Ikea Swedish Meatballs (Copycat Recipe)

I plan my IKEA trips around lunch or dinner time so I can stop in the cafeteria and get an order of its Swedish Meatballs. They are popular for a reason! Now that I live far from an IKEA store I’ve recreated them at home with this simple recipe.

Tender, juicy, and full of flavor, these IKEA Swedish Meatballs are a delicious homemade version of the ones you get from the famous furniture store. Serve them over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes with some of the luscious, savory gravy for a hearty and comforting meal the whole family will love.

A plate of mashed potatoes topped with meatballs and gravy, served with cranberry sauce, a bread roll, a wooden spoon, and a drink in the background.

IKEA Swedish meatball copycat recipe

If you’ve ever been to one of the IKEA stores, chances are you’ve hit up their IKEA restaurant and savored those famous meatballs in that dreamy, creamy sauce. Now, with this copycat recipe, you can bring that magic home with just a handful of ingredients and a few simple steps. These homemade Swedish meatballs are just as tender, juicy, and flavorful as the original recipe. They’re super quick to whip up, so you can enjoy them anytime you want without the trip to the store.

Serve these delicious Swedish meatballs over a plate of fluffy mashed potatoes topped with some of the rich, luscious gravy. Add a little bit of cranberry or lingonberry sauce on the side, just like they do at the restaurant, and you’ll have the perfect at-home version of this beloved IKEA classic. Tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor, this meatball recipe will be a new family favorite.

If you love meatballs, you should also try these Slow Cooker Meatballs and these tasty little Meatballs Sliders.

Why We Love This Meatball Recipe

Authentic flavor – These meatballs have the same classic taste of IKEA’s famous Swedish meatballs.
Easy to make – With basic ingredients and simple stovetop steps, this is the perfect recipe for busy weeknights.
Tender and juicy – Using ground beef and pork is the perfect combination that ensures each meatball is tender, juicy, and full of flavor.
Great for any occasion – Whether it’s for a family meal at home, potluck or special occasion, these meatballs are always a great option.

Swedish Meatball Ingredients

Ingredients for Ikea Swedish Meatballs including ground meat, breadcrumbs, milk, butter, egg, seasoning, flour, broth, and cream are arranged in bowls on a white surface.

Ground meats – Ground beef and ground pork create flavorful and juicy meatballs.
Seasonings – A simple combination of onion powder, garlic salt, salt, and black pepper enhances the flavors of meatballs.
Breadcrumbs – Adds texture and structure to the meat mixture, ensuring the meatballs hold together while staying tender.
Egg – Helps bind the meat mixture together for perfectly shaped meatballs.
Milk – Adds moisture to the meat mixture, keeping the texture of the meatballs soft.
Unsalted butter – Used to make the rich and smooth roux for the creamy gravy.
Flour – Combined with butter to create the roux, which thickens the sauce to the perfect consistency.
Vegetable stock – Thins the gravy and adds depth of flavor to the sauce.
Beef stock – Intensifies the gravy’s savory taste, complementing the meatballs beautifully.
Heavy cream – A key ingredient to creating the iconic Swedish cream sauce, making it rich, velvety, and irresistibly delicious.

How to Make IKEA’s Famous Swedish Meatballs

Step One: Make the Meatball Mixture

First step in preparing Ikea Swedish Meatballs is to mix ingredients in a metal bowl containing raw ground meat, breadcrumbs, an egg, salt, and pepper.

In a large bowl combine the beef, pork, onion powder, garlic salt, pepper, salt, egg, breadcrumbs and milk.
Once the meatball mixture is all combined roll the meat into small balls, about 1 inch or so.

Step Two: Cook The Meatballs

Next step in preparing Ikea Swedish Meatballs is to fill a stainless steel bowl filled with raw ground meat prepared for cooking, on a marble countertop.

Heat a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Working in batches cook the meatballs in the hot skillet.
You want to cook the meatballs for about 8 minutes turning frequently until golden brown on all sides and cooked through.
Remove the cooked meatballs from the frying pan and set aside.

Step Three: Make the Sauce

Makin a sauce for Ikea Swedish Meatballs. In a silver saucepan on a white marble countertop with melted butter and flour bubbling.

Wipe the pan out and return back to the stove. In the pan, over medium heat, melt the butter and whisk in the flour.
Cook the all purpose flour mixture for 1 minute.
Slowly whisk in the vegetable stock, then the beef stock. Whisk until the mixture comes back up to a bubble.
Whisk in the heavy cream, and bring back up to a bubble to thicken.

Step Four: Serve and Enjoy

A skillet of Ikea Swedish Meatballs covered in a creamy beige sauce. The skillet has a gray handle and is placed on a white marble surface.

Serve your IKEA meatballs with some of the creamy gravy over mashed potatoes

Suggestions and Alternatives

Meats – For a lighter option, substitute ground beef and pork with ground chicken or ground turkey.
Breadcrumbs – Swap the regular breadcrumbs for Panko breadcrumbs or pork panko. You can also use gluten-free breadcrumbs if you prefer.
Cream – Add a tangy twist to the creamy sauce with a little Greek yogurt or sour cream.
Broths -If you don’t have vegetable and beef stock, you can use a good quality veggie and beef broth. Chicken broth can add a different depth of flavor and can be used in place of beef stock.
Sauce Add-Ins – Feel free to add other flavors to the sauce with some soy sauce, a little Dijon mustard, or a splash of Worcestershire sauce.
Cranberry Sauce – IKEA serves their tender meatballs with lingonberry jam, but if you cannot get your hands on that, I like to just use whole berry cranberry sauce. Another sweet and tart option that pairs wonderfully with the savory meatballs is raspberry preserves.
Seasonings – You can add chopped parsley or dill to the meatball mixture for a fresh flavor.
Vegetables -For a totally different version, you can mix in some chopped sautéed mushrooms or caramelized onions.
Cheese – Mix grated Parmesan cheese into the meatball mixture for added richness. You can also melt Swiss cheese over the meatballs for a cheesy twist.

A plate with Ikea Swedish Meatballs on mashed potatoes, drizzled with gravy, cranberry sauce, and a bread roll.

How Do You Store Ikea Meatballs?

Store any leftover meatballs and gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When reheating, gently warm them on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through.

Can You Freeze This Recipe?

You can, but it’s best to freeze the meatballs without the gravy, because the creamy sauce can separate and change texture when frozen. Place the cooked meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw the meatballs in the refrigerator overnight and reheat them in a freshly made batch of gravy on the stovetop.

Tasty Ways to Enjoy These Meatballs

Mashed potatoes – Serve the meatballs over fluffy mashed potatoes for the ultimate cozy dinner.
Rice – Pair the meatballs with steamed rice to soak up all the delicious gravy, making for a comforting dish.
Vegetables – If you want to lighten things up you can serve the meatballs with a side of steamed or sautéed green beans, a simple salad or roasted vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and Brussels sprouts.
Sub-style – Make a Swedish meatball sub by placing the meatballs and gravy on a toasted sub roll, topped with a bit of cheese.
With pasta: Serve the meatballs and gravy over egg noodles or your favorite pasta for a delicious twist on traditional spaghetti.
Appetizer: Enjoy the meatballs as a tasty appetizer or snack, perfect for dipping in the creamy gravy.

Where did IKEA’s Meatballs originate?

IKEA meatballs, also known as Swedish meatballs or “köttbullar,” were first introduced to IKEA’s food courts in the 1980s to give customers a taste of traditional Swedish dishes.

Why are my meatballs falling apart?

Meatballs can fall apart if the mixture is too wet or if there’s not enough binder. Make sure to use the right amount of breadcrumbs and egg, and avoid overmixing the meat.

Can I use frozen meatballs for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen meatballs. Just make sure to thaw them before adding them to the gravy and heat them thoroughly. Keep in mind they will not have the same unique flavors and texture as the ones you get at the IKEA Swedish restaurant.

How do I make sure my meatballs are done?

To ensure your meatballs are cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 160°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, just cut one open to check that it’s no longer pink in the center.

Can I make the meatballs in advance?

Yes, you can make the meatballs in advance. Cook them and let them cool before storing them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Then just whip up a batch of the sauce before serving.