IKEA launches new meatless plant balls

Good news for those who don’t eat meat, but have always wanted to try IKEA’s famous meatballs.

The popular furniture store has announced it will be serving a plant-based alternative alongside its famous dish.

Dubbed the plant ball, IKEA’s latest menu option is made with pea protein, oats, potatoes, onion, and apples, and it still has the same taste and texture of the dish it was modeled after.

In addition to providing an alternative for those who don’t eat meat, the new plant ball is also less impactful on the environment—it has only 4 per cent of the climate footprint as the traditional meatball.

“We know that living more sustainably is top of mind for Canadians. With the new plant ball, we are proud to offer a healthy, delicious, affordable and sustainable alternative to the traditional meatball–at only four per cent of the climate footprint,” Danielle Beauchesne, country IKEA food manager, said in a news release.

“We are confident that the plant ball will convince even the most skeptical meat-eaters to enjoy plant-based alternatives,” she continued.

Canadians can try the new dish by picking up a bag of frozen plant balls at Swedish Food Markets, or by visiting IKEA restaurants (guests are encouraged to check online to see store hours and pandemic-related restrictions).