Ikea Swedish Meatballs Recipe

For some things, we will travel. From Chicago, our closest IKEA is about forty minutes away. Even if we don’t need a new bookshelf or any kitchen supplies—on countless occasions—my family will venture out to the big-box retailer in the suburbs solely for its delicious Swedish Meatballs (and perhaps to pick up some random items from candles to caviar). But since COVID-19, we aren’t going anywhere and we can say, we are missing those savory meatballs. To our surprise, companies are releasing their unique recipes (Disney just released their churro bites and we’ve been making Harry Potter’s Butterbeer for a while now).

IKEA just released their Swedish Meatballs recipe so that we could make the iconic meal at home, along with the cream sauce (that makes the meatball in our humble opinion!). “Staying at home can be hard, but we want to help make everyone’s lives that little bit easier and more enjoyable,” said Lorena Lourido, country food manager at IKEA. “Bon appétit or, smaklig måltid, as we say in Sweden!”

IKEA meatballs at home

Here’s the full recipe:

Ingredients: Meatballs

  • 1.1 pounds /500 g. beef mince
  • Slightly more than 1/2 pound/250 g. pork mince
  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 1 clove of garlic (crushed or minced)
  • 3.5 ounces/100 g. breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 5 tablespoons of milk (whole milk) 
  • generous salt and pepper

Ingredients: Cream Sauce

  • Dash of oil
  • 1.4 ounces/40 g. butter
  • 1.4 ounces/40 g. plain flour
  • 5 fluid ounces/150 ml vegetable stock
  • 5 fluid ounces/150 ml beef stock
  • 5 fluid ounces/150 ml thick double cream 
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

How to Make (Serves 4)

  1. Meatballs: Combine beef and pork mince and mix with your fingers to break up any lumps. Add finely chopped onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg and mix. Add milk and season well with salt and pepper.
  2. Shape mixture into small, round balls. Place on a clean plate, cover and store in the fridge for 2 hours (this will help them hold their shape whilst cooking).
  3. In a frying pan, heat oil on medium heat. When hot, gently add meatballs and brown on all sides. 
  4. When browned, add to an ovenproof dish and cover. Place in a hot oven (350 F or 180 C) and cook for a further 30 minutes.
  5. Iconic Swedish cream sauce: Melt butter in a pan. Whisk in plain flour and stir for 2 mins. Add vegetable stock and beef stock and continue to stir. Add double cream, soy sauce and Dijon mustard. Bring it to simmer and allow the sauce to thicken.
  6. When ready to eat, serve with your favorite potatoes — either creamy mash or mini new boiled potatoes. Enjoy!