Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs are tender and flavorful beef meatballs tossed in a creamy gravy cooked up directly in your slow cooker.
RECIPE FEATURES
Slow Cooker Recipe – This recipe cooks up directly in your slow cooker, reducing dishes.
Budget Friendly – This recipe requires only basic pantry and freezer staples helping you keep food costs low.
Kid Friendly – Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs are a hit with the little ones in your family. The creamy gravy over noodles always pleases even the picky eaters.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Beef – Lean ground beef. Or you can use ground turkey instead.
Worcestershire Sauce – Any brand that you prefer. I used Lea & Perrins
Bread Crumbs – I used Progresso plain bread crumbs for this recipe.
Eggs – Large eggs, brown or white. I use cage free white eggs.
Seasonings – Onion powder, salt, pepper, ground allspice. Ground allspice is optional. I did not use it as my family does not like the taste.
Olive Oil – I use extra virgin olive oil. Any brand is fine.
Butter – I used unsalted butter for this recipe. Salted butter would also work.
Flour – All purpose or plain flour.
Broth – Beef broth or bouillon cubes.
Sour Cream – I use Daisy but any brand will work.
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, worcestershire sauce, breadcrumbs, eggs, allspice (if using,) onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
Step 2. Using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop, portion the meat mixture and roll into a ball.
Step 3. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and then part of the meatballs, browning on all sides. It is not necessary to cook the meatballs all the way through.
Step 4. Transfer the meatballs to the slow cooker and continue browning the remaining meatballs in the remaining olive oil until they are all browned.
Step 5. With all of the meatballs resting in the crock of the slow cooker, add the butter to the skillet to melt. Whisk in the flour, allowing it to cook for about 2 minutes.
Step 6. Slowly whisk in the beef broth until the gravy is thick.
Step 7. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the sour cream until blended. Pour the gravy over the meatball in the slow cooker.
Step 8. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.
Step 9. Gently toss the meatballs in the gravy. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve over egg noodles or mashed potatoes.
DO I HAVE TO BROWN THE MEATBALLS?
Yes. Browning the Meatballs prevents placing them in the slow cooker prevents them from falling apart while cooking.
CAN I MAKE SLOW COOKER SWEDISH MEATBALLS AHEAD?
Yes. These make a great freezer meal. For best results if you want to freeze them, brown your meatballs and allow them to cool. Once they are browned add the meatballs to a freezer bag and store in your freezer until you are ready to cook.
HOW DO I REHEAT SLOW COOKER SWEDISH MEATBALLS?
I reheat my meatballs on the stove in a saucepan over medium heat until they are wam. I find that reheating on the stove gives a fresh taste to leftovers. If you are in a hurry you could also zap them in the microwave for a couple minutes.
RELATED RECIPES
Instant Pot Dr. Pepper Meatballs
Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs
Equipment
- Slow Cooker or Crock Pot
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup plain breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground allspice optional (I did not use it.)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup beef broth
- ¼ cup sour cream
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, worcestershire sauce, breadcrumbs, eggs, allspice (if using,) onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
- Using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop, portion the meat mixture and roll into a ball.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and then part of the meatballs, browning on all sides. It is not necessary to cook the meatballs all the way through. Transfer the meatballs to the slow cooker and continue browning the remaining meatballs in the remaining olive oil until they are all browned.
- With all of the meatballs resting in the crock of the slow cooker, add the butter to the skillet to melt. Whisk in the flour, allowing it to cook for about 2 minutes.
- Slowly whisk in the beef broth until the gravy is thick.