Swedish Meatball Soup

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We use the flavor profile of Swedish meatballs, like the ones you find at your local IKEA store, as the inspiration for this savory soup. The creamy broth makes an ideal base for the soup. Refrigerating the meat mixture for at least 15 to 20 minutes before shaping the meatballs helps them keep their shape. Use a small ice cream or cookie scoop, if you have one, to portion the meatballs.

a recipe photo of the Swedish Meatball Soup
Photo:

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Active Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 10 mins
Servings:
6 servings
the ingredients to make the Swedish Meatball Soup

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Ingredients

  • 2 cups finely chopped yellow onion (about 1 large), divided

  • 1 tablespoon water

  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

  • 1/2 cup whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs

  • 1/3 cup whole milk

  • 4 teaspoons reduced-sodium Worcestershire sauce, divided

  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper, divided

  • 3/4 teaspoon ground allspice, divided

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg plus 1/8 teaspoon, divided

  • 1 pound lean ground beef

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 4 cups reduced-sodium beef broth

  • 1 large russet potato, scrubbed and cubed (1/2-inch)

  • 12 ounces sliced cremini mushrooms

  • 2 teaspoons cider vinegar

  • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

  • 3/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1 cup heavy cream

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions

  1. Combine 1 cup onion and 1 tablespoon water in a large Dutch oven. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and browns, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl; let cool for 5 minutes.

  2. Stir eggs, panko, milk, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire, 3/4 teaspoon pepper, 1/2 teaspoon allspice and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg into the onions in the bowl. Let the panko soak for 3 minutes. Add ground beef; mix gently until well incorporated. Shape the mixture into 30 meatballs (about 1½-inch diameter; 1 rounded tablespoon each); place on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate, uncovered, until slightly firm, about 20 minutes.

    a step to make the Swedish Meatball Soup

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

  3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in the Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Working in 2 batches, sear the meatballs, carefully stirring occasionally, until browned all over, about 10 minutes. Transfer the browned meatballs to a baking sheet. (Do not wipe the pot clean.)

    a step to make the Swedish Meatball Soup

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

  4. Reduce heat to medium; add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and the remaining 1 cup onion. Cook, stirring often and scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen browned bits, until the onion begins to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add flour; cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Gradually stir in broth. Add potato, mushrooms, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt, and the remaining 2 teaspoons Worcestershire, 1/4 teaspoon each pepper and allspice and 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg; stir to combine.

    a step to make the Swedish Meatball Soup

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

  5. Return the seared meatballs to the pot. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the potato is tender and meatballs are cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes.

    a step to make the Swedish Meatball Soup

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

  6. Reduce heat to low; stir in cream. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cream is heated through and the soup is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Top with parsley and serve.

    a step to make the Swedish Meatball Soup

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

To make ahead

Prepare meatballs through Step 2. Wrap the baking sheet tightly with plastic wrap; refrigerate for up to 2 days. Proceed with Step 3. Refrigerate soup in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Equipment

Parchment paper

Nutrition Information

Serving Size: about 1 3/4 cups

Calories 505, Fat 31g, Saturated Fat 14g, Cholesterol 158mg, Carbohydrates 32g, Total Sugars 7g, Added Sugars 1g, Protein 25g, Fiber 3g, Sodium 715mg, Potassium 1,016mg

EatingWell.com, December 2023

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