Contents
Discover the heartwarming taste of Finland with this authentic Lihapullat recipe! These traditional Finnish meatballs, served with creamy mashed potatoes and rich brown sauce, are perfect for cozy family dinners or meal prepping.
Equipment
- Skillet (preferably cast iron)
- Saucepan
- Potato masher
- Mixing bowls
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 400 g lean ground beef (10% fat)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 handful of fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 cup sour cream
- 0.4 cup oatmeal
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ½ tsp ground allspice
- Butter for frying
For the Mashed Potatoes:
- 800 g floury potatoes (e.g., Russet)
- 0.8 cup cream
- 50 g butter
- 1 tbsp salt
For the Brown Sauce:
- 60 g wheat flour
- 60 g butter
- 4 cups hot mild beef broth
- 1 tsp salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Meatballs:
- Peel and finely chop the onion. Sauté it in butter until translucent.
- Mix the oatmeal and sour cream, and let swell for 10 minutes.
- Add the sautéed onion, parsley, egg, salt, black pepper, and allspice to the oatmeal-sour cream mixture.
- Add the ground beef and mix thoroughly into a smooth dough.
- Let the meatball mixture rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- With moistened hands, shape the dough into small round meatballs.
- Fry the meatballs in butter until golden brown and cooked through.
Mashed Potatoes:
- Peel and chop the potatoes into chunks.
- Boil them in salted water until tender.
- Drain and mash the potatoes until smooth.
- Stir in cream and butter until creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt if needed.
Brown Sauce:
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture turns a dark brown color.
- Gradually add the hot beef broth, stirring vigorously to avoid lumps.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer gently for about 15 minutes.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Notes
If you love hearty, comforting food, you're going to adore Lihapullat, the Traditional Finnish Meatballs! 🥰In Finland, meatballs are a beloved dish, found on nearly every family's dinner table. Every household has its own version, often passed down through generations — making every bite a little taste of history. 📜 Interestingly, Finland and Sweden share a deep culinary connection when it comes to meatballs, known as "köttbullar" in Swedish. The first known mention of meatballs actually appears in a Danish cookbook from 1703! 📖
Meatballs evolved even further when King Charles XII of Sweden brought flavors he discovered in the Ottoman Empire back home in the 18th century. Meanwhile, in Finland 🇫🇮, the earliest meatball recipes date back over 260 years, showing just how loved this dish truly is.
🍴 Cooking Methods for Lihapullat
When making Finnish meatballs, you have two main methods:- Traditional Pan-Frying 🥘: Classic and gives that irresistible crispy surface. Plus, you can make the brown sauce right in the same pan — soaking up all the delicious roasting aromas!
- Easy Oven-Baking 🔥: Quicker when you're making a big batch. Bake at 225°C (437°F) for about 10–15 minutes until golden brown.
Frozen meatballs are perfect for quick meals: pasta dishes, sandwiches, hearty soups, or snacks!
📝 Traditional Finnish Meatballs (Lihapullat) Recipe
Serves 4 people🥩 Ingredients for the Meatballs:
- 400 g (14 oz) lean ground beef (10% fat)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 handful of fresh parsley, chopped very finely 🌿
- 2.5 dl (1 cup) sour cream
- 1 dl (0.4 cup) oatmeal
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ½ tsp ground allspice
- Butter for frying
👩🍳 How to Make the Meatballs:
- Prepare the onion: Peel and finely chop the onion. Sauté it gently in butter until translucent. 🧅
- Mix oatmeal and sour cream: Combine and let swell for about 10 minutes.
- Combine ingredients: Add the sautéed onion, parsley, egg, salt, black pepper, and allspice into the oatmeal-sour cream mix. Stir into a smooth seasoning blend.
- Add the ground beef: Mix well until you have a smooth dough. Let it rest in the fridge for about 30 minutes. ❄️
- Shape the meatballs: Moisten your hands with cold water and roll the dough into small, even balls.
- Fry until golden: Fry in butter until they are beautifully browned and cooked through. 😋
🥔 Perfect Mashed Potatoes
Nothing complements meatballs better than buttery, creamy mashed potatoes!🥔 Ingredients:
- 800 g (28 oz) floury potatoes (e.g., Russet)
- 2 dl (0.8 cup) cream
- 50 g (3.5 tbsp) butter
- 1 tbsp salt for boiling water
🧈 How to Make Mashed Potatoes:
- Peel and chop the potatoes into chunks.
- Boil in salted water until soft.
- Drain, then mash until smooth.
- Stir in the cream and butter until silky. Add extra salt to taste. 🧂
🍖 Classic Finnish Brown Sauce
A rich brown sauce is the soul of Finnish meatballs! 🥄🍲 Ingredients:
- 60 g (½ cup) wheat flour
- 60 g (¼ cup) butter
- 1 liter (4 cups) hot mild beef broth
- 1 tsp salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
🍛 How to Make Brown Sauce:
- Melt the butter in a saucepan.
- Add flour and stir constantly until the mix turns dark brown — patience is key! 🍂
- Slowly add the hot beef broth while stirring vigorously to prevent lumps.
- Simmer gently for about 15 minutes until thick and velvety. Season with salt and black pepper.
🌟 Serving Suggestions
Serve your Finnish meatballs with:- Pickled red beets 🥗
- Lingonberry jam 🍓
- Pickles 🥒
- Fresh grated carrot salad 🥕 (with lemon juice and raisins — Grandma’s special!)
❤️ Why You’ll Love Lihapullat
- Deep comfort food from Finnish heritage 🇫🇮
- Easy to make and freezer-friendly ❄️
- Perfect for family meals, meal prep, or casual dinners 🍴
- Full of history, warmth, and love 🏡
Sounds delicious! Will definitely try this recipe sometime. Thanks for sharing!