Homemade IKEA Meatballs That Taste Better Than the Real Thing

So you’re craving those iconic IKEA meatballs, but the closest IKEA is an hour away, your gas tank is on E, and let’s be honest—you’re just not emotionally prepared to face the maze of Scandinavian furniture right now. I get it. But guess what? You can bring those juicy, savory, smothered-in-gravy beauties into your kitchen without arguing over shelf brackets.

Welcome to the meatball glow-up your dinner table has been waiting for.

Table of Contents

Why This IKEA Meatball Recipe Is Next-Level

Because it’s not just a copycat—it’s a glow-up. These homemade IKEA meatballs are:

Ridiculously juicy thanks to the perfect pork-beef combo
Drenched in a creamy, dreamy gravy that’s low-key addictive
Make-ahead and freezer-friendly (hello, weeknight hero!)
Way more satisfying than waiting in line behind 47 people holding flat-pack lamps

Plus, when your guests hear “Homemade IKEA Meatballs,” their eyebrows will shoot up like you just told them you built your own dresser with zero leftover screws.

Ingredients for Homemade IKEA Meatballs

Close-up of creamy homemade IKEA meatballs served on mashed potatoes with fresh parsley

For the Meatballs:

1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plain or panko both work)
1/4 cup whole milk
1 egg
1/4 tsp ground allspice (trust me)
Salt and pepper to taste
Butter or oil for frying

For the Gravy:

2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 cup beef broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste

Substitutions: Ground turkey if you’re cutting red meat, plant-based ground for a veg version, and oat milk + vegan butter if dairy’s not your jam.

Tools & Kitchen Gadgets Used

Make your kitchen life easier with these MVPs:

Mixing bowls (big enough for meat-mashing madness)
Cast iron skillet or nonstick frying pan
Slotted spoon
Measuring cups & spoons
Whisk (because lumpy gravy is a crime)
Food thermometer (optional, but we love accuracy)
Baking sheet (if you want to bake instead of fry)

How to Make Homemade IKEA Meatballs (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Make the Meatball Mixture

In a bowl, mix the breadcrumbs and milk. Let it sit for 5 mins (like a breadcrumb spa treatment).

Add beef, pork, chopped onion, garlic, egg, allspice, salt, and pepper. Get in there with your hands and mix until combined. Don’t overmix unless you enjoy rubbery meatballs.

Step 2: Roll the Meatballs

Scoop and roll into 1-inch balls. You should get about 20–24 meatballs. Chill them in the fridge for 30 mins so they don’t fall apart like your New Year’s resolutions.

Step 3: Cook ‘Em

Heat butter or oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs in batches until golden on all sides (they don’t have to cook through yet). Set aside.

Step 4: Make That Legendary Gravy

In the same skillet, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1–2 mins. Slowly add broth while whisking, then stir in cream, soy sauce, and Dijon.

Bring to a simmer, then add the meatballs back in. Cook on low for 10–15 mins, until the sauce thickens and the meatballs are cooked through.

Boom. Swedish dinner magic.

Calories & Nutritional Info (Per Serving – 5 Meatballs + Gravy)

Homemade Swedish meatballs in creamy brown sauce with mashed potatoes and jam

Calories: ~450
Protein: 22g
Carbs: 12g
Fat: 35g
Sodium: 580mg
Fiber: 1g

Not a health food, but also not a deep-fried butter stick.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overmixing the meat: It makes them dense. You’re making dinner, not bricks.
Skipping the chill time: They’ll fall apart like IKEA furniture with missing screws.
Lumpy gravy: Whisk like your life depends on it.
Too salty: With soy sauce and broth, taste before adding more salt.
Crowding the pan: This ain’t rush hour—cook in batches.

Variations & Customizations

Keto Version: Swap breadcrumbs with almond flour, and use heavy cream. Still dreamy.
Spicy Kick: Add red chili flakes or smoked paprika to the meat mix.
Vegetarian Twist: Use Beyond or Impossible meat, and veggie broth for the sauce. It still slaps.

FAQ About Homemade IKEA Meatballs

Q1: Can I bake the meatballs instead of frying? Yes! Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes. Then toss into the gravy like a boss.

Q2: What’s the best meat combo for IKEA meatballs? Half pork, half beef. Pork brings the fat, beef brings the flavor. Dream team.

Q3: Can I freeze them? Absolutely. Freeze cooked meatballs (with or without gravy) for up to 3 months.

Q4: Is the gravy the same as IKEA’s? Pretty darn close, but dare I say—better. Dijon and soy sauce are game changers.

Q5: Can I make these ahead? Yup. Make and refrigerate the raw meatballs a day ahead, or cook fully and reheat.

Q6: What should I serve these with? Mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam if you’re going full IKEA. Or egg noodles, rice, or just a fork.

Q7: Are these gluten-free? Not as-is, but sub in gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour and you’re golden.

Final Thoughts

Look at you, conquering Homemade IKEA Meatballs like a culinary Viking. No Swedish furniture store required, and you didn’t have to assemble a single Allen-wrenched screw.

Try it once, and you’ll wonder why you ever waited in that cafeteria line behind 15 kids screaming over meatball combos.