These Keto Swedish Meatballs are a flavorful, low carb meal that brings a classic favorite to your table with a healthy twist.
Keto Swedish Meatballs
Swedish meatballs, a dish known for its comfort and homely warmth, have been a staple at dinner tables for generations. These small, flavorful little orbs of meat, in a creamy sauce, have captured the hearts of food lovers worldwide.
These keto Swedish meatballs show off how classic flavors can be enjoyed even when they are made to be keto-friendly. The meatballs retain the essential herbs and spices that give them their distinctive taste, while using low carb ingredients. The focus is on enhancing the natural flavors of the meat and spices, rather than relying on fillers or high carb ingredients.
Tools Needed
Below are the kitchen essentials needed to make keto Swedish meatballs:
How to Make Keto Swedish Meatballs
In a large mixing bowl, add the ground beef, pork rind crumbs, egg, minced garlic, allspice, nutmeg, whipping cream and salt and pepper to taste and knead until well combined.
Form the mixture into evenly sized meatballs.
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Sear the meatballs evenly on all sized until cooked to your liking. Remove and set aside.
Wipe out the skillet and then melt the butter in the skillet over medium heat. Add the onions to the skillet and saute until softened. Stir in the bouillon, Dijon and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk in the heavy whipping cream and simmer until the sauce has thickened.
Stir in the sour cream and salt and pepper to taste and mix well. Return the meatballs to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce before serving.
Are Swedish Meatballs High in Carbs?
Typically, Swedish meatballs are considered higher in carbs due to ingredients like breadcrumbs. However, this keto Swedish meatball recipe significantly reduces the carb content. They have just 3 net carbs per serving.
Substitutions
There are quite a few substitutions that can be made when making keto Swedish meatballs. For example, if pork rind crumbs are not available, almond flour is a great alternative. It adds a nutty flavor and a distinct texture to the meatballs. Alternatively, coconut flour can be used. This has a lighter texture, though you should use it sparingly as it’s highly absorbent.
For those seeking a lighter alternative to heavy whipping cream in the sauce, coconut cream is a great option. It will give it a slight coconut flavor. Almond milk can also be used, offering a less rich but equally effective substitute. For the sour cream component, Greek yogurt works great, adding a similar creaminess with a slight tang.
Regarding the meatball mixture, if you’re looking for something different from ground beef, ground turkey or chicken are good options that still deliver a great taste. Ground pork is another choice, adding extra richness and flavor to the meatballs.
Finally, let’s face it, we run out of seasonings from time to time. Here are a few easy substitutions: garlic powder can be used in place of minced garlic for a more subtle garlic flavor, and a pinch of ground ginger can replace allspice, giving a unique but equally enticing taste to the dish.
What to Eat with Keto Swedish Meatballs
While meatballs can be eaten all on their own, there are plenty of side dishes that go very nicely with them.
- Cauliflower Mash: A perfect substitute for traditional mashed potatoes is cauliflower mash. It is low in carbs and complements the rich flavor of the meatballs.
- Zucchini Noodles: Light and refreshing, zucchini noodles can be a g bareatse for the meatballs. This adds a touch of freshness to the meal.
- Roasted Vegetables: A mix of keto-friendly vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or garlic Parmesan asparagus, roasted to perfection, can add color and variety to the meatball meal.
Keto Swedish Meatballs
Ingredients
For the sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ onion chopped
- 1 teaspoon better than bouillon beef
- 2 teaspoons. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup sour cream
- Salt and pepper to tastegds
For the meatballs
- 1 ½ pound ground beef
- 1 cup pork rind crumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- Pinch of allspice
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add the ground beef, pork rind crumbs, egg, minced garlic, allspice, nutmeg, whipping cream and salt and pepper to taste and knead until well combined.
- Form the mixture into evenly sized meatballs.
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat.
- Sear the meatballs evenly on all sized until cooked to your liking. Remove and set aside.
- Wipe out the skillet and then melt the butter in the skillet over medium heat.
- Add the onions to the skillet and saute until softened.
- Stir in the bouillon, Dijon and Worcestershire sauce.
- Whisk in the heavy whipping cream and simmer until the sauce has thickened.
- Stir in the sour cream and salt and pepper to taste and mix well.
- Return the meatballs to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce before serving.
Nutrition
Trina Krug is a Holistic Nutritionist, Integrative Health Coach and host of the Carbless Conversations Podcast. With a Master’s Degree in Complementary and Alternative Medicine, her single mission in life is to facilitate self-healing in herself and those around her through awareness, lifestyle shifts and low-carb eating. As a current Doctor of Science student, she continues her studies in functional nutrition.