Nordic-Inspired Reindeer Meatball Stew with Root Vegetables

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-05 · Updated 2026-07-05

Hearty meatballs made with ground beef and pork simmered in a savory broth with root vegetables. This Nordic-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs ground beef, ground pork, yellow onion, finely chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 8 oz ground beef
• 8 oz ground pork
• 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic clove, minced
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 medium parsnip, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 4 cups beef broth
• 3 fresh thyme sprigs
• 2 tbsp olive oil

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, soak 1/3 cup breadcrumbs in 1/4 cup whole milk for 5 minutes until softened. Add 8 oz ground beef, 8 oz ground pork, 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 whole egg, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until combined.
2. Step 2: Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and set aside.
3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches and brown for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden but not cooked through. Remove and set aside.
4. Step 4: In the same pot, add 2 chopped carrots, 1 chopped parsnip, and 2 chopped celery stalks. Sauté for 5 minutes until slightly softened and fragrant.
5. Step 5: Pour in 4 cups beef broth and add 3 sprigs fresh thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
6. Step 6: Return meatballs to the pot, cover, and simmer gently for 25 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and vegetables tender.
7. Step 7: Remove thyme sprigs and season stew with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot with rustic bread.