Swedish Meatballs (IKEA Copycat)

This Swedish Meatballs (IKEA Copycat) recipe brings the delicious flavors of IKEA’s famous dish right to your kitchen. Made with tender beef and pork meatballs, they’re coated in a rich, creamy gravy made from beef broth, cream, and a blend of spices. Served with mashed potatoes or lingonberry sauce, these meatballs are a comforting, savory meal that’s perfect for any occasion. Enjoy the iconic taste of IKEA in the comfort of your own home!

Craving IKEA’s famous Swedish Meatballs? Now you can enjoy them at home with this easy copycat recipe!

These tender, juicy meatballs are coated in a rich, creamy gravy and served with comforting mashed potatoes or tangy lingonberry sauce.

Perfect for a cozy dinner or a special meal, this recipe brings the iconic taste of IKEA right to your kitchen!

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

• Authentic IKEA Flavor: This recipe recreates the classic taste of IKEA’s Swedish Meatballs, so you can enjoy that familiar comfort food experience right at home.
• Creamy Gravy: The rich, velvety gravy that coats the meatballs adds a comforting, savory element to the dish, making it even more delicious.
• Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe is easy to follow and perfect for both beginners and experienced cooks.
• Customizable: You can adjust the seasoning and add your favorite sides, like mashed potatoes or lingonberry sauce, to make the dish your own.
• Family-Friendly: This meal is a hit with both kids and adults, making it a great option for family dinners or gatherings. Everyone will love the tender meatballs and savory gravy!

Ikea Meatballs Ingredients

• Ground Beef and Ground Pork: A mixture of the two meat types makes a flavorful and delicious meatball. Sometimes this is referred to as meatloaf mix in the meat department in your local grocery store.
• Egg: Binds the meatballs together.
• Onions: Use diced fresh onions for the best flavor.
• White Sandwich Bread: This is the secret ingredient to moist and delicious Ikea Meatballs.
• Seasonings: Salt, Black Pepper, Allspice, and Ground Nutmeg

How To Make Ikea Copycat Swedish Meatballs

Step One: Add the ground beef, pork, egg, onions, sandwich bread, and seasonings to a large bowl.

Step Two: Roll the meatballs or use a cookie scoop (about three tablespoons) of meat mixture. As you roll them, place them into the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer temperature to 350 degrees F, air fryer setting, and set cook time for 15-17 minutes.

Plate of Ikea cooked meatballs.

Step Three: While the meatballs are cooking, make the sauce for the Swedish meatballs. Add the butter, all-purpose flour, beef broth, and heavy cream to a small saucepan.

Step Four: Simmer, continue to whisk, bring to a slight boil, and cook for another 8-10 minutes until the sauce thickens.

To Serve: Plate your cooked meatballs, and drizzle them with the sauce.

Ikea Copycat Swedish Meatballs Recipe Tips

• Low-Carb or Keto-Friendly: If you want to make this dish lower in carbs, you can use almond meal or keto bread. Both options will work. Add enough almond meal, until the consistency is of meatballs.
• Size: Make sure that all of the meatballs are about the same size, so that they cook up at the same time.
• Crowding: To get these meatballs to correctly cook up, be careful to leave plenty of room around the meatballs in the air fryer basket. This way they cook up to perfection.
• Flipping: Depending on what air fryer you own, you may need to flip the meatballs halfway during the cooking process, so both sides cook up evenly.
• Making Swedish Meatballs In An Air Fryer Oven: If you want to make these in an air fryer oven, place them on the bottom rack or shelf, so the inside and outside cooking up at the same time.

Storing and Freezing:

• How To Store: Store your Swedish meatballs in an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store the sauce in a different container.
• How To Reheat: Either reheat the meatballs in the air fryer, or add the meatballs and sauce to a small saucepan, and heat until warmed through.
• How To Freeze: You can either freeze the Ikea Swedish Meatballs uncooked or cooked. Place the uncooked meatballs onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, and freeze until frozen solid. Remove the frozen meatballs and place them into a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. They will last for about 2 to 3 months. You can freeze the cooked meatballs, let them cool to room temperature and then place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and freezer until frozen solid. Then transfer the frozen meatballs to a freezer-safe container. they will last for 2 to 3 months.
• How To Reheat: For best results, thaw the meatballs overnight in the refrigerator, and then cook as directed in the recipe below.

Copycat Ikea Swedish Meatballs Recipe Faqs

What are the main ingredients in IKEA Swedish meatballs? The main ingredients include ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, egg, milk, and allspice. The meatballs are typically served with a creamy gravy made from butter, flour, beef broth, and heavy cream.

Can I make IKEA Swedish meatballs at home? Yes, you can make IKEA Swedish meatballs at home using readily available ingredients. The recipe involves mixing the meatball ingredients, forming the meatballs, and baking or frying them before serving with the traditional creamy gravy.

How do I get the meatballs to hold their shape? To help the meatballs hold their shape, mix the ingredients thoroughly but avoid overworking the meat mixture. Chilling the formed meatballs in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before cooking can also help them maintain their shape during cooking.

What is the best way to cook IKEA Swedish meatballs? You can either bake or fry the meatballs. Baking them on a greased baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes is a healthier option. Frying them in a skillet with some oil until browned on all sides is another traditional method that adds more flavor.

How is the gravy made for IKEA Swedish meatballs? The gravy is made by creating a roux with butter and flour, then whisking in beef broth and heavy cream until the mixture thickens. Season with soy sauce and Dijon mustard for added depth of flavor.

Can I freeze IKEA Swedish meatballs? Yes, you can freeze the meatballs. Cook them fully, allow them to cool, and then freeze them on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer-safe container. They can be reheated in the oven or on the stovetop with the gravy.

What can I serve with IKEA Swedish meatballs? Traditional accompaniments include mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam, and steamed vegetables. You can also serve them with egg noodles, rice, or a fresh salad.

Are there any variations to the classic IKEA Swedish meatballs recipe? Some variations include using ground turkey or chicken instead of beef and pork, adding different spices, or incorporating grated cheese into the meat mixture for added flavor.

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