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Whole30 Swedish meatballs in a large cast-iron skillet with plenty of creamy sauce.

Whole30 Swedish Meatballs with Gravy (Paleo, Gluten Free)

40aprons.com/healthy-swedish-meatballs-paleo-whole30-gluten-free/
Tender paleo Swedish meatballs with a creamy, compliant gravy. Perfect over mashed potatoes with lingonberry or raspberry jam.
Prep 20 minutes
Cook 30 minutes
Total 50 minutes
Recipe Makes (Approximate): 6 servings

Equipment

  • large mixing bowl
  • 2-tablespoon scoop with release handle
  • large baking sheet
  • Large skillet cast-iron preferred
  • Tongs or spatula
  • Large plate
  • whisk

Ingredients

For the Swedish Meatballs

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • ⅓ cup super-fine blanched almond flour
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic (approximately 2 large cloves)
  • 1 cup finely chopped white onion (approximately ½ of one medium white onion)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (more or less to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground white pepper (more or less to taste)
  • 1 pinch allspice
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley

To Cook the Swedish Meatballs

  • 2 tablespoons refined coconut oil (plus more as needed)

For the Gravy

  • 3 tablespoons ghee (or 3 tablespoons refined coconut oil)
  • 3 tablespoons arrowroot powder
  • 2 cups compliant beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1 cup unsweetened, full-fat coconut cream (see Notes)
  • 1 teaspoon compliant Dijon mustard (see Notes)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper (more or less to taste)
  • 1 dash coconut aminos (optional)

Serving Suggestions (All Optional)

  • mashed potatoes (or mashed cauliflower)
  • compliant lingonberry jam (or compliant raspberry jam)

Instructions

To Make the Swedish Meatballs

  • Add 1 pound lean ground beef, 1 pound ground pork, ⅓ cup super-fine blanched almond flour, 1 large egg, 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic, 1 cup finely chopped white onion, 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground white pepper, 1 pinch allspice, and 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley to large mixing bowl.
  • Gently mix together ingredients with hands, ensuring all ingredients are fully incorporated. Be careful not to overmix.
  • Using scoop with release handle, portion meatball mixture into individual scoops of desired size. Roll each scoop gently between palms to form into meatballs, then place formed meatballs on large baking sheet and set aside. Repeat until entire mixture has been formed into equally-sized meatballs.

To Cook the Swedish Meatballs

  • Place large skillet on stovetop over medium heat. When pan is warm, add 1 to 2 tablespoons refined coconut oil and continue heating skillet until oil is hot and shimmering.
  • Once oil is hot, place meatballs in skillet in one even layer, being careful not to overcrowd pan. Work in batches as needed depending on size of skillet and size and number of meatballs.
  • Cook meatballs until browned on bottom, then flip meatballs over. Repeat until meatballs are browned on all sides, then transfer cooked meatballs to large plate and set aside. Repeat with remaining meatballs until all have been fully cooked.

To Make the Gravy

  • Return empty skillet to stovetop and reduce heat to medium-low. Add 3 tablespoons ghee and warm ghee until melted, swirling and tilting pan occasionally to distribute ghee across entire skillet.
  • When ghee has melted, sprinkle 3 tablespoons arrowroot powder into skillet, then vigorously whisk arrowroot into melted ghee until fully combined.
  • Once combined, slowly pour 2 cups compliant beef broth into skillet in small increments, whisking constantly to incorporate beef broth into arrowroot roux. Continue until all beef broth has been added and mixture has become thin and smooth.
  • Increase heat under skillet to medium and continue whisking mixture until slightly thickened.
  • Once mixture has thickened, remove skillet from heat and let cool slightly. Slowly pour 1 cup unsweetened, full-fat coconut cream into skillet and whisk to incorporate fully.
  • Return skillet to heat. Add 1 teaspoon compliant Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper, and 1 dash coconut aminos (if desired). Whisk mixture until all ingredienst are fully incorporated, then reduce heat under skillet to medium-low.
  • Simmer mixture 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until gravy has thickened to desired consistency.
  • When satisfied with consistency, return meatballs to skillet. Coat meatballs with gravy on all sides and simmer just until meatballs are heated through.

To Serve

  • Portion mashed potatoes or mashed cauliflower onto serving plates or bowls.
  • Top with Swedish meatballs, then spoon desired amount of gravy over meatballs.
  • Serve warm with compliant lingonberry jam if desired and plenty of additional gravy.

Recipe Notes

  • Quantity: Actual number of meatballs made will depend entirely on the size of your portions. Smaller scoops of the meatball mixture will yield more meatballs; larger scoops will yield fewer meatballs.
  • Coconut Cream: Place an unopened can of unsweetened, full-fat coconut milk in the fridge overnight. When you're ready to use it, remove the can from the fridge without shaking it. Open the can and scoop out the thick, white portion that has separated from the coconut water. This is your coconut cream. Discard the remaining liquid or use it for something else. Note: you may need to use 2 cans of coconut milk to yield 1 cup of coconut cream.
  • Important: Do NOT use coconut creamer, coco lopez, or cream of coconut. These are not the same as coconut cream, and they are not Whole30-compatible. Also, be sure your coconut cream is unsweetened.
  • Dijon Mustard: Be sure to use a Dijon that isn't made with white wine or sugar. If you can't find any or don't have any on hand, you can omit the mustard from the recipe.
  • Coconut Aminos: This is mainly to give the dish a deeper color and an extra bit of flavor. It's totally optional - feel free to skip it if needed.
  • Keep it Whole30: Replace the lingonberry jam with St. Dalfour Red Raspberry Fruit Spread. It balances the creaminess of the gravy and the umami of the meatballs while being sugar-free and Whole30-compatible.
  • Make it Dairy Free: Use refined coconut oil instead of ghee, as ghee is only lactose free.

Nutrition Information (Approximate)

Serving Size: 1 serving meatballs with sauceCalories: 612calProtein: 33gFat: 49gSaturated Fat: 27gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 154mgSodium: 1190mgPotassium: 704mgTotal Carbs: 11gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gNet Carbs: 9gVitamin A: 166IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 62mgIron: 4mg
Recipe By: Cheryl Malik
https://40aprons.com/healthy-swedish-meatballs-paleo-whole30-gluten-free/