Reindeer Meatball Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-12 · Updated 2026-06-12

A rich and warming stew featuring tender reindeer-style meatballs simmered in a savory mushroom and lingonberry sauce — classic Scandinavian comfort food. This Scandinavian-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs ground beef, ground pork, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, 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 finely chopped yellow onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 8 oz sliced button mushrooms
• 4 cups beef broth
• 3 tbsp lingonberry jam
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp chopped for garnish fresh dill

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 lb ground pork, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs soaked in 1/4 cup milk, 1 large beaten egg, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 medium finely chopped yellow onion, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Mix gently until just combined.
2. Step 2: Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and set aside on a plate.
3. Step 3: In a large heavy skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add 8 oz sliced button mushrooms and sauté for 5 minutes until golden and fragrant.
4. Step 4: Sprinkle 2 tbsp all-purpose flour over the mushrooms, stirring constantly for 1 minute to create a roux.
5. Step 5: Gradually whisk in 4 cups beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan, and bring to a simmer.
6. Step 6: Carefully add the meatballs to the skillet, cover, and simmer gently for 20 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and the sauce thickens.
7. Step 7: Stir in 3 tbsp lingonberry jam until evenly combined, adding a subtle sweet-tart flavor.
8. Step 8: Garnish with 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill before serving alongside crusty bread or boiled potatoes.