Gluten-Free Swedish Meatballs (Dairy-Free)

Flavorful and juicy, these gluten-free Swedish meatballs are cooked in a tasty gravy that’s so good, you’ll be asking for more! Serve over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes for a hearty and comforting meal. Totally dairy-free too.

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Amazing Swedish Meatballs (So good!!)

I don’t know about you, but when I was little, the highlight of any Ikea shopping trip was literally the Swedish meatballs that have become a mainstay on their food menu.

Even if I wasn’t hungry, just seeing the small round meatballs made my mouth water and I would always order a big plate of meatballs, along with the rich and flavorful gravy that came with it.

I remember buying their frozen Swedish meatballs to bring home and cook when I was still doing my student exchange in Mannheim, Germany. Oh man, those were the good old days.

Unfortunately, Ikea’s Swedish meatballs are NOT gluten-free, because they use regular breadcrumbs, which contain wheat flour (and hence gluten).

However, today, we’re making a homemade version of those beloved Swedish meatballs that are so good…you’ll be begging for seconds!

Why This Recipe Works:

• Simple Ingredients: The ingredients needed for this gluten-free dairy-free Swedish meatballs recipe are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required!).
• Easy to Make: Preparing these Swedish meatballs is just a matter of mixing up the meatball ingredients, forming and searing the meatballs, before cooking the savory gravy and then simmering the meatballs in the gravy until they are fully cooked.
• Totally Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free: The best part is that these easy meatballs are 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances can enjoy them without issues!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for making these gluten-free Swedish meatballs.

(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

Recipe Notes + Substitutions:

• Ground Meat: Traditional Swedish meatballs are made with a mixture of both ground beef and ground pork, so I’ve used a combination of both meats. However, if you don’t eat pork, you can also make these with just ground beef or vice versa. Or use ground turkey if you prefer a white meat option.
• Panko: I’ve used plain gluten-free panko breadcrumbs to keep this recipe gluten-free. Regular gluten-free breadcrumbs will work too. However, if you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, go ahead and use regular panko breadcrumbs instead.
• Egg: The egg helps to bind the meatball mixture together, so make sure you add it in.
• Almond Milk: I used an unsweetened version of my homemade almond milk, but you may also use another unsweetened non-dairy milk instead (such as cashew milk, rice milk, oat milk, soy milk, etc.). Alternatively, if you are not lactose-intolerant, you may use regular milk instead.
• Onion: I used a yellow onion, but white onions or red onions will work too.
• Worcestershire Sauce: I used gluten-free Worcestershire sauce to keep this recipe gluten-free. However if you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, go ahead and use regular Worcestershire sauce instead.
• Granulated Garlic: You may also use garlic powder instead.
• Ground Nutmeg: Ground nutmeg adds a characteristic flavor to these Swedish meatballs.
• Gluten-Free Flour: I recommend using a good-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that is made up of lighter flours/starches (such as rice flour, tapioca starch, corn starch or potato starch) so it dissolves easily into the gravy. Alternatively, you may also use corn starch instead. If you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, go ahead and use regular wheat flour instead.
• Beef Broth: Homemade or storebought beef broth will work. If you don’t have beef broth, beef stock will also work.
• Cream: I used dairy-free heavy cream to keep this recipe dairy-free. However, if you are not lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use regular heavy whipping cream instead.
• Butter: I used dairy-free butter to keep this recipe dairy-free. However, if you are not lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use regular butter instead.
• Parsley: I like garnishing these homemade Ikea meatballs with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor. Alternatively, you may also use chopped chives or spring onions as garnish.

How to Make Gluten-Free Swedish Meatballs (Step by Step):

1. Combine Meatball Ingredients

Combine the ground beef, ground pork, gluten-free panko breadcrumbs, egg, almond milk, diced onions, gluten-free Worcestershire sauce, salt, granulated garlic and ground nutmeg. Mix thoroughly to get a homogeneous meatball mixture.

2. Form Meatballs

With wet hands, shape the meatball mixture into small balls (approximately 1-inch to 1 1/2-inch meatballs similar to the size of golf balls).

(TIP: You may also use a small cookie scoop for convenience.)

3. Cook Meatballs

In a lightly greased skillet or frying pan over medium heat, sear the meatballs for approximately 7 minutes, turning them occasionally with a spatula until all sides are cooked, before transferring them to a plate.

4. Prepare the Gravy

Clean the skillet and melt the dairy-free butter over medium high heat. Add the gluten-free all-purpose flour and quickly stir the flour with the butter using a spatula.

Pour in the beef broth and stir some more, making sure to break up all the lumps of flour. Bring to a boil and pour in the cream, add nutmeg. Stir again and bring the sauce to a boil, mixing well until you get a thick and brown gravy.

5. Return Meatballs to Skillet

Add the meatballs to the skillet with the gravy and simmer for another 20 minutes over low heat, then serve hot with the creamy sauce.

6. Garnish and Serve

Divide meatballs into 4 bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.

Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:

• Serve These Meatballs With: These Swedish meatballs go perfect over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes (or gluten-free pasta, white rice or cauliflower rice), or with lingonberry jam.
• Freeze: If you wish, you can form the meatballs and freeze them so you can enjoy homemade meatballs anytime. (To freeze, place the fresh meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and flash freeze them until hardened for an hour, before transferring the partially-frozen meatballs to a freezer bag and freezing for up to 2 months.).

Other Gluten-Free Meatball Recipes You’ll Enjoy:

• Easy Gluten-Free Meatballs (Dairy-Free)
• Chicken Meatballs (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Turkey Meatballs (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Gluten-Free Main Dishes to Cook:

P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!

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Gluten-Free Swedish Meatballs (Dairy-Free)

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• Author: Felicia Lim
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Flavorful and juicy, these gluten-free Swedish meatballs are cooked in a tasty gravy that’s so good, you’ll be asking for more! Serve over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes for a hearty and comforting meal. Totally dairy-free too.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

For the Swedish Meatballs:

• 3/4 pound ground beef
• 1/3 pound ground pork
• 1/2 cup plain gluten-free panko breadcrumbs
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 onion, diced finely
• 1 tablespoons gluten-free Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
• 1/3 teaspoon ground nutmeg

For the Sauce/Garnish:

• 2 tablespoons gluten-free all-purpose flour
• 1 cup gluten-free beef broth
• 1 cup dairy-free heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons dairy-free butter
• Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Combine Meatball Ingredients: Combine the ground beef, ground pork, gluten-free panko breadcrumbs, egg, almond milk, diced onions, gluten-free Worcestershire sauce, salt, granulated garlic and ground nutmeg. Mix thoroughly to get a homogeneous meatball mixture.
2. Form Meatballs: With wet hands, shape the meatball mixture into small and compact 1-inch to 1 1/2-inch meatballs (similar to size of golf balls).
3. Cook Meatballs: In a lightly greased skillet over medium-high heat, sear the meatballs for approximately 7 minutes, turning them occasionally with a spatula until all sides are cooked, before transferring them to a plate.
4. Prepare the Gravy: Clean the skillet and melt the dairy-free butter over medium-high heat. Add the gluten-free all-purpose flour and quickly stir the flour with the butter using a spatula. Pour in the beef broth and stir some more, breaking up all the lumps of flour. Bring to a boil and pour in the cream, add nutmeg. Stir again and bring the sauce to a boil, mixing well until you get a thick and brown gravy.
5. Return Meatballs to Skillet: Add the meatballs to the skillet with the gravy and cook for another 20 minutes over low heat, then serve hot with the sauce.
6. Garnish and Serve: Divide meatballs evenly into 4 bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.

Notes

Ground Meat: Traditionally, Swedish meatballs are made with a mixture of both ground beef and ground pork, so I’ve used a combination of both meats. However, if you don’t eat pork, you can also make these with just ground beef or vice versa.

Panko: I’ve used plain gluten-free panko breadcrumbs to keep this recipe gluten-free. However, if you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, go ahead and use regular panko breadcrumbs instead.

Egg: The egg helps to bind the meatball mixture together, so make sure you add it in.

Almond Milk: I used an unsweetened version of my homemade almond milk, but you may also use another unsweetened non-dairy milk instead (such as cashew milk, rice milk, oat milk, soy milk, etc.). Alternatively, if you are not lactose-intolerant, you may use regular milk instead.

Onion: I used a yellow onion, but white onions or red onions will work too.

Worcestershire Sauce: I used gluten-free Worcestershire sauce to keep this recipe gluten-free. However if you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, go ahead and use regular Worcestershire sauce instead.

Granulated Garlic: You may also use garlic powder instead.

Ground Nutmeg: Ground nutmeg adds a characteristic flavor to these Swedish meatballs.

Gluten-Free Flour: I recommend using a good-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that is made up of lighter flours/starches (such as rice flour, tapioca starch, corn starch or potato starch) so it dissolves easily into the gravy. Alternatively, you may also use corn starch instead. If you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, go ahead and use regular wheat flour instead.

Beef Broth: Homemade or storebought beef broth will work. If you don’t have beef broth, beef stock will also work.

Cream: I used dairy-free heavy cream to keep this recipe dairy-free. However, if you are not lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use regular cream instead.

Butter: I used dairy-free butter to keep this recipe dairy-free. However, if you are not lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use regular butter instead.

Parsley: I like garnishing these Swedish meatballs with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor. Alternatively, you may also use chopped chives or spring onions as garnish.

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Swedish