My Smart Trick for the Best Homemade IKEA Swedish Meatballs

My version is so easy to make and they're always gone in seconds.

By
Ali Ramee
Ali Ramee
Ali Ramee is a recipe developer and food stylist for Dotdash Meredith. A College of Charleston graduate with a communications major, Ali began her culinary career in the kitchens of chef Hugh Acheson in her hometown of Savannah, Georgia.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
and
Myo Quinn
Myo Quinn
Myo's recipes, writing, and food styling can be found on King Arthur Baking, Food Network, Delish, Food52, and more. She collaborated on the cookbook Delish Vegan Dinners and trained at Gramercy Tavern and Untitled at the Whitney Museum.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Published September 12, 2023
Bowl of copycat Ikea Swedish meatballs served over mashed potatoes, and in the surroundings, a table setting with a bowl of peas, a glass of water, and a sage table napkin

Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Hannah Greenwood

At the height of the pandemic, IKEA revealed their Swedish meatball recipe and the world found comfort in making them at home. As an IKEA fan, I too enjoyed them with mounds of mashed potatoes. And over time, I improved the recipe by adding one key ingredient and making it more quickly by skipping two steps.

When I made my version in our test kitchen, they were gone in seconds and my co-workers said the meatballs reminded them of IKEA's, but better.

These copycat IKEA Swedish meatballs are tender and deeply flavorful. The gravy is creamy and indulgent in the best possible way. You have to serve them on top of these perfect mashed potatoes and a dollop of lingonberry spread.

Cast iron skillet with copycat Ikea Swedish meatballs in gravy, and in the surroundings, a stack of plates with utensils, a small plate with minced herbs, and a sage table napkin

Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Hannah Greenwood

2 Tricks To Making My Copycat IKEA Swedish Meatballs

Make a Better Sauce: IKEA Swedish meatballs are a little different from classic Swedish meatballs because they do not call for nutmeg and include soy sauce in the gravy, which gives them a little warmth and flavor.

However, the sauce is too rich and tastes like it is missing something. This recipe includes Worcestershire sauce and a splash of pickle juice in the sauce for a bit of acidity to help cut through the richness.

A Quicker and Easier Recipe: IKEA's recipe calls for chilling the formed meatballs to help hold their shape while they cook. Then the meatballs are browned on a skillet and popped in the oven to finish cooking through. I did not find these steps necessary.

There is no need to chill the meatballs. As long as you don't disturb them as they brown—2 to 3 minutes per side—they won't get stuck to the skillet or fall apart. Be patient and lower the heat as needed if they start to burn. The goal is to give the meatballs some color, not to cook them through.

You don't have to finish cooking the meatballs in the oven either. After making the sauce, pop the meatballs into it and simmer until cooked through. This will save you time and from having to turn the oven on.

Bowl of copycat Ikea Swedish meatballs served over mashed potatoes, and in the surroundings, a table setting with a stack of plates and a sage table napkin

Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Hannah Greenwood

The Best Mashed Potatoes To Enjoy With the Meatballs

Copycat IKEA Swedish Meatballs

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 45 mins
Servings 8 servings

If your store doesn’t carry ground pork, you can use a total of two pounds 80/20 ground beef.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20)

  • 1 pound ground pork (See Recipe Note)

  • 1 medium white onion, finely chopped (3/4 cup)

  • 2 garlic cloves, minced (1 tablespoon)

  • 1/4 cup whole milk

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste

  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

  • 2 1/2 cups beef stock

  • 1 cup heavy cream

  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

  • 1 teaspoon dill pickle juice 

Method

  1. Make the meatballs:

    Combine the ground beef, ground pork, onion, garlic, milk, egg, panko breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Gently mix with your hands until just combined.

    Roll the mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls (about 2 tablespoons each), and place them on a large plate.

    Ground beef, ground pork, onions, eggs, panko breadcrumbs, and seasoning in a bowl for copycat Ikea meatballs recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Hannah Greenwood
    Copycat Ikea Swedish meatballs mixture in a bowl, all mixed together

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Hannah Greenwood
    Plateful of Copycat Ikea meatball mixture after formed into meatballs

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Hannah Greenwood
  2. Brown the meatballs:

    Heat the olive oil in a large cast iron or heavy-bottomed skillet set over medium heat. Add half of the meatballs and cook, turning them occasionally with tongs, until browned on all sides, about 8 minutes total. They will not be cooked all the way through.

    Meatball Falling Apart?

    The meatballs will release from the skillet when they are browned enough. Don't force them or they will fall apart. Give them 2 to 3 minutes per side without moving, adjusting the heat as needed so that they don't burn.

    Transfer the browned meatballs back to the plate, and cook the remaining meatballs. Do not wipe the skillet out—all those brown bits will add flavor to the sauce.

    Copycat Ikea meatballs browned on a cast iron skillet

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Hannah Greenwood
  3. Make the sauce:

    Melt the butter in the same skillet set over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and continuously whisk until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes.

    As you continue whisking, slowly add the beef stock and cream.

    Increase the heat to medium-high, and continue whisking and cooking the sauce until it comes to a gentle simmer. Then, whisk in the Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and pickle juice. Season to taste with more salt, if needed.

    Butter melting in a cast iron skillet for copycat Swedish meatballs recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Hannah Greenwood
    Flour whisked into the melted butter in the cast iron skillet for copycat Ikea meatballs recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Hannah Greenwood
    Sauce whisked together in the cast iron skillet for copycat Ikea Swedish meatballs recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Hannah Greenwood
  4. Add meatballs to sauce:

    Reduce heat to medium. Return the browned meatballs to the skillet. Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce thickens—it will coat the back of your spoon. Serve warm.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a review below!

    Cast iron skillet with copycat Ikea Swedish meatballs in gravy, and in the surroundings, a stack of plates with utensils, a small plate with minced herbs, and a sage table napkin

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Hannah Greenwood
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
549 Calories
37g Fat
17g Carbs
36g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 549
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 37g 47%
Saturated Fat 17g 86%
Cholesterol 169mg 56%
Sodium 635mg 28%
Total Carbohydrate 17g 6%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 36g
Vitamin C 2mg 9%
Calcium 100mg 8%
Iron 4mg 20%
Potassium 680mg 14%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.