Sometimes I go to IKEA just because I’m hungry for Swedish Meatballs. Yes, it’s true!
Do you remember the first time you ate them?
My first IKEA experience was back in the spring of 1999, when I was living near my sister and her husband in Illinois. I was newly engaged to my extra-tall (he’s 6′-7″), dark, and handsome Blake, and we were planning our wedding for later that same fall. The ceremony was set to take place outdoors, on my parents’ farm in South Dakota. A small intimate immediate-family-only wedding, with more family and friends invited to celebrate after the ceremony. It was to be casual to the core, with picnic tables, a pig roast, and dancing to a dj’s tunes in the garage.
My vision for the evening’s reception included tiki torches lit along the length of the driveway, with twinkle lights strung overhead in the garage and zig zagging through the front yard’s autumn tree limbs. There would be galvanized lanterns hanging from the trees, too, illuminated by simple white tea lights. (Little did we know our day would actually consist of pouring down rain!) My sister suggested we visit the nearby IKEA in Schaumburg (IL), to pick up all the goods to make our wedding plans happen. And that’s when Blake and I came face to face with the famous Swedish meatballs of IKEA…
Blake and I moved to Minnesota after we were married, and lucky for us, an IKEA opened up here just a few years later. And while we continue to enjoy both the shopping and the meatballs at our local store, I also wanted to be able to create that meal at home. Over the years, I’ve tried a few recipes for Swedish meatballs. Some came close to IKEA fame. Others fell drastically short. But this recipe, right here, is one that I’ll hold onto for sure.
The meatballs are small and perfectly tender and flavorful. And the rich and creamy gravy, poured over whippy mashed potatoes, is whisked up from scratch…oh so worthy of licking your plate for. But the really beautiful part? A big spoonful of lingonberry jam, with all its contrast in tartness and hue. It makes our IKEA meal replication at home complete.
Ingredients
- 1-1/4 c. breadcrumbs
- 3 c. low sodium beef stock, divided
- 4 T. unsalted butter, divided
- 1 c. minced onion
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 lb. ground pork
- 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 3 T. soy sauce, divided
- 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp. sugar
- 1/4 tsp. ground allspice
- 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
- 3/4 c. sour cream
- 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
Preparation
Mix breadcrumbs and 1/2 cup beef stock in a small bowl. Set aside.
Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until completely soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. Transfer onion to a large bowl.
Add beef, pork, eggs, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, black pepper, sugar, allspice, and nutmeg to the bowl with onion mixture, mixing with your hands to blend. Fold in breadcrumb mixture. Using a 1 tablespoon measure, roll meat mixture into balls and then transfer to a rimmed baking sheet.
Using the same skillet (no need to wash it, just wipe it out with a paper towel), place it over medium-low heat. Add 1 tablespoon butter. Working in 3 batches and adding 1 tablespoon of butter between batches, brown meatballs on all sides, about 8-10 minutes per batch. Transfer meatballs to a plate. Drain all but 2 tablespoons of drippings from skillet. Whisk in flour until a smooth paste forms, and the paste is lightly browned. Stir in remaining 2-1/2 cups beef stock and turn the heat up just a bit, to medium. Bring beef stock to a simmer, whisking often. Add sour cream, Worcestershire, and remaining 2 tablespoons soy sauce, and whisk to incorporate. Return meatballs to pot. Cover and simmer until meatballs are cooked and everything is nice and hot, about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir gently to coat meatballs. Serve with fluffy mashed potatoes and lingonberry preserves.
Source
Very heavily adapted from bon appetit magazine, September 2011.
I long to go to IKEA one of these days! Of course my wallet and my husband prefer that I don’t! Until then I will enjoy your meatballs, they are a family favorite!
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen recently posted..Pomegranate Ricotta Toasts with Honey & Rosemary
The hubs and I are TOTALLY guilty of going to IKEA just for the meatballs… though we always manage to walk out of there with something else, too. Last time it was a couch and a throw.
These looks scrumptious!!
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough recently posted..bread & butter
Wait, Ikea has food too? I’m totally missing out! These look amazing, Brenda!
Cassie | Bake Your Day recently posted..Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Cassie, you are totally missing out!! yum cinnamon rolls too! Sheila
Sheila recently posted..Chocolate Stout Beef Stew
We love Swedish Meatballs! Yours look amazing….drool. We do not, sadly, have an IKEA nearby. But when we are on road trips we often seek out IKEA for lunch or dinner. It’s so cheap and so yummy!!!
Sheila recently posted..Chocolate Stout Beef Stew
I’ve only had the fabulous breakfast at Ikea. Your meatballs look delicious and now I don’t have to make the two-hour round trip into the city to try Ikea’s!
Paula recently posted..Happy New Year Sweepstake!
I with the other people who have been to Ikea, but never new they had food there! Your recipe looks wonderful! I have not made Swedish Meatballs in year and years. Not because I don’t like them, just because I never think to make them and I am always on a low-fat, low cholesterol diet by doctor’s order. So they just don’t make it into the weekly cooking meals ever. I may have to splurge though and try these!
Oh, and I made your homemade granola recipe for some of my family members for Christmas and they LOVED it! I had a little bag for myself and I LOVED it too! Thanks for sharing that recipe! It is a keeper for sure.
I’m so glad you liked the granola, Donna – thanks for letting me know!
When I lived around an IKEA I never tried their meatballs! It wasn’t until we were in Dallas visiting family last year that I had some, and now I crave them all the time!
Heather @ Heather’s Dish recently posted..5 Things I’ve Learned…From Being a Daughter
I’ve honestly never had Swedish meatballs and for whatever reason they don’t make me think of Ikea… instead now I’ll have the Swedish chef stuck in my head all day
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel recently posted..Cinnamon Swirl Bread
The Swedish chef makes me smile.
As soon as I saw the jam on that plate my mouth began watering (for real)! I’ve never had jam with swedish meatballs but the combination sounds a – ma – zing. Great recipe, Brenda!
kristy @ the wicked noodle recently posted..beef short ribs {braised in red wine until fall-apart tender}
Amazing meatballs, the whole family would love this.
Erika @ The Hopeless Housewife recently posted..Holiday Kids’ Party Food!
Thanks, Erika!
Thank you so much for this recipe! I love Ikea’s meatballs but most recipes I’ve found are too complicated. I will definitely be trying this one. I am blessed to have an Ikea nearby but don’t have time to go there too often.
Mmm, we always have to stop and grab a bite to eat when we’re at IKEA! Love these!
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction recently posted..Chocolate Chip Yogurt Oat Muffins
So, can I tell you…. I’ve NEVER been to IKEA. And can I also say, it brought a smile to my face that they have delish meatballs. This looks and sounds SO good on this COLD winter’s night.
Kim | At Home With Kim recently posted..Morning Moments
I think I might have visited and IKEA once in my life… I’m not totally possitive on that. And if I did go there, I was probably like 10. I always thought IKEA was a furniture store, but I never hear about furniture being bought there; I always hear about the food people go there for. It’s very confusing. Either way, these meatballs look absolutely yummy!
Becca from Cookie Jar Treats recently posted..Garlic Rolls
I’m pretty sure I haven’t met a meatball I didn’t like.
Paula – bell’alimento recently posted..Sweet Potato Bisque
I’ll have to try these! I’ve only made these once but didn’t care for them. Your recipe looks much better!
Amanda recently posted..Slow Cooker Barbecued Country Style Ribs
Looks deelish but you don’t mention when to incorporate the Worcestershire sauce??
Hi Lisa! Add it along with the sour cream. Thanks, hope you like it!
I have to get the meatballs every time we go to IKEA too! Yum!
I was just at Ikea last week, but unfortunately did not have the meatballs! I’ll have to make yours instead.
I’ve had the meatballs at IKEA a few times. They’re good, but if you want meatball perfection, try the ones at FIKA at the American Swedish Institute. Juniper-spiced with potato puree and lingonberries–absolute perfection!
Shel recently posted..Free mini kit: Moments in Time
Thanks for the tip, Shel. I’ve never been to the ASI, but just spent a good amount of time on their site. Looks like a great place to explore. And eat Swedish meatballs!
Thank you for reminding me of those meatballs at IKEA! I used to take my girls, when they were little (now they’re bigger than I am), to play in the ball pit and then for lunch. Your meatballs look just as tasty. I’ll let you know when I try them.
Teresa
I totally love IKEA! (and their meatballs) My grandmother is from Sweden, and used to make us delicious homemade meatballs. Now that she is getting older, we eat them far less frequently. *sniff sniff* She does her from memory and by feel, so it’s nice to have some kind of recipe to start from! Thanks for this!
Jen @ Jen’s Favorite Cookies recently posted..Trail Mix Cookies
I’m totally making these for my mom! I vividly remember her taking us to IKEA just to eat Swedish meatballs – she’s going to love this!
Ashley – Baker by Nature recently posted..Roasted Beet Salad with Kale, Grapefruit, and Goat Cheese
Okay don’t faint but I have never been to an Ikea store. Unfortunately the nearest one is 4 hours inland of me. Did I mention inland {no waves, no hubby}
I will however try your Swedish Meatballs because they look dreamy. xoxo
Shari | Tickled Red recently posted..Green Olive & Pimento Hummus {Giveaway}
I love Swedish Meatballs! My mom used to make them when we were growing up. Thanks for taking me on a walk down memory lane and for sharing yet another yummy recipe.
Kelly recently posted..Score a Touchdown with Rubbermaid
Blake is extra tall. It’s always fun to see people taller than Ole, and Blake makes Ole look like a midget at 6’5″. Of course, it doesn’t help that he’s so thin either, and Blake is decidedly not.
I love the picture you drew of your wedding. I have to say your meatballs looks ten times better than the Ikea version.
Shaina recently posted..Looking Back on 2012 to Look Into 2013
These sound great! I understand the beef stock and the butter being ‘divided’, but why is the soy sauce ‘divided’?
Hi There,
Made these tonight and they were delicious! It was a perfect meal on a cold, crisp day.
Thank you for sharing.
I’m so glad you liked these, Carrie – thank you for coming back to let me know!
I made these on Saturday for dinner and they were soo good we had the leftovers on Sunday. I didn’t add the sour cream and we didn’t miss it. The worcestershire and soy sauce added great flavor. Thanks for the great recipe!
Thank you for coming back to let me know. I’m so glad you liked these meatballs!