There's something magical about IKEA Swedish meatballs recipe – those perfectly seasoned, tender little bites served with creamy gravy, lingonberry jam, and mashed potatoes. While a trip to IKEA is always an adventure, you can now recreate these beloved meatballs right in your own kitchen. This copycat IKEA Swedish meatballs recipe captures all the authentic flavors that have made these meatballs a global sensation, bringing that cozy Scandinavian comfort food experience home.
Why You'll Love This IKEA Swedish Meatballs Recipe
These homemade Swedish meatballs pay tribute to IKEA's famous version while letting you control the ingredients and portions. The combination of ground beef and pork creates incredibly juicy meatballs, while the traditional blend of spices – including allspice and nutmeg – gives them their distinctive Nordic flavor. Paired with the signature cream sauce, these meatballs make for a satisfying main dish that's perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests.
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Ingredients
the Meatballs:
- Gound beef (80/20)
- Ground pork
- Breadcrumbs
- Milk
- Egg
- Onion, finely diced
- Cloves garlic, minced
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Ground allspice
- Ground nutmeg
- Fresh parsley, chopped
the Cream Sauce:
- Butter
- All-purpose flour
- Beef broth
- Heavy cream
- Soy sauce
- Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Meatball Mixture
- In a large bowl, combine breadcrumbs and milk. Let stand for 5 minutes until the breadcrumbs absorb the milk.
- Add ground beef, ground pork, egg, finely diced onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper, allspice, nutmeg, and parsley to the breadcrumb mixture.
- Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure tender meatballs.
- Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and make the mixture easier to shape.
Form and Cook the Meatballs
- Shape the meat mixture into 1-inch meatballs (about 1 tablespoon each).
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Cook meatballs in batches, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through (about 8-10 minutes).
- Transfer cooked meatballs to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
Make the Cream Sauce
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until golden brown.
- Gradually add beef broth, whisking constantly to prevent lumps.
- Stir in heavy cream, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard.
- Simmer until sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Return meatballs to the skillet and simmer for 2-3 minutes to heat through.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these Swedish meatballs IKEA-style with:
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Lingonberry jam (traditional)
- Steamed vegetables
- Fresh dill garnish
- Cucumber salad
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Meatballs can be frozen (with or without sauce) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm gently in a covered skillet over low heat or microwave until heated through.
Recipe Variations
- Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour for the sauce
- Lighten it up by using half-and-half instead of heavy cream
- Try ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version (though the texture will be different)
- Add finely grated potato to the meatball mixture for extra moisture
Essential For IKEA Swedish Meatballs Recipe
- Large mixing bowl
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk
- Small ice cream scoop or tablespoon (for portioning)
The Secret Behind This Recipe
It started with a scent—warm, savory, and impossible to ignore. I was deep in IKEA, somewhere between throw pillows and flat-pack dreams, when the smell hit me: those legendary Swedish meatballs. I followed it like a trail of breadcrumbs to the food court, ordered a plate, and instantly understood the hype. But here's the secret—I couldn’t stop thinking about them. So I made it my mission to crack the code. After countless trials in my kitchen, I finally did it. This IKEA Swedish Meatballs Recipe is the result—rich, tender, and full of the magic that made me pause mid-shopping spree. Now, you don’t have to follow the scent. Just follow this recipe.
FAQ
What are the Swedish meatballs at IKEA made of?
IKEA Swedish meatballs recipe are made from a mix of ground beef and pork, blended with breadcrumbs, onion, egg, and seasonings. They’re served with cream sauce, mashed potatoes, and lingonberry jam.
Why do IKEA meatballs taste so good?
Their flavor comes from the perfect balance of beef and pork, spiced with nutmeg and allspice, then simmered in a rich, creamy gravy. Comforting, savory, and satisfying.
What is the jam they put on IKEA meatballs?
It’s lingonberry jam—a sweet-tart Scandinavian berry preserve that perfectly balances the savory flavors of the meatballs and creamy sauce.
What is the Swedish meatball scandal?
In 2013, IKEA briefly pulled their meatballs after traces of horse meat were found in some batches during European food testing. They quickly fixed the issue and improved sourcing.
Bringing Sweden Home: The Final Bite of Comfort
Bring a taste of Sweden into your home with these irresistibly tender IKEA Swedish meatballs recipe, smothered in that signature creamy gravy and bursting with comforting Nordic flavor. Whether you're craving a cozy weeknight dinner or planning a crowd-pleasing meal, this recipe checks all the boxes — hearty, nostalgic, and incredibly satisfying.
Love creamy, comforting dishes? Don’t miss our Creamy Chicken Carbonara Recipe for an Italian twist on rich, savory goodness. Or explore bold Mediterranean vibes with our Easy Chicken Artichoke Recipe both perfect complements to your next dinner menu.
Tried this recipe? Let us know in the comments how it turned out — and don't forget to snap a photo and tag us! Your kitchen adventure awaits, one delicious bite at a time.
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Pairing
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IKEA Swedish Meatballs Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Large mixing bowl For mixing meatball ingredients
- 1 Large skillet For browning meatballs and sauce
- 1 Measuring cups For accurate ingredient portions
- 1 Measuring spoons For spices and small amounts
- 1 Whisk To mix cream sauce smoothly
- 1 Ice cream scoop For evenly sized meatballs
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef 80/20 fat ratio
- 0.5 lb ground pork
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 0.5 cup milk
- 1 egg large
- 1 onion medium,finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground preferred
- 0.25 teaspoon ground allspice
- 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoon parsley fresh,chopped
For the Cream Sauce:
- 3 tablespoon butter
- 3 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Soak breadcrumbs
- Mix ingredients
- Chill mixture
- Shape meatballs
- Brown meatballs
- Make roux
- Whisk in liquids
- Simmer sauce
- Return meatballs
Notes
- Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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