Keto Swedish Meatballs

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These keto Swedish meatballs capture all the creamy, comforting flavor of a classic recipe into a grain-free main dish that only takes 15 minutes of hands-on time! Similar to my ground beef stroganoff and ground chicken meatballs, this recipe combines ground beef and spices with a mouthwatering cream sauce. It’s a little bit inspired by my visits to IKEA.

Are Swedish Meatballs Keto?

Most Swedish meatballs are not keto, since they often contain breadcrumbs or soaked bread in addition to a flour-thickened gravy. This keto Swedish meatballs recipe makes a few simple swaps to these ingredients to create the same delectable textures without the added carbs.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for keto Swedish meatballs, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

For The Meatballs:

• Crushed Pork Rinds – A delicious low carb and gluten-free alternative to breadcrumbs. Get an unflavored variety, or learn how to make pork rinds yourself. You can also use almond flour instead.
• Spices – Sea salt, black pepper, allspice, and nutmeg (optional). I didn’t add garlic powder (one of the few savory recipes I have without it, ha!), but that would also be a nice addition.
• Heavy Cream – Keeps the meatballs moist! You can also use a different keto milk substitute, but the flavor may be different and the meatballs may be more dry.
• Egg – Use a whole, large egg. A flax egg is fine to substitute.
• Onion – Optional, but adds traditional flavor. Grate it so it incorporates seamlessly with the ground meat.
• Ground Beef – I prefer mine grass-fed, but use any variety of ground beef you like. You can also use ground pork, ground turkey, or a combination of any of these.
• Olive Oil – For browning the meatballs. You can also use avocado oil, or any other neutral oil.

For The Keto Swedish Meatball Sauce:

• Butter – I use grass-fed butter, but any unsalted variety works.
• Beef Bone Broth – Adds a beefy flavor to the sauce. Store bought bone broth is fine, but I do have a shortcut for homemade bone broth which is even better. Regular beef broth is okay to use, but may take longer to reduce and will be less flavorful.
• Heavy Cream – Makes the sauce creamy. Full-fat coconut milk is fine to substitute. I wouldn’t recommend thinner milk options, such as almond milk, unless you add additional cream cheese or thicken with something else, such as sour cream.
• Cream Cheese – Thickens the sauce naturally, without a flour roux, and makes it more creamy at the same time. This is one of my favorite cornstarch substitutes for cream sauces like this one.

How To Make Keto Swedish Meatballs

This section shows how to make low carb Swedish meatballs, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full instructions, see the recipe card below.

1. Make meatball base. In a large mixing bowl, stir together dry ingredients for meatballs, then whisk in heavy cream, egg, and onion (if using).
2. Add beef. Gently mix in the ground beef.

3. Form. Form the meat mixture into 1-inch balls and set aside on a baking sheet.
4. Cook. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry meatballs until browned and fully cooked. Set cooked meatballs aside and work in batches until all meatballs are browned.

5. Make sauce. Wipe the pan and melt butter over medium heat. Add beef broth and heavy cream, and simmer until volume reduces by half.
6. Make it creamy. Reduce heat and stir in cream cheese until melted.

7. Finish. Return meatballs to the pan and coat in the sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.

Storage Instructions

Store leftover keto Swedish meatballs in a covered container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. You can also make raw meatballs up to 2 days ahead of time, then prepare the rest of the recipe as directed.

Can Swedish Meatballs Be Frozen?

Swedish meatballs can store safely in the freezer without the sauce. Avoid freezing the sauce, as the dairy in it can split after thawing and create an unpleasant texture.

Reheating Instructions:

Reheat leftovers with sauce in the oven or on the stovetop for gentle heating if possible, but the microwave will also work. For frozen meatballs, thaw overnight, make the sauce fresh on the stove, and add meatballs to the sauce to reheat.

What To Serve With Keto Swedish Meatballs

For the most authentic presentation, serve these meatballs with mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes and sugar-free cranberry sauce… or try these other side dish ideas!

More Keto Meatball Recipes

Love meatballs? There are so many ways to enjoy them and stay keto!

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