Have you ever tried Ikea meatballs in one of their stores? They’re a go-to dish for many families, a favourite among both adults and kids. But what makes them so loved? Everyone adores meatballs – especially when they’re juicy, served with creamy mashed potatoes or chips, and smothered in rich, creamy sauce. Who could resist such a comforting plate of goodness?
As a family with kids in the UK, we’ve been to Ikea plenty of times and each visit included enjoying their famous meatballs together. So, when Ikea shared their official recipe, I knew I had to try making them at home. It turned out to be surprisingly easy! The best part of homemade meatballs? You can tweak the recipe to suit your family’s taste perfectly. Let me show you how I make them!
My Homemade Ikea Meatballs Recipe
Ingredients for the Meatballs:
- Beef mince (5%) – I prefer lean beef and balance the fat content with pork.
- Pork mince (12%) – Adding pork keeps the meatballs juicy; using only lean meat can make them dry.
- Onion, finely chopped
- Garlic, minced
- Breadcrumbs – I like to toast bread slices and blend them into fresh breadcrumbs using a food processor, but shop-bought is fine for convenience.
- Egg – to bind everything together
- Whole milk – for moisture and tenderness
- Salt and pepper – for seasoning
- Olive oil – for frying
Making the meatballs
Mix all the ingredients together with a dash of olive oil in a large bowl. The best way is to use your hands (wear food-grade gloves) to ensure everything is well combined. To make uniformly sized meatballs, I use a cookie scooper – it helps to portion the mixture evenly and shape the balls nicely.
Place the rolled meatballs on a tray lined with baking paper, cover with cling film, and refrigerate for at least two hours. This helps the meatballs firm up, but if you’re prepping ahead, leaving them longer is perfectly fine.
Cooking the meatballs
Once the meatballs are chilled, heat a flat pan over medium heat, add a little olive oil and fry the meatballs until browned all over.
Transfer them back to the baking tray and bake in a preheated oven at 160°C (fan-assisted) for 30 minutes.
Creamy sauce recipe (Ikea-style)
Ingredients for the creamy sauce
- Butter – for richness
- Plain flour – to thicken the sauce
- Chicken stock, vegetable stock or beef stock – I prefer chicken stock for a balanced flavour.
- Double cream – for a silky texture
- Soy sauce – for depth of flavour
- Dijon mustard – for a subtle tang
Making the creamy sauce
Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the plain flour and whisk quickly to form a roux without lumps. Gradually pour in the chicken stock while whisking continuously until the mixture thickens to a smooth consistency.
Stir in the double cream, soy sauce and Dijon mustard. Whisk until the sauce comes to a gentle boil, then simmer for another minute before turning off the heat.
Serving the meatballs
Plate up a few meatballs with creamy mashed potatoes (I often mix regular potatoes with sweet potatoes for a lovely sweetness and a pop of colour). Add a side of green vegetables – like stir-fried broccoli and mushrooms, which you can cook using the same pan from frying the meatballs for extra flavour. Finally, pour a generous amount of creamy sauce over everything.
Why you’ll love this Homemade Ikea Meatballs Recipe
- Easy and Fun to Make: Simple steps and ingredients you probably already have.
- Family-Friendly: Loved by both kids and adults – perfect for a family meal.
- Customisable: Adjust the seasoning, sauce and sides to suit your family’s preferences.
- Comfort Food at Its Best: Creamy, juicy and satisfying – what’s not to love?
Will you give it a go?
This Homemade Ikea Meatballs recipe brings the flavours of the iconic Swedish dish to your table, with the added joy of making it yourself. It’s a warm, hearty meal that never fails to make everyone happy.
So, what do you think? Will you give it a go and recreate these famous meatballs at home? Let me know how it turns out!
Love meatballs? Try my other tasty meatball recipes!
Meatballs in shiitake mushrooms
Pork Rib and Meatball Noodle Soup
Homemade Ikea Meatballs: A Family Favourite Recipe
Description
Juicy, tender meatballs served with creamy sauce and mashed potatoes - this homemade Ikea-style recipe brings comfort food to your table, loved by both kids and adults.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
For the Creamy Sauce
Instructions
-
Make the Meatballs
- In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients for the meatballs. Use your hands (with gloves) to combine thoroughly.
- Scoop up portions with a cookie scooper or a spoon and roll into uniform balls.
- Place on a tray lined with baking paper, cover, and refrigerate for 2 hours.
-
Cook the Meatballs
- Heat a pan with olive oil over medium heat.
- Fry the meatballs until golden brown on all sides.
- Transfer to a baking tray and bake in a preheated oven at 160°C (fan-assisted) for 30 minutes.
-
Cook the Meatballs
- Heat a pan with olive oil over medium heat.
- Stir in the flour and whisk to form a roux.
- Gradually add the chicken stock, whisking until smooth.
- Add the double cream, soy sauce and Dijon mustard, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens.
- Simmer for another minute, then remove from the heat.
-
Serve
- Plate the meatballs with creamy mashed potatoes or chips and a side of green vegetables.
- Drizzle generously with the creamy sauce.
