Reindeer Meatball Skewers
Skewered reindeer-style meatballs seasoned with warming Scandinavian spices and served with lingonberry sauce, a hearty grilling-friendly take on classic Nordic flavors. This Scandinavian-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs ground venison or lean ground beef, white onion, garlic clove for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 venison or lean ground beef
- 1 small, finely grated white onion
- 2, minced garlic clove
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup lingonberry jam
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, soak 1/3 cup breadcrumbs in 1/4 cup milk for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 lb ground venison or lean ground beef, the soaked breadcrumbs and milk, 1 finely grated small white onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tsp ground allspice, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, 1 large egg, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: Mix ingredients gently but thoroughly using your hands until evenly combined.
- Step 4: Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs, about 20 in total.
- Step 5: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the meatballs for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through.
- Step 6: Thread 4-5 warm meatballs onto wooden skewers and serve immediately with 1/2 cup lingonberry jam on the side for dipping.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Reindeer Meatball Skewers take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Reindeer Meatball Skewers?
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 white onion from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Reindeer Meatball Skewers?
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 Reindeer Meatball Skewers 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 Reindeer Meatball Skewers?
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.
