How to Make Homemade Meatballs 

I had learned how to make homemade meatballs using different common spices like oregano, basil, garlic, chili powder and sage. As soon as I conquered the meatballs for spaghetti, a friend named Letha kept telling me that she had eaten some Swedish meatballs. She asked if I knew anything about this recipe. I said to her, ”What are Swedish meatballs? Are you kidding? It hasn’t been too long since I learned how to make homemade meatballs for Italian spaghetti. Now you want me to make Swedish meatballs!” Well, of course I couldn’t let it pass after Letha described how delicious was the wonderful flavor of these meatballs. I set out to make what she described to me.

Here are my Swedish meatballs. I have come to include these meatballs among my easy appetizer recipes and my make ahead appetizer recipes.

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE MEATBALLS

SWEDISH MEATBALLS

How to Make Homemade Swedish MeatballsHow to Make Homemade Swedish Meatballs

When you learn how to make homemade meatballs Swedish is one of the most popular.

  • 1 Tablespoon solid shortening
  • 1 ½ Pound ground beef
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • ¼ Teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ Teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ Cup bread crumbs
  • 2/3 Milk
  • 1 Egg
  • ¼ Cup grated onion
  • 6 Cups cold water
  • 8 Beef bouillon cubes
  • ¾ Cup flour
  • Kitchen Bouquet for color

Soak bread crumbs with milk; combine with ground beef, egg, onion, salt, pepper and nutmeg and mix well.

Shape mixture into 1 inch balls.

Melt shortening in skillet and brown meatballs on all sides.

In large heavy pan place flour; add water gradually stirring or whisking until smooth.

Add bouillon cubes; bring to a boil stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming.

Lower heat and add Kitchen Bouquet and meatballs; simmer slowly about 30 minutes and stir occasionally.

Meatballs and gravy delicious served over noodles.

When I really learned how to make homemade meatballs, I tasted the Lebanese meatballs called Kebbeh. I must say these are now my favorite. The combined flavor of cumin, garlic, cardamom, allspice and mint added to this meat makes for a unique flavor that I had never experienced before. Fresh homemade yogurt is a great accompaniment to this recipe. If you don’t have homemade yogurt, purchase a good quality plain yogurt from your grocery store.

KIBBEH RECIPE

  • 1 Pound ground beef
  • 1 Pound ground lamb
  • 2 Cloves minced garlic
  • 1 Medium very finely chopped onion
  • ¾ Cup bulgur soaked in water
  • ¼ Teaspoon cardamom
  • 1 Teaspoon allspice
  • 1 Teaspoon cumin
  • ¼ Cup ground mint leaves
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • ¼ Teaspoon black pepper
  • Ground pine nuts

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

Combine and blend well all ingredients except for the pine nuts.

Measure about 2 tablespoons of mixture for each ball.

I work the mixture with my hands into small flat patties, then spoon about ½ teaspoon ground pine nuts on the patty, then I fold the patty over the pine nuts shaping it into a ball.

Place these balls in a greased casserole dish and bake until done, about 60 minutes.

The kofta recipe for meatballs is a Middle Eastern recipe and South Asian recipe for meatballs. Koftas can be made of beef, lamb or a combination with added ingredients like rice, Bulgur, eggs, garlic and onions. Also many are made with fish and from vegetarian recipes. All these recipes can be grilled, fried, baked or steamed.

CHINESE MEATBALLS

Chinese MeatballsChinese Meatballs

Chinese meatballs have become one of my favorites but I love the flavor of any Chinese food. These are usually made with ground pork, egg, breadcrumbs and seasoned with onion and garlic. Try my recipe. These are among my favorite appetizer recipes.

  • 1 Pound fresh ground pork
  • 1 Egg
  • ½ Cup bread crumbs
  • 2 Tablespoons minced onion
  • 1 Clove minced garlic
  • ¾ Cup chili sauce
  • ¼ Teaspoon garlic powder
  • 6 Tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon butter

Preheat oven to 400F degrees.

Combine pork, egg, bread crumbs, onion and minced garlic; mix well.

Chinese MeatballsBaking Chinese Meatballs

Shape into 1 inch balls and place in lightly greased baking pan; bake 4 minutes then turn balls over and bake 5 more minutes.

Combine the chili sauce, garlic powder, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce and butter; blend well.

Bring sauce to a simmer and add meatballs; simmer 15 minutes.


These are some of my favorite recipes when I learned how to make homemade meatballs!

SWEET AND SPICY MEATBALL RECIPE

Sweet and Spicy MeatballsSweet and Spicy Meatballs

Meatballs:

  • 2 Slightly beaten eggs
  • 1 Finely diced small onion
  • ¾ Cup bread crumbs
  • ½ Teaspoon salt
  • ½ Teaspoon pepper
  • 2 Pounds hamburger

Sauce:

  • 1 Jar (12 ounces) grape jelly
  • 1 Jar (12 ounces) chili sauce
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • ½ to 1 Teaspoon hot sauce

Mix eggs, onion, bread crumbs and seasoning together; add hamburger and mix with hands.

Shape into small golf ball size meatballs; brown under broiler, turn over and brown other side.

Turn heat in oven to baking on 350F degrees.

When all have been browned place in Dutch oven or covered baking pan.

Mix sauce and pour over meatballs; cover and place in oven about 20 to 25 minutes.

Stir meatballs occasionally.

To make sauce combine jar jelly, jar chili, lemon juice and hot sauce; pour over meatballs.