You Can Now Enjoy IKEA’s Famous Meatballs Even While at Home

Furniture giant IKEA closed down most of its stores across the globe as a precautionary measure against the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes stores all over the United States, the United Kingdom, and even Singapore. Meanwhile, its e-commerce platform continues to be up and running, so that’s good news. 

But here’s the even better news: Ikea recently shared the recipe for its iconic Swedish meatballs! Yup, you can have a dose of this cult favourite even if you’re stuck at home. Looks like the food gods have heard the cry of IKEA patrons all over the world. After all, this dish is an absolute must-try for every trip to IKEA.

Now, everyone has the chance to recreate these world-famous Swedish meatballs — thanks to a six-step recipe that IKEA published. The online recipe card is even designed quite like the instructions for putting together a piece of IKEA flat-pack furniture. How cool is that? 

Image credit: IKEA UK Official Twitter Page

Recipe for the Swedish meatballs

Whip up these delicious goodies at home with just eight ingredients! It’s easy to make, so you can easily have one at any time of the day. 

Ingredients:

• 500g beef mince
• 250g pork mince
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 clove of garlic (crushed or minced)
• 100g breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 5 tablespoons of milk (whole milk)
• Salt and pepper for seasoning (to taste)

Steps:

1. Combine beef and pork mince then mix with your fingers to break up any lumps. Add finely chopped onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, and egg, and mix again. Then add milk as well as with salt and pepper.
2. Shape mixture into small, round balls. Place on a clean plate, cover and store in the fridge for two hours. This will help in holding the shape while cooking.
3. In a frying pan, heat oil on medium heat. Once hot, gently add the formed meatballs and Swedish cream sauce (separate recipe below) on all sides.
4. Once browned, add to an ovenproof dish and cover. Place in a hot oven (180°C conventional or 160°C fan). Then cook for a further 30 minutes. 

Recipe for the Swedish cream sauce

Of course, the Swedish meatballs wouldn’t be complete without the thick, savoury cream sauce! This too only needs eight ingredients.

Ingredients:

• ⅛ teaspoon of oil
• ⅓ cup butter
• ⅓ cup plain flour
• 150mL vegetable broth/stock
• 150mL beef broth/stock
• 150mL thick double cream
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Steps:

1. Melt the butter in a pan. Then flour and stir for about two minutes.
2. Add both vegetable and beef broth/stock, then continue stirring.
3. Add double cream, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard. Bring it to simmer and allow the sauce to thicken.
4. Once everything is ready, serve with creamy mashed and/or boiled potatoes. Enjoy!

Also read: 13 Yummy Microwave Recipes That Are Easier Than You Think

“We know that some people might be missing our meatballs, which is why we’ve released an at-home alternative which, using easily accessible ingredients, will help those looking for some inspiration in the kitchen,” said Lorena Lourido, country food manager of IKEA UK.

Image credit: Karl Baron

It’s nice to see brands like IKEA heeding their consumers’ call for new and interesting things to do during quarantine. In a time when a homebound lifestyle is the new normal, it always helps to have more things to help us cope! So, this Swedish meatballs recipe definitely makes staying at home a bit easier and more enjoyable. 

Excited to try this recipe and dig in? So are we. Don’t forget to share all about it afterwards!