Classic Swedish Meatball Sandwich – Köttbullemacka
A Swedish Meatball Sandwich is hands-down the best way to enjoy any leftover Swedish meatballs. Juicy meatballs are paired with a vibrant Swedish beetroot salad on an open sandwich for a quick and healthy meal. This classic Swedish recipe is a twist on an Italian meatball sub. You can also make a Swedish meatball sub instead of a sandwich using the same ingredients. There are lots of ways to make a köttbullemacka, but a few ingredients are non negotiable..
Cafes sell meatball sandwiches, and gas stations offer meatball subs. Theyre so convenient and we often make our own homemade version. You can use ready made meatballs or get started with our Swedish Meatball Recipe!
1) Meatballs
Swedish meatballs are a beloved staple here, not just for Christmas! You’ll find meatballs served everywhere from delis to fancy restaurants in Sweden, often with potatoes, creamy gravy and lingonberry jam on the side.
Swedish meatball recipes vary, but they’re usually made using ground beef, a mix of beef and ground pork, or sometimes game meat. They’re seasoned simply but very occasionally contain herbs like thyme.
They differ from Italian meatballs in size, and because they’re quite small, they fit rather nicely on top of the sandwich. Here is our favorite Swedish Meatball Recipe.
You can also use ready-made meatballs for this recipe, though they should be first cooked on a hot skillet over a medium-high heat until piping hot. IKEA now sells frozen meatballs, which have become famous around the world!
2) Beetroot salad
Rödbetsallad (Beetroot salad) is widely available in the refrigerator section of most supermarkets in Sweden, and it’s easy to make your own. Many Swedish families have a favorite beetroot salad recipe that is served every Christmas.
Beetroot salad is quite simply finely chopped beetroot in a cream sauce or dressing. Some recipes use pickled beets, while our favorite is a Fresh Beetroot And Apple Salad.
3) Bread
You’ll find meatball sandwiches made using a range of different breads here in Sweden.
- Wholegrain rye bread is a traditional bread in Sweden, sometimes called ‘kavring’. Its distinct flavor is difficult to describe, but it holds up well without getting soggy.
- White bread is okay, though I suggest lightly toasting it as it can quickly soften and fall apart. If you have bread that is a few days old, this is a great way to use it up! Because it’s an open sandwich, you will likely use a knife and fork anyway, but who likes soggy bread?
- Thickly sliced bread, like white rye rounds. Called ‘Rågkusar’ in Sweden, they are thick yet soft and hold up well for this sandwich. A thick slice of sourdough bread makes a delicious sandwich.
- Swedish hard bread, or ‘knäckebröd’, is useful as you don’t need to have fresh bread on hand. However, you will need to use your hands rather than a knife and fork, and it’s therefore a good idea not to pack too much onto each sandwich.
- Baguettes or a long French roll are easy to pick up at supermarkets and bakeries in Sweden, but you would be hard-pressed to find a soft hoagie roll. A meatball sub is useful if you want to make this sandwich ‘to go’, as you can use your hands to eat it.
So, use your favorite bread for this recipe, but bear in mind that the bread may absorb some of the creamy sauce from the beetroot salad and quickly become soft.
Swedish Meatball Sandwich Ingredients
Makes 2 open sandwiches
12 – 18 Swedish meatballs – You can use homemade meatballs or store-bought. IKEA sells ‘authentic’ Swedish meatballs frozen. the number of meatballs you will need depends on the size of bread that you use.
The meatballs can be served hot, cold, or at room temperature.
1 Cup /200g Beetroot Salad – store-bought or homemade beetroot salad
2 Slices Bread – Use your favorite bread, lightly toasting if necessary.
Optional:
Butter – a thin layer of butter helps to prevent the bread from getting soggy.
Pea shoots, finely chopped chives, or parsley to garnish
Method
1. Prepare your meatballs. If you use leftover meatballs, you can use them cold or at room temperature. If you use store-bought or frozen meatballs, you will need to cook them first until piping hot. You can make your sandwich using the hot meatballs or allow them to cool first.
2. Place the slice of bread on a plate and add a light layer of butter if using.
3. Carefully heap some beet salad on the sandwich and balance the meatballs on top. You can, if you prefer, use meatball halves. Garnish if you wish using a little fresh parsley, some finely chopped chives or some fresh pea shoots.
Variations
Add a layer of dill pickles between the bread and beetroot salad for a little extra flavor.
You’ll sometimes find Swedish meatball sandwiches served with a sprinkle of crispy onions on top.
Got a winning combo for the perfect köttbullemacka? Let us know in the comments below!!
Swedish Meatball Sandwich recipe – Köttbullemacka
Ingredients
- 12 Swedish meatballs -You can use homemade meatballs or store-bought. IKEA sells ‘authentic’ Swedish meatballs frozen. They should be cooked first and can be served hot, chilled or at room temperature. If using a large slice of bread or a baguette you may need a few extra meatballs.
- 1 Cup Beetroot Salad -Choose between store-bought or homemade beetroot salad.
- 2 Slices Bread -Use your favorite bread, lightly toasting if necessary.
Optional
- Butter -A thin layer of butter helps to prevent the bread from getting soggy, depending on which bread you choose.
To Garnish
- Pea shoots, finely chopped chives, or parsley.
Instructions
- Prepare your meatballs. If you use leftover meatballs, you can use them cold or at room temperature. If you use store-bought or frozen meatballs, you will need to cook them first until piping hot. You can make your sandwich using the hot meatballs or allow them to cool first.
- Place the slice of bread on a plate and add a light layer of butter if using.
- Carefully heap some beet salad on the sandwich and balance the meatballs on top. You can, if you prefer, use meatball halves. Garnish if you wish using a little fresh parsley, some finely chopped chives or some fresh pea shoots.
Notes
- Wholegrain rye bread is a traditional bread in Sweden, sometimes called ‘kavring’. Its distinct flavor is difficult to describe, but it holds up well without getting soggy.
- White bread is okay, though I suggest lightly toasting it as it can quickly soften and fall apart. If you have bread that is a few days old, this is a great way to use it up! Because it’s an open sandwich, you will likely use a knife and fork anyway, but who likes soggy bread?
- Thickly sliced bread, like white rye rounds. Called ‘Rågkusar’ in Sweden, they are thick yet soft and hold up well for this sandwich. A thick slice of sourdough bread makes a delicious sandwich.
- Swedish hard bread, or ‘knäckebröd’, is useful as you don’t need to have fresh bread on hand. However, you will need to use your hands rather than a knife and fork, and it’s therefore a good idea to not pack to much onto each sandwich.
- Baguettes or a long French roll are easy to pick up at supermarkets and bakeries in Sweden, but you would be hard-pressed to find a soft hoagie roll. A meatball sub is useful if you want to make this sandwich ‘to go’, as you can use your hands to eat the sandwich.
Nutrition
Please note:
This nutritional information is an estimate and values may vary. It is for guidance only and should not be considered dietary advice.
I hope you enjoy this recipe! If you have any questions you can leave them here in the comments and I’ll answer them as best I can!
Holly xx
These are so simple and delicious!
They’re really satistying right?! I’m so glad you enjoyed them too!