Grandmother's Finnish Meatballs With Traditional Brown Sauce
Grandmother’s Finnish meatballs (lihapullat) are a beloved family recipe that embodies the heart of Finnish home cooking. Crafted from ground beef, mashed potatoes, cream, and a blend of spices, these tender meatballs are gently simmered in a rich brown sauce. Traditionally served with creamy mashed potatoes and a side of lingonberry jam, this comforting dish has been passed down through generations, offering a taste of nostalgia and warmth in every bite.
Ingredients
Grandmother’s Finnish Meatballs with Traditional Brown Sauce
Meatballs
- 500 g ground beef
- 1 egg
- 1 dl 100 ml cream
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 150 g boiled cooled potato, mashed
- 0.5 dl 50 ml breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp butter use more if needed to brown the meatballs
- 0.5 tsp white pepper Use more if you like a bit of heat.
- 1 tsp allspice
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
Brown Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2.5 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 4 dl (400 ml) lukewarm beef broth (made from stock cubes or homemade)
- 0.5 - 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp Black pepper freshly ground to taste
- 0,5 - 1 tsp Allspice to taste
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
Instructions
Instructions
Meatballs
- In a mixing bowl, combine salt, peppers, and cream. Add the egg, mustard, breadcrumbs, mashed potatoes, and finely chopped onion. Mix well.
- Add the ground beef to the bowl and gently combine with the other ingredients until evenly mixed. Do not overwork the mixture, as this can make the meatballs dense.
- Shape the meat mixture into small balls, about the size of a tablespoon.
- Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add butter. Fry half of the meatballs, rolling them around in the pan to ensure they get an even golden-brown color.
- The meatballs should cook through in about 10–15 minutes, depending on their size. Reduce the heat to cook the meatballs through. Check doneness by cutting one open—no raw meat should be inside.
- Transfer the cooked meatballs to a plate and repeat with the remaining batch.
Brown Sauce
- Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the flour and whisk continuously until the mixture turns a deep golden-brown color, similar to the shade of mocha coffee (about 3-4 minutes).
- Gradually add the beef broth, whisking constantly to prevent lumps.
- Simmer the sauce for 2-3 minutes, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little water.
- Season with salt, black pepper, allspice, and Dijon mustard.
Notes
Serving Suggestions
- Serve the meatballs with mashed potatoes or boiled potatoes.
- Add steamed vegetables on the side.
- Enjoy with lingonberry jam or pickled beets for an authentic Finnish experience.