Making meatballs for everyone

The IKEA meatball is a taste of Swedish culture. But not everyone eats meat. So we talked to people from Asia, Europe and North America. What flavours do they like, what kind of culinary choices do they make? Then we created a vegetable ball. But to appeal to as many as possible, this was not enough. So we created a chicken ball, too. All varieties, together with the essential sidekicks of cream sauce and mashed potatoes, make the ALLEMANSRÄTTEN series.

Annika Dunnico helped develop the products. “If you’re flexitarian, vegan, have dietary needs based on cultural beliefs, or just want to have your pick. It’s every person’s right to be able to experience this traditional food from IKEA, no matter who you are,” says Annika. In addition to her favourite—the classic pork and beef meatball—she’s a big fan of one ball in particular. “I think the veggie ball is absolutely fantastic. You can do so many different things with it,” she says, going on to explain it was created to adapt well to different cultural cuisines like curry or BBQ.

Offering a more sustainable choice

Sustainability was a big reason Annika and her team developed new options, too. Meat production contributes to climate change, and one way to combat that is with our food choices. Eating vegetarian meals more often can have a positive impact on our environment. The chicken ball has a carbon footprint that’s more than five times lower than the classic meatball, and the veggie ball is even more climate friendly, with a carbon footprint 30 times lower. Both the chicken and veggie balls are also lower in fat and calories, making them healthier options too. “Even if you’re not vegan or vegetarian you may want these options,” says Annika. “People are just looking to find an appealing offer. We are world famous for our meatball, and now we’ve adapted it so everybody can enjoy it.”