IKEA meatballs go vegan! Swedish furniture giant finally launches a plant-based alternative to its famous dish, made from yellow pea protein, oats, potatoes, onion and apple
- IKEA is set to launch a vegan version of its meatballs from next month
- Pea protein alternatives will be available from bistro and food hall on 3rd August
- Restaurant will be serving the treat with mashed potato and cream from October
- IKEA says it has same great taste as famous pork and beef balls with just four per cent of the carbon footprint
IKEA is set to launch a vegan version of its much-loved meatballs in a bid to be more sustainable.
The Swedish furniture giant will sell the plant-based treat in its food halls across the UK from 3rd August.
Developed with the purpose to recreate a meatball without the meat, plant balls are made from yellow pea protein, oats, potatoes, onion and apple and, according to the retail giant, have just four per cent of the climate footprint of the original version.
IKEA is set to launch a vegan version of its famous meatballs in a bid to be more sustainable. The Swedish furniture giant will sell the plant-based treat (pictured) in its food halls across the UK from 3rd August
IKEA say the meat-free meal is suitable for meatball lovers, flexitarians, vegetarians and vegans alike and has the same taste as its classic beef and pork dish.
Plant balls will also be available to purchase from Swedish Food Markets to cook and serve at home for £2.75 for a 500g bag from 3rd August.
Shoppers will also be able to pick up a portion of eight from the store’s bistro on the same date for £1.50.
IKEA’s restaurants will be serving the plant balls in the same way as the traditional meatball dish: with mashed potatoes, lingonberries, and cream sauce for the same price , but customer will have to wait until 26th October for the sit-down dish.
IKEA say the meat-free meal is suitable for meatball lovers, flexitarians, vegetarians and vegans alike and has the same taste as their classic beef and pork dish. Pictured: Ikea in Tottenham, north London
Hege Sæbjørnsen, Country Sustainability Manager, IKEA UK and Ireland, told FEMAIL: ‘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.’
Plant balls will also be available to purchase from Swedish Food Markets to cook and serve at home for £2.75 for a 500g bag from 3rd August. In restaurants, customers will be able to enjoy the new plant balls in the same way as the traditional meatball dish: with mashed potatoes, lingonberries, and cream sauce and at the same price of £1.50 for a portion of eight from 26th October
For those looking to enjoy other meat-free options, 50 per cent of the food range in IKEA restaurants is now plant-based or vegetarian.
The shift towards selling less meat is the latest move the furniture giant has taken in sustainability.
IKEA set out its People and Planet Positive strategy in 2018, announcing its ambition to become a fully circular and climate positive business by 2030.
The shop aims to reduce more greenhouse gas emissions than the IKEA value chain emits and ensure all products are made following circular design principles, as well as being made of renewable, recyclable and/or made of recycled materials.