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Swedish Meatballs Made in a Slow Cooker

These tender, flavorful meatballs simmer slowly to perfection, making dinner effortless and delicious. Perfect for busy days, this recipe fills your home with comforting aromas and hearty satisfaction.

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TIME2 hr 30 min
SERVINGS4
RATING4.9 / 5
Swedish Meatballs Made in a Slow Cooker COOKBOOK / 30403
01 / WHAT YOU NEED

Ingredients

Adjust servings4
02 / HOW TO MAKE IT

Let's cook.

01

Mix and Shape Meatballs

In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef, oats, egg, garlic, allspice, ginger, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to mix everything together until it’s well combined, about a minute. Scoop out about 2 tablespoons of the mixture and roll it into a ball. Keep going until you have around 17 meatballs.

Swedish Meatballs Made in a Slow Cooker step 1
02

Brown the Meatballs

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and melt a couple tablespoons of butter. Add the meatballs and brown them on all sides, which should take about 4 to 6 minutes. Turn the heat down to medium and cook for another 3 minutes to make sure they’re cooked through. Once done, transfer the meatballs to your slow cooker, but keep the skillet handy.

Swedish Meatballs Made in a Slow Cooker step 2
03

Make the Sauce

Put the skillet back on the stove over medium-high heat and melt another tablespoon of butter. Stir in the flour and cook it for about 30 seconds while whisking. Slowly whisk in the water, beef base, and steak sauce, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the pan. Let the sauce come to a boil and thicken, which should take about a minute. Pour this sauce over the meatballs in the slow cooker.

Swedish Meatballs Made in a Slow Cooker step 3
04

Slow Cook and Stir

Cover and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 to 5 hours. When it’s done, scoop out about 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid into a small bowl. Stir in the yogurt little by little so it doesn’t curdle, then mix this back into the slow cooker. Taste and add more salt and pepper if you think it needs it.

Swedish Meatballs Made in a Slow Cooker step 4
03 / EXTRA DETAILS

Good to know.

Cook's tip

- Use ground beef and pork for the best texture and flavor.
- Brown the meatballs before adding them to the slow cooker to lock in moisture.
- Stir the sauce halfway through cooking to keep it smooth and creamy.

Why you’ll love it

These meatballs are tender and flavorful, thanks to slow cooking that lets the spices and sauce meld perfectly. They offer a comforting meal with minimal effort, making them ideal for busy days or cozy dinners.

Serving ideas

Serve these meatballs over creamy mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles. A side of steamed green beans or pickled cucumbers adds a nice contrast and freshness to the dish.

Storage & leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of cream or broth to keep the sauce creamy.

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