to absorb flavors.
6. Garnish with parsley and serve with lingonberry jam.

Oven Baked Turkey Meatballs with Yogurt Gravy

For a tangy gravy, this turkey meatball recipe uses greek yogurt instead of heavy cream. The meatballs are loaded with flavor from sauteed onions, Worcestershire sauce, and a blend of allspice, nutmeg, and black pepper. After baking in the oven until fully cooked, the meatballs are transferred directly into the savory gravy mixture. The yogurt provides creaminess while also giving it a pleasant tart flavor. Serve over buttery pasta or rice for a creamy and comforting meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 small onion, finely grated
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1/4 tsp each allspice, nutmeg, white pepper
• Beef broth, flour, yogurt for gravy

Instructions:

1. Mix turkey, breadcrumbs, grated onion, egg, Worcestershire, soy sauce, and spices until combined.
2. Roll into balls and arrange on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes.
3. Whisk together beef broth and flour. Cook over medium heat until thickened.
4. Remove from heat and stir in Greek yogurt.
5. Add cooked meatballs to gravy and simmer for 10 minutes to absorb flavors.
6. Serve meatballs and gravy over pasta or rice. Garnish with parsley.

Tips for Delicious Swedish Turkey Meatballs

• Use a fattier ground turkey for the most flavorful meatballs.

• Don’t overmix the meatball mixture or they can become dense and tough.

• Smaller meatballs will cook faster. Aim for around 1 tablespoon sized.

• Bake, pan fry, or slow cook the meatballs for ease.

• Make extra meatballs and gravy to freeze for quick meals later.

• Serve over egg noodles, mashed potatoes or rice for comfort food.

• Accompany with lingonberry jam or cranberry sauce for tangy sweetness.

Enjoy Simple Swedish Turkey Meatballs Tonight

These easy swedish turkey meatball recipes are perfect for busy weeknights. They come together quickly, maximize pantry staples, and provide a hearty comforting meal the whole family will love. The savory creamy gravy makes these meatballs extra irresistible. Serve them over buttered noodles or creamy mashed potatoes for satisfaction in every bite.