Here is Johan Magnusson’s Swedish meatball recipe from Big Swede BBQ. In fact, it’s his mother’s recipe, featured in his book Badass Backyard Cooking, which I highly recommend.

Why call it the "Ikea meatballs recipe on steroids"? Because Johan Magnusson is Swedish—although he now lives in Arizona—and this recipe clearly has little in common with what you've tasted at Ikea!

I made it on an offset smoker, but as with all my recipes, you can prepare it on the BBQ of your choice.

📜 History:

Inspired by köttbullar, Swedish meatballs gained worldwide fame thanks to Ikea. This version is leveled up for smoke lovers and fans of homemade brown gravy.

⏱️ Timing:

  • Prep: 25 min
  • Cooking: 40 min
  • Total: 1h05

Ingredients

For the meatballs

1 kg ground beef and pork
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream (35%)
2 eggs
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp rub of your choice
1.5 onions
1 tbsp butter

For the sauce

2 cups heavy cream
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 beef bouillon cube
1 tbsp red currant jelly
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp flour

For the lingonberries

500 g frozen lingonberries
1/2 cup sugar

Instructions

  1. Brown the chopped onions in a pan with the butter.
  2. Mix the lingonberries with sugar, stirring every 15 minutes until the sugar dissolves.
  3. Combine all the meatball ingredients in a bowl and chill the mixture in the freezer for 1 hour so it’s very cold before shaping by hand.
  4. Wash your hands, dip them in cold water, and shape the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs (~40g each).
  5. Preheat your BBQ for indirect heat at 120–130°C (250–265°F). Add some wood chunks if you want smoke flavor.
  6. Once the BBQ is at temp, place the meatballs and the bowl of lingonberries on the grill. Close the lid and smoke for 30–40 minutes.
  7. Prepare the sauce: In a saucepan, melt 1 tbsp butter with 1 tbsp flour to make a light roux. Add the cream, bouillon cube, red currant jelly, salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Raise BBQ temp to ~200°C (390°F). After 5–7 min at this temp, place the saucepan in the BBQ and add the meatballs to the sauce.
  9. Let cook a few more minutes and serve hot.

🍷 Wine Pairings:

A light Pinot Noir or a dark German-style Dunkel beer pairs beautifully with the creamy, caramelized flavors of the dish.

🍽️ Serving Tips:

Serve hot in a deep plate, with mashed potatoes and a spoonful of candied lingonberries on the side.

🌀 Dietary Variations:

  • Gluten-free: Use GF breadcrumbs and gluten-free soy sauce
  • Vegetarian: Replace meat with a lentil-mushroom mix, and cream with a plant-based alternative

🧪 Nutritional Info (per serving):

Full Nutritional Values

Serving size: 1/6 of the recipe (Ikea-style meatballs)

Energy: 1063 kcal 🟥

Total fat79.8 g
  of which saturated fats36 g
  of which omega-30.25 g
Carbohydrates41.2 g
  of which sugars14 g
Fiber2 g
Protein42.3 g
Cholesterol180 mg
Salt1.07 g
Calcium120 mg
Iron4.2 mg
Vitamin B122.7 µg
💡
Is this recipe healthy? :
Very high in protein, iron, and vitamin B12 (great for immunity).
Contains fiber and antioxidants from onions and lingonberries.
Watch out: high in saturated fats (cream, meat, butter).
Added sugars (berries + jelly) should be limited for diabetics.
BBQ cooking: avoid charring the meatballs.

Health Insights: Cancer + Diabetes

🎗️ + 🔵 Click to expand

🧬 Cancer Prevention

✔️ Beneficial:

  • Onions: rich in protective sulfur compounds (quercetin, allium).
  • Lingonberries: antioxidants (vitamin C, flavonoids).
  • Spices: anti-inflammatory polyphenols.

⚠️ To monitor:

  • Red meat: large portion — limit frequency to reduce colorectal risk.
  • Saturated fats: cream and butter are pro-inflammatory in excess.
  • BBQ cooking: beware of charring (PAHs, heterocyclic amines).

✅ Tips: cook at low temperature and serve with green vegetables or salad.

💉 Type 2 Diabetes

✔️ Beneficial:

  • Protein: 42 g/serving = good satiety.
  • Glycemic index: moderate, few refined carbs.
  • Fiber: onions and lingonberries slow glucose absorption.

⚠️ To moderate:

  • Saturated fats: cream + butter may reduce insulin sensitivity.
  • Fast sugars: berries + sugar + jelly (~14 g/serving).

✅ Tips: reduce sugar, use lighter plant-based cream.

🔎 SummaryHealth GoalEvaluationCancer Prevention🟠 Moderate to risky with frequent consumptionType 2 Diabetes🟢 Generally suitable with sugar adjustments

A Quick Word About Swedish Meatballs

Swedish meatballs are small, flavorful meatballs served with a creamy sauce and potatoes—a beloved Swedish specialty known around the world.

The classic IKEA meatball recipe includes ground meat, milk, stale bread, onions, and spices such as nutmeg or pepper. The mixture is shaped into balls and pan-fried until golden.

The creamy sauce is essential to Swedish meatballs. It's typically made with cream, beef broth, onions, butter, and sometimes mustard or lingonberry jam for a sweet touch.

Swedish meatballs gained worldwide popularity thanks to the Swedish furniture giant IKEA, which serves them in its cafeterias around the globe. However, many restaurants and home cooks have also embraced this Swedish classic in their own menus.

These meatballs are often considered a comforting dish, perfect for family meals or friendly gatherings. They're easy to make and can be customized to individual tastes by adjusting the spices or using different types of meat.

In short, Swedish meatballs are a traditional and widely loved dish from Swedish cuisine. With their tender texture and creamy sauce, they make for a heartwarming, crowd-pleasing meal.