IKEA Is Finally Launching Vegan Meatballs!

IKEA has some exciting news for vegans! Swedish furniture retailer announced that it is launching vegan 'plant balls' which taste just like their iconic meatballs.

The new meat-free balls are made entirely from plants and do not contain any animal-derived products. They're made from yellow pea protein, oats, potatoes, onion, and apple.

IKEA claims the brand new plant balls taste and look exactly like the traditional meatballs.

The chain warns that they become not vegan if you match them on a plate with mashed potatoes and cream sauce, so it's better to pair them with chips and some vegetables.

IKEA promotes the new dish as a 'more sustainable sibling to the much-loved meatball'. Veggie balls have just 4% of the environmental footprint of the traditional meatballs, which means that 24 veggie balls have the same footprint of 1 meatball. 

Hege Sæbjørnsen, Country Sustainability Manager, IKEA UK and Ireland, says: 

"At IKEA, we are committed to having a positive impact on people and the planet. In order to reduce the climate footprint of the total IKEA business, including our food business, and make climate-friendly, delicious food available for everyone, we are making sure meat alternatives are an easy, desirable and affordable choice. With the new plant ball, we can now offer meat lovers a great tasting, more sustainable alternative – without compromising on the IKEA meatball experience that is loved by so many."

The vegan plant balls are launching at IKEA's bistros on 3 August where they are priced at £1.50 for eight balls. They will also be available at IKEA Swedish food market priced at £2.75 for a 500g bag so you can cook them and serve them at home. 

From 26 October they will be available at all the restaurants.