IKEA has released the recipe for its iconic Swedish meatballs

There’s no more need to rush round your local IKEA just to stop off at its cafe and have your fix of its popular meatballs.

A wander around IKEA can be great, it’s nice to see what new things you can pick up to make your home a home. It’s also the perfect place to start if you’re moving into student digs, or even your first home.

However, after assembling one too many flat pack tables and drawers it can be nice to stay away from any reminders of those stressful times – and steer clear of the dreaded aisle altogether.

Back in 2020, the Swedish retailer revealed the ingredients and recipe to create its iconic meatballs during the Covid lockdowns, while everyone was stuck at home and missing a cheeky stop off at its cafe.

No more whizzing round and following the arrows, picking up a new kitchen accessory you didn’t know you needed and another new house plant along the way, just to have your plate of tasty meatballs smothered in a creamy delicious sauce – but, what a combo!

The home interiors chain put out a simple, six-step guide to keep us all busy making its ‘meatballs at home’.

Ingredients – Meatballs

Makes 16 – 20

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

Ingredients – Cream Sauce

• dash of oil
• 40g butter
• 40g plain flour
• 150ml vegetable stock
• 150ml beef stock
• 150ml thick double cream
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Meatballs

1. Combine beef and pork mince and mix thoroughly 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 (to help them hold their shape whilst cooking).
3. In a frying pan, heat oil on medium heat. When hot, gently add your meatballs and brown on all sides.
4. When browned, add to an ovenproof dish and cover. Place in a hot oven (180°C or 160°C fan) and cook for a further 30 minutes.

Iconic Swedish cream sauce

1. In a frying pan, melt 40g of butter. Whisk in 40g of plain and continue cooking, stirring continuously, for 2 minutes, allowing the flour to cook through. Add 150ml of vegetable stock and 150ml of beef stock and continue to stir. Add 150ml thick double cream, 2 teaspoons of soy sauce and 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard. Bring to a simmer and allow the sauce to thicken. Continue to stir.
2. When ready to eat, serve with your favourite potatoes – either creamy mash or mini new boiled potatoes.

So, if you’re not visiting your local IKEA store anytime soon but you fancy having its Swedish meatballs in the iconic creamy sauce, then you can just pop to the nearest supermarket and find everything you need to make your own.