Nordic Meatball Stew with Lingonberry Glaze
Hearty Swedish-style meatballs simmered in a creamy gravy, served with a tart lingonberry glaze. This Scandinavian-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 50 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 480 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
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp ground allspice
- 1/3 cup lingonberry preserves
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, soak 1/2 cup breadcrumbs in 1/4 cup milk for 5 minutes until soft. Add 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 lb ground pork, 1 finely chopped medium yellow onion, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 large egg, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp ground allspice. Mix gently to combine.
- Step 2: Shape mixture into 1-inch meatballs and set aside on a plate.
- Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in batches, cooking for 4-5 minutes, turning often until browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove meatballs and set aside.
- Step 4: In the same skillet, sprinkle 3 tbsp all-purpose flour over the remaining fat and whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes until golden and fragrant.
- Step 5: Slowly whisk in 2 cups beef broth and 1/2 cup heavy cream, stirring constantly until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 4-5 minutes.
- Step 6: Return meatballs to the skillet, spoon sauce over them, and simmer on low heat for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Step 7: Warm 1/3 cup lingonberry preserves in a small saucepan over low heat until syrupy.
- Step 8: Serve meatballs and sauce garnished with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and a drizzle of warm lingonberry glaze.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Nordic Meatball Stew with Lingonberry Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Nordic Meatball Stew with Lingonberry Glaze?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Nordic Meatball Stew with Lingonberry Glaze?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Nordic Meatball Stew with Lingonberry Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Nordic Meatball Stew with Lingonberry Glaze?
Scandinavian beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
