We all know why we really go to IKEA – forget flat-pack furniture, it’s all about the half-time meatballs.
And now vegans can get in on the sanity-saving lunchtime treat, as the homeware store has announced it will be producing an animal product-free version that “looks and tastes like meat”.
The new meatball will be made with alternative plant-based proteins, and is set to be rolled out in all restaurants globally.
“We know that the IKEA meatballs are loved by many people and for years the meatballs have been the most popular dish in our restaurants,” said Michael La Cour, managing director at IKEA Food Services AB.
“We see a growing demand from our customers to have access to more sustainable food options and we want to meet that need. Our ambition is to make healthier and more sustainable eating easy, desirable and affordable without compromising on taste and texture.”
The Scandinavian store is consulting with “leading suppliers” to produce the meatballs, with the first customer-facing tests planned for early 2020.
IKEA has been serving up Swedish meatballs at its in-store restaurants – usually served with lingonberry jam, mashed potatoes and a cream sauce – for more than 35 years. The vegan edition is set to join the four versions currently available: the cult-favourite original, chicken, vegetarian and salmon and cod, a new pescatarian edition for 2018.
The UK restaurants also currently sell a vegetarian version of its hot dog in the UK, as well as a vegan beetroot brownie in its Greenwich store.
