Swedish meatballs—what a classic, right? But hold on, these aren’t your grandma’s meatballs; they’re a low-carb twist on the beloved dish, perfect for those keto cravings. Imagine tender bites of savory goodness swimming in a creamy sauce, all while keeping those carbs at bay.
Remember that time when IKEA meatballs were all the rage? Well, this homemade version is about to blow them out of the water.
Steps
- Melt a tablespoon of butter in a medium heat skillet, add the onion with a pinch of salt, and sauté until it starts to caramelize for about 6-8 minutes. Remove from the heat and let it cool down.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, almond flour or pork rind ‘panko’, salt, spices, cooked onion, egg, and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream. Use your hands to mix everything thoroughly and shape the mixture into meatballs, making either 20 small ones or 14 larger ones.
- Heat some olive oil in the skillet over medium heat and cook the meatballs until they are brown on all sides and cooked through. Turn them several times to ensure even cooking, then transfer to a plate and cover with foil.
- Add the remaining butter to the skillet and let it brown slightly, without cleaning the pan to retain the flavor from the meatballs. Pour in the broth, remaining heavy cream, and mustard to deglaze the pan, and let it simmer for a few minutes.
- Prepare a slurry by mixing your chosen thickener with a couple of tablespoons of cold water, then add it to the sauce while continuing to simmer until the sauce begins to thicken. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Return the meatballs to the skillet, simmer for an additional couple of minutes, and serve immediately, ideally over a bed of mashed cauliflower for a complete meal.
Ingredients
- free and keto Swedish meatballs recipe:
- 1 tablespoon butter (for sautéing)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- Pinch of salt (for sautéing the onion)
- 1 pound ground meat (or a mix of ground chuck and ground pork)
- 1/4 cup almond flour or crushed pork rinds (as a breadcrumb substitute)
- Salt, to taste
- Spices (specific spices not listed, use your preference)
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream (for the meatball mixture)
- Olive oil (for cooking the meatballs)
- 1 tablespoon butter (for the sauce)
- 1 cup broth (start with this amount and adjust to taste for the sauce)
- Remaining heavy cream (amount used in the sauce, adjust to taste)
- Mustard (amount not specified, used in the sauce)
- Thickener of choice (to be mixed with a couple of tablespoons of cold water for the sauce)
- Mashed cauliflower
- Cranberry relish
Nutritional Values
Calories: 2394kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 102g | Fat: 204g | Saturated Fat: 96g | Cholesterol: 798mg | Sodium: 3852mg | Potassium: 1914mg | Fiber: 1.5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 3390IU | Vitamin C: 7.8mg | Calcium: 318mg | Iron: 12.6mg
FAQ
- What are some alternatives to breadcrumbs in keto Swedish meatballs?
- To keep the meatballs keto-friendly, you can use keto breadcrumbs made from soft sandwich bread, crushed pork rinds, or almond flour. Crushed pork rinds are a great option as they mimic the texture of breadcrumbs without the added carbs.
- How do I make the meatballs gluten-free and keto?
- You can ensure the meatballs are gluten-free and keto by using almond flour or crushed pork rinds instead of traditional breadcrumbs, and by selecting high-quality ground meat without added fillers.
- How should I cook the meatballs for even browning?
- Cook the meatballs in a skillet over medium heat, turning them frequently. This ensures they brown evenly on all sides and are cooked through perfectly.
- What is the best way to thicken the gravy for the meatballs?
- To thicken the gravy, make a slurry with your choice of thickener mixed with cold water before adding it to the sauce. Simmer until the gravy reaches your desired consistency, ensuring to taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Can I mix different types of meat for the meatballs?
- Absolutely! Combining ground chuck with ground pork yields delicious results and is a favorite method for enhancing flavor and texture.
Tips
- For a keto-friendly breadcrumb substitute, consider using crushed pork rinds. These provide a similar texture to breadcrumbs without any aftertaste, and are a great low-carb option.
- If you prefer a different flavor profile, try using almond flour as a breadcrumb alternative. It adds a nice depth of flavor, though the meatballs may be slightly more delicate.
- When making the sauce, retain the bits left in the skillet from cooking the meatballs as they enhance the flavor of the sauce.
- If you find the sauce too thin, start with less broth and gradually add more to achieve your preferred consistency.
Equipment
- Skillet or Pan: A good-quality skillet or non-stick pan is essential for sautéing the onions and cooking the meatballs.
- Mixing Bowl: A large mixing bowl is needed to combine the meatball ingredients.
- Measuring Spoons and Cups: Accurate measurement tools are necessary for the ingredients, especially for the almond flour and heavy cream.
- Meatball Scoop or Cookie Scoop: This can help in forming evenly sized meatballs.
- Slotted Spoon or Tongs: Useful for turning the meatballs as they cook and for removing them from the skillet.
- Whisk: A whisk may be needed to create a smooth sauce and to mix the slurry for thickening the sauce.
