Finnish Meatballs

Discover the cozy flavors of Scandinavia with these traditional Finnish Meatballs, an irresistible blend of ground beef, pork, and warm spices like allspice, all brought together with a rich, creamy gravy. Perfectly tender thanks to a breadcrumb and milk mixture, and elevated with sautéed onions and a hint of peppery seasoning, each bite delivers comforting, homestyle goodness. These golden-browned meatballs are simmered in a velvety sauce made from beef broth, a buttery roux, and heavy cream, resulting in a dish that’s as luxurious as it is hearty. Pair them with classic sides like fluffy mashed potatoes, tangy lingonberry jam, and crisp pickled cucumbers for a flavorful Finnish feast that’s ideal for dinner any night of the week. This recipe is your gateway to Nordic comfort food at its finest!

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams Ground beef
• 250 grams Ground pork
• 100 grams Breadcrumbs
• 120 ml Milk
• 1 large Egg
• 1 medium Onion
• 1 teaspoon Ground allspice
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 2 tablespoons Butter
• 2 tablespoons Flour
• 500 ml Beef broth
• 100 ml Heavy cream

Directions

Step 1

In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the breadcrumbs to absorb the liquid.

Step 2

Finely chop the onion and sauté it in 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat until translucent. Let it cool slightly.

Step 3

In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, ground pork, soaked breadcrumbs, sautéed onion, egg, ground allspice, ground black pepper, and salt. Use your hands to combine the mixture thoroughly, but do not overwork it.

Step 4

Roll the mixture into small meatballs, about 3 cm in diameter, and place them on a plate or tray.

Step 5

Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the meatballs and set them aside.

Step 6

To make the gravy, add the flour to the skillet (with the meatball drippings) and whisk together for 1-2 minutes to create a roux.

Step 7

Gradually pour in the beef broth while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Let the mixture cook for 3-4 minutes until it thickens slightly.

Step 8

Stir in the heavy cream and bring the gravy to a gentle simmer. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 9

Return the browned meatballs to the skillet with the gravy. Cover and cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes, allowing the meatballs to cook through and absorb the flavors of the gravy.

Step 10

Serve the Finnish meatballs hot, traditionally with mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam, and a side of pickled cucumbers.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1839.7 grams (1839.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3275

Total Fat 227.60g	292%
Saturated Fat 97.10g	485%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.80g
Cholesterol 975mg	325%
Sodium 6684mg	291%
Total Carbohydrate 114.20g	42%
Dietary Fiber 7.00g	25%
Total Sugars 20.60g
Protein 183.20g	366%

Vitamin D 144IU	719%
Calcium 464mg	36%
Iron 20mg	111%
Potassium 1748mg	37%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 63.3%

Protein: 22.6%

Carbs: 14.1%