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IKEA Shares Their Iconic Meatballs Recipe And It Consists Of Only 6 Steps
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IKEA Shares Their Iconic Meatballs Recipe And It Consists Of Only 6 Steps

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Meatballs are great. But IKEA meatballs are a godsend! For those of you Pandas who have tried IKEA meatballs, you know what I’m talking about. And for those of you who haven’t had the pleasure of supping on these divine morsels, these tiny pieces of heaven, well, things are about to change.

IKEA published their recipe for how to make their delicious meatballs at home. Since a lot of us are stuck at home during the quarantine, now’s a great time to sharpen our cooking skills. And what better way to do it than with the perfect recipe that’s bound to make most people happy?

As we all could have expected, the Swedish furniture giant’s recipe went viral and people are ecstatic to have some quarantine meatballs on their tables. Scroll down for the full recipe and for Bored Panda’s interview with IKEA UK!

More info: IKEA.com | Twitter | Instagram

These are IKEA’s iconic Swedish meatballs that most of us know intimately

Image credits: IKEAUK

“The IKEA meatball recipe was developed back in 1985. Founder Ingvar Kamprad enlisted the help of famed chef Severin Sjöstedt to perfect the recipe. Severin was so determined to get it right he spent the best part of 10 months in his kitchen!” a representative of IKEA UK told Bored Panda about the origins of IKEA’s awesome meatballs in their food halls.

IKEA got the internet excited when it posted a recipe for making its meatballs at home!

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Image credits: IKEAUK

“IKEA meatballs have become an essential part of the IKEA shopping experience and were developed with passion and care. The now-famous dish is a true IKEA icon, just as known as the BILLY bookshelf or the KLIPPAN sofa. As Ingvar Kamprad, IKEA founder, put it: ‘It is tough to do business with hungry stomachs.’” Truer words have never been spoken. All I can think of right now is a big plate of Swedish meatballs.

Here is the recipe. IKEA’s meatballs are very easy to make

Image credits: IKEAUK

Image credits: IKEAUK

Image credits: IKEAUK

Image credits: IKEAUK

Image credits: IKEAUK

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Image credits: IKEAUK

Image credits: IKEAUK

Image credits: IKEAUK

“With the UK facing at least three more weeks of lockdown, we wanted to do something that would help bring a smile to people’s faces, and given that we know how much customers love our meatballs, we thought to release a meatballs recipe so people can have a go creating their own, could help to provide a little culinary inspiration,” the IKEA representative revealed what inspired them to share the recipe.

“Seeing people spend the extra time at home getting creative, be it by redesigning rooms or cooking up a storm in the kitchen, is wonderful—we want to help as many people as possible fall in love with their home all over again, and having a go recreating their favorite dish is just one way of achieving that.”

“Bon appétit or, smaklig måltid, as we say in Sweden!”

“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,” Lorena Lourido, country food manager at IKEA in the UK and Ireland, said in a press release.

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“Staying at home can be hard, but we want to help make everyone’s lives that little bit easier and more enjoyable. Bon appétit or, smaklig måltid, as we say in Sweden!” she added.

The pandemic had closed all 22 of IKEA’s stores in the UK last month. Fortunately, some of their food halls are now reopened so that essential workers and the vulnerable can pop by for a quick but filling meal.

Swedish meatballs are traditionally served with potatoes, lingonberry jam, and cream sauce. According to IKEA, the lingonberry sweetness contrasts and harmonizes with the meatballs, while the cream sauce serves as a “mediator between the two.

Here’s how ecstatic some people were about the recipe!

Image credits: sampottorff

Image credits: girlnarly

Image credits: HeyRowanEllis

Image credits: Greeblehaus

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Image credits: mathdenton

Here’s IKEA’s recipe for meatballs written out for your convenience, dear Pandas. Are you ready to start cooking?

This recipe makes between 16 and 20 meatballs and CNN was kind enough to write it all out.

Ingredients for the meatballs:

  • 500 grams (1.1 pounds) ground beef
  • 250 grams (slightly more than ½ pound) ground pork
  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 1 clove of garlic (crushed or minced)
  • 100 grams (3.5 ounces) breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 5 tablespoons of whole milk
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Ingredients for the cream sauce:

  • Dash of oil
  • 40 grams (1.4 ounces) butter
  • 40 grams (1.4 ounces) plain flour
  • 150 ml (5 fluid ounces) vegetable stock
  • 150 ml (5 fluid ounces) beef stock
  • 150 ml (5 fluid ounces) thick double cream
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Here’s how you start making those fantastic Swedish meatballs:

Combine the beef and the pork mince and mix all of it thoroughly to break up any lumps. Add finely-chopped onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg and mix. Add milk and season well with salt and pepper. Shape the mixture into small, round balls. Place on a clean plate, cover and store in the fridge for 2 hours. This helps them hold their shape while cooking. In a frying pan, heat oil on medium heat. When hot, gently add your meatballs and brown on all sides. When browned, add to an ovenproof dish and cover. Place in a hot oven, 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius, and cook for a further 30 minutes.

Now, it’s time to make the cream sauce:

Melt the butter in a frying pan. Whisk in the plain flour and continue cooking, stirring continuously for 2 minutes. Add the vegetable stock and beef stock and continue to stir. Add the thick double cream, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard. Bring to a simmer and allow the sauce to thicken. Continue to stir. When ready to eat, serve with your favorite potatoes—either creamy mash or mini new boiled potatoes. And voilà, dear Pandas, we’re ready to start eating!

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Jonas Grinevičius

Jonas Grinevičius

Writer, BoredPanda staff

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Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

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Jonas Grinevičius

Jonas Grinevičius

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

Mindaugas Balčiauskas

Mindaugas Balčiauskas

Author, BoredPanda staff

Read more »

I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

Read less »

Mindaugas Balčiauskas

Mindaugas Balčiauskas

Author, BoredPanda staff

I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

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ju1ians avatar
Julian Sheppard
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why is it that the directions for meatballs are clearer then the directions to assemble furniture?

chinita_505 avatar
Carolina Marshall
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To me Ikea instructions are the Lego for adults, sometimes you have to start all over again because you misplaced a 'piece' or you can get lucky and build your masterpiece the first time around!

Load More Replies...
alexanderbrior avatar
Alexander Brior
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So they AREN’T made out of the people who get lost in the store?

veselina_zh avatar
xvslnx
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have never tried these meatballs at IKEA...it seems I have to now 😅

heatherdangerfield avatar
Danikah
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Am I the only person left who's never been in an ikea and never tried the meatballs? Despite living less than 5 minutes from one

thandeit avatar
Random Panda
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I tried them because of all the hype and imo it wasn't anything special. Not terrible, but not good either.

Load More Replies...
gfstaylor avatar
GFSTaylor
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can get 'Swedish meatballs' from my local supermarket. I don't think they do the cream sauce though, or lingonberry jam.

chimesstreet avatar
Tabitha L
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I need the lingonberry jam. Siggi's makes lingonberry skyr that is wonderful.

Load More Replies...
monika-soffronow avatar
Monika Soffronow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is not even a Swedish recipe for Swedish meatballs. And besides that, IKEA meatballs are an atrocity, a sorry imitation parading as the real thing. It is a no-no from me.

miriamemendelson avatar
jitka-zachova avatar
Pamela24
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Funny, I made them just yesterday with my own recipe that I put together long ago. :) I only missed the dijon, soy sauce and I add allspice to the meatballs and have always felt that was the thing that made them taste just like the ones from IKEA. Interesting.

earloflincoln avatar
Martha Meyer
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are those meatballs actually popular? I never liked köttbullar personally.

idrow avatar
Id row
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So much bread! Like their furniture, these meatballs are cheaply made.

bluekiwi696 avatar
Joe Blowe
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I highly doubt this is the actual recipe that IKEA uses, looks like a generic recipe. Also it is never a good idea for any company to release the recipe for the foods it is known for. Do you have any idea how much they make off of meatballs yearly?

hafida avatar
Hafida
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

What I now is that it’s not beef or pork they use. It’s horse meat. Saw this I a documentary

thandeit avatar
Random Panda
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If they used horse meat I doubt they would be hiding it. It's more expensive than beef or pork, because horse meat tastes better, it's not mass-produced the same way and is a healthier choice.

Load More Replies...
ju1ians avatar
Julian Sheppard
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why is it that the directions for meatballs are clearer then the directions to assemble furniture?

chinita_505 avatar
Carolina Marshall
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To me Ikea instructions are the Lego for adults, sometimes you have to start all over again because you misplaced a 'piece' or you can get lucky and build your masterpiece the first time around!

Load More Replies...
alexanderbrior avatar
Alexander Brior
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So they AREN’T made out of the people who get lost in the store?

veselina_zh avatar
xvslnx
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have never tried these meatballs at IKEA...it seems I have to now 😅

heatherdangerfield avatar
Danikah
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Am I the only person left who's never been in an ikea and never tried the meatballs? Despite living less than 5 minutes from one

thandeit avatar
Random Panda
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I tried them because of all the hype and imo it wasn't anything special. Not terrible, but not good either.

Load More Replies...
gfstaylor avatar
GFSTaylor
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can get 'Swedish meatballs' from my local supermarket. I don't think they do the cream sauce though, or lingonberry jam.

chimesstreet avatar
Tabitha L
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I need the lingonberry jam. Siggi's makes lingonberry skyr that is wonderful.

Load More Replies...
monika-soffronow avatar
Monika Soffronow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is not even a Swedish recipe for Swedish meatballs. And besides that, IKEA meatballs are an atrocity, a sorry imitation parading as the real thing. It is a no-no from me.

miriamemendelson avatar
jitka-zachova avatar
Pamela24
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Funny, I made them just yesterday with my own recipe that I put together long ago. :) I only missed the dijon, soy sauce and I add allspice to the meatballs and have always felt that was the thing that made them taste just like the ones from IKEA. Interesting.

earloflincoln avatar
Martha Meyer
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are those meatballs actually popular? I never liked köttbullar personally.

idrow avatar
Id row
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So much bread! Like their furniture, these meatballs are cheaply made.

bluekiwi696 avatar
Joe Blowe
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I highly doubt this is the actual recipe that IKEA uses, looks like a generic recipe. Also it is never a good idea for any company to release the recipe for the foods it is known for. Do you have any idea how much they make off of meatballs yearly?

hafida avatar
Hafida
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

What I now is that it’s not beef or pork they use. It’s horse meat. Saw this I a documentary

thandeit avatar
Random Panda
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If they used horse meat I doubt they would be hiding it. It's more expensive than beef or pork, because horse meat tastes better, it's not mass-produced the same way and is a healthier choice.

Load More Replies...
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