IKEA is famous for its Swedish meatballs, which are served with a variety of tasty side dishes and condiments. The classic IKEA meatball meal includes meatballs, mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam, and cream sauce. But IKEA offers several options to customize your plate. Here’s an in-depth look at what they serve with meatballs at IKEA.
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are the staple accompaniment to IKEA’s meatballs. The mashed potatoes are made from potatoes, milk, and butter for a creamy, smooth texture.
The potatoes provide a neutral, starchy base that soaks up the rich gravy from the meatballs. The creaminess of the potatoes balances the tang of the lingonberry jam. Mashed potatoes are served warm, in a generous scoop next to the meatballs.
Lingonberry Jam
Lingonberry jam is a staple condiment at IKEA, paired with meatballs or enjoyed on its own. Lingonberries are a tart red berry, native to Scandinavia. The jam has a bright, tart, fruity flavor.
The sweet-tart lingonberry jam cuts through the richness of the meatballs and cream sauce. It provides a burst of fruit flavor to balance the savory components. Lingonberry jam comes in small plastic tubs for dipping meatballs or spreading on the mashed potatoes.
Cream Sauce
The cream sauce is the quintessential gravy for IKEA meatballs. It is made from a seasoned cream base, with hints of garlic, white pepper, and nutmeg. The sauce has a velvety, creamy texture that nicely coats each meatball.
This savory cream sauce adds moisture and ties all the components together in each bite. It provides a rich, comforting contrast to the tangy lingonberry jam. The cream sauce comes pre-drizzled over the meatballs when served.
Additional Side Dishes
In addition to the classic sides, IKEA offers some other options to customize your plate:
- Steamed vegetables – A healthy mix of fresh steamed veggies, like carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower.
- Coleslaw – Cool, crisp coleslaw made from shredded cabbage, carrots, and a tangy dressing.
- Garden salad – A basic green salad with lettuce, cucumber, tomato, and vinaigrette dressing.
- Roasted potatoes – Earthy, tender roasted potato halves, seasoned with herbs.
These additional fresh sides provide lighter complements to the rich meatballs. The variety of textures and flavors allows you to tailor your meal.
Complementary Sauces and Condiments
IKEA offers several sauces and condiments to allow customization:
- Lingonberry relish – A chunkier version with lingonberry pieces in a jammy sauce.
- Cranberry sauce – For a fruity, sweet-tart option instead of lingonberry.
- Mustard – Yellow mustard squeezed straight onto the meatballs or potatoes.
- Mayonnaise – For dipping fries or spreading on a sandwich.
- Barbecue sauce – For a smoky, tangy flavor profile.
- Ketchup – The classic condiment, enjoyed by kids and adults alike.
These sauces allow you to change up the flavors of your meal. You can stick with the traditional lingonberry jam or experiment with something new.
Beverage Options
To drink, IKEA offers:
- Fountain sodas – Such as Coke, Sprite, Fanta. Free refills!
- Iced tea
- Lemonade
- Coffee – Regular or decaf hot coffee.
- Juices – Apple, orange, cranberry.
- Milk – Great for kids!
- Sparkling water
- Beer and wine – Selected IKEA locations have beer and wine available.
Having a cold, refreshing beverage allows you to cleanse your palate between bites of the rich, hearty meatballs. The beverage options ensure all tastes are accommodated.
Desserts
While not exactly served “with the meatballs”, IKEA offers a nice selection of Swedish-inspired desserts to complement your meal:
- Lingonberry cake – Sponge cake with lingonberry jam filling.
- Chocolate cake – Rich, dense chocolate cake.
- Apple pie – Classic flaky crust with apple filling.
- Berry tart – Buttery shortbread crust with fresh berries.
- Cookies – Variety of sweet cookie options.
- Soft serve – Self-serve ice cream cone, a perfect post-meal treat.
These sweet, fruity desserts provide the perfect cap to a savory IKEA meatball meal. The desserts rely on fruit flavors like lingonberry, apple, and berry that echo the tart jam served with the meatballs.
Kids Meal Options
For kids, IKEA provides the following simple sides and drinks:
- French fries – Crispy, kid-friendly fries.
- Carrot sticks – Bite-size carrots, great finger food.
- Fruit cup – Bite-size pieces of fresh fruit.
- Chicken tenders – Breaded chicken strips, an alternative to meatballs.
- Grilled cheese – Gooey, kid-pleasing grilled cheese sandwich.
- Pasta with red sauce – Wide noodles with a kid-friendly tomato sauce.
- Mac and cheese – Elbow pasta in creamy, cheesy sauce.
- Milk – Essential beverage for kids.
- Juice boxes – Pre-packaged apple or orange juice.
IKEA provides a nice variety of simple, recognizable foods and beverages for kids. This allows them to enjoy a meal alongside their meatball-loving parents.
Vegetarian and Vegan Options
For vegetarians and vegans, IKEA offers:
- Veggie balls – Plant-based meatballs made from chickpeas, green peas, and pea protein.
- Mashed potatoes
- Steamed vegetables
- Garden salad
- Fruit cup
- Lingonberry jam
- Cream sauce (can be requested vegan)
- Apple pie (can be requested vegan)
The veggie balls provide a meatless alternative while maintaining the classic IKEA meatball flavor profile. Sides like salads and fruits cater to vegetarian and vegan diners.
Gluten-Free and Food Allergy Options
For gluten-free diners, as well as those with other food allergies, IKEA provides:
- Gluten-free meatballs
- Mashed potatoes (can be made gluten-free)
- Steamed vegetables
- Garden salad
- Fruit cup
- Dairy-free cream sauce (by request)
IKKEA aims to accommodate dietary restrictions by offering allergy-friendly options and modifications. Meals can be tailored to avoid ingredients like gluten, dairy, etc.
Conclusion
IKEA offers a variety of side dishes, condiments, and beverages to complement the beloved Swedish meatballs. From the classic mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam, to fun additions like barbecue sauce or coleslaw, there are abundant options to customize your perfect meatball meal.
Kids, vegetarians, and those with food allergies can all enjoy the fun IKEA cafeteria experience. Desserts like lingonberry cake and soft serve ice cream provide the cherry on top of a great IKEA dining experience!