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Comforting, creamy, and packed with rich flavor, this copycat Ikea Swedish meatballs recipe brings the beloved store-bought classic straight to your table. Juicy meatballs made with a blend of beef and pork are baked until tender and topped with a smooth cream sauce that’s as satisfying as the original. You don’t need a shopping trip to enjoy these meatballs. With simple ingredients and easy steps, this dish is a hearty, family-friendly meal right from your own kitchen.
This copycat Ikea Swedish meatballs recipe features tender meatballs and a creamy sauce. It’s perfect for recreating the iconic meatballs dish at home.
You might also like Italian inspired French onion soup, slow cooker polenta, air fryer ham and cheese double-crust quiche, and Italian wedding soup.
Why You’ll Love It
Family favorite: A crowd-pleasing dish everyone will enjoy.
Rich and creamy: The sauce is smooth, savory and full of flavor.
Great for meal prep: Make a large batch and reheat for quick meals.
Comfort food classic: Perfect for cozy nights or special occasions.
Copycat Ikea Swedish Meatballs Ingredients
Ground beef: Provides a hearty, flavorful base for the meatballs.
Ground pork: Adds richness and moisture to the mixture.
Onion: Finely chopped to add sweetness and depth.
Garlic: Enhances the flavor with a savory punch.
Breadcrumbs: Help bind the meatballs and keep them tender.
Egg: Acts as a binder to hold the mixture together.
Whole milk: Adds moisture and richness to the meatball mix.
Butter: Creates the base for the creamy sauce.
All-purpose flour: Thickens the sauce to the right consistency.
Vegetable broth and beef broth: Combine for a well-rounded, savory flavor. This recipe for beef bone broth is a delicious option if you want to use homemade!
Heavy cream: Makes the sauce rich and velvety.
Soy sauce: Adds umami and depth.
Dijon mustard: Brings a subtle tang that balances the richness.
How to Make Swedish Meatballs Ikea Style
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Make the meatball mixture: Combine beef, pork, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, milk and seasoning in a large bowl.
Shape the meatballs: Form into 2-inch balls using a scoop or your hands.
Brown the meatballs: Sear in a hot pan until browned on all sides.
Bake the meatballs: Transfer to a wire rack and bake until fully cooked.
Make the sauce: Melt butter in a pan, whisk in flour, then add broths, cream, soy sauce and mustard. Cook until smooth and thickened.
Assemble the dish: Place meatballs in a dish, pour sauce over and garnish with parsley. Your meatballs and Ikea meatball sauce recipe is now ready to enjoy!
Substitutions and Variations
Use ground turkey: For a lighter version, swap out the beef and pork in this Swedish meatball recipe Ikea copycat.
Make it gluten free: Use gluten free breadcrumbs and flour.
Add herbs: Mix in fresh parsley or thyme for extra flavor.
Serve with mashed potatoes: A traditional and comforting pairing.
Serving Suggestions
With vegetables: Pair your Swedish meatballs Ikea copycat with bacon wrapped green beans or roasted Brussel sprouts. A fennel and asparagus salad would also go well.
With potatoes or pasta: Mashed potatoes, boiled potatoes, parmesan baby potatoes or your favorite pasta would be good, or perhaps some egg noodles.
More ideas: In Sweden, these meatballs are often paired with lingonberry jam (you could try blueberry jam instead!) plus a fresh parsley garnish.
How to Store Copycat Ikea Meatballs
Store: Keep leftover meatballs and Ikea meatball sauce in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Swedish meatballs are great for freezing. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: Warm them back up in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes (stirring halfway through) or in a saucepan over a medium heat.
Top Tips
Don’t skip browning: It adds flavor and helps the meatballs hold their shape.
Use a wire rack: This keeps meatballs from sitting in oil while baking.
Whisk the sauce well: To keep it smooth and lump free.
Taste and adjust seasoning: The sauce may need a pinch more salt or mustard depending on preference.
Copycat Ikea Swedish Meatballs FAQs
This recipe uses a mixture of ground beef and pork. You can use ground turkey, ground chicken, or any combination of these.
Yes, the meatballs can be shaped and stored in the fridge until ready to cook.
Copycat Ikea Swedish Meatballs Recipe
Copycat Ikea Swedish Meatballs Recipe
Equipment
- Ice Cream Scoop 2-Inch
- Skillet Large
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 Pound ground beef
- ½ Pound ground pork
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 Cloves garlic
- ¾ Cup breadcrumbs, plain, gluten free if needed
- 1 egg
- ¾ Cup whole milk
- 1 Teaspoon salt
- ½ Teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For the Cream Sauce
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- ⅓ Cup all purpose flour, all purpose or gluten free
- ¾ Cup vegetable broth
- ¾ Cup beef broth
- 1 Cup heavy cream
- 2 Teaspoons soy sauce
- 2 Teaspoons Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
Prepare the Meatballs
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, pork, chopped onion, crushed garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Once combined, add whole milk and use your hands to mix together thoroughly.
- Use a 2-inch ice cream scoop with a trigger to scoop perfect size meatballs. Or, use a spoon and form meat into 2-inch balls.
Cook the Meatballs
- Heat a skillet over medium high heat. Add meatballs and brown all sides. This should take about 5 minutes total.
- Place a wire rack over a baking sheet to allow oil to drip from the meatballs as they cook. Arrange meatballs on the wire rack. Place onto the center rack of the oven and cook for 30 minutes.
Prepare the Cream Sauce
- Heat a skillet over medium high heat. Melt the butter, then stir in the flour. Cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in the vegetable stock, beef stock, heavy cream, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard. Whisk well.
- Bring mixture to a boil then lower heat to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often.
Assemble and Serve
- Remove meatballs from the oven and add to a casserole dish. Pour cream sauce over the top and garnish with fresh parsley.
- Serve with egg noodles, potatoes or your preferred sides.
Notes
Use a wire rack: This keeps meatballs from sitting in oil while baking.
Whisk the sauce well: To keep it smooth and lump free.
Taste and adjust seasoning: The sauce may need a pinch more salt or mustard depending on preference.
Nutrition
This copycat Ikea Swedish meatballs recipe is cozy, filling and full of savory goodness. The creamy sauce pairs perfectly with the tender meatballs, giving you all the flavor of the original dish with the comfort of homemade cooking. This recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners, special occasions or whenever you’re craving something rich and satisfying. With simple ingredients and easy instructions, this Swedish meatballs recipe Ikea famed dish is one you’ll want to make over and over, and it’s easy to make them gluten free Swedish meatballs if you need them to be.
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
This was great! I will make it again.
No need to go to ikea whenever we crave for this! So so good! My husband liked your version too!