IKEA is celebrating 50 years in Australia, and they’re doing it in the most delicious way imaginable – by combining their world-famous Swedish meatballs with a classic Aussie party pie. 

As any IKEA devotee knows, a trip to one of these megastores is not just about wandering through a sea of desk chairs and soft furnishings before you find the shower curtains. It’s also about shoring up those shopping-energy reserves with a trip to the IKEA restaurant beforehand… followed by some impulse purchasing in the food section afterwards. And there’s no IKEA food product that’s more beloved than their meatballs. More than three million portions of them were sold in Australia in the last financial year alone; more than 100 million portions have been sold here since IKEA launched them in 1985. 

As a way to say thank you to this nation of meatball fiends, IKEA will be throwing a party-pie party this Saturday, May 31. The mega-retailer will be giving away Swedish meatball party pies to customers at all 10 Australian IKEA stores. 

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What is the IKEA Meatball Party Pie?

The IKEA Meatball Party Pie is filled with the ingredients of a traditional IKEA meatball, mixed with a tasty gravy inside a flaky-crust pastry, all topped with a dollop of Swedish lingonberry jam. A plant-based option made with the IKEA plant ball will also be on offer. IKEA hot dogs will also be getting in on the party action, with hot dogs being sold for just 50 cents on Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1.

Both the meatball and plant ball party pies were created in partnership with an existing local IKEA supplier, Loftus Pies, based in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire.

“We were so excited when IKEA Australia first approached us with this idea, and the creation  process has been a remarkable experience for us, especially with the level of secrecy involved”, said John Tsoutsas, chief pie officer at Loftus Pies. “The meatball pie is certainly not something we’ve done before, so we spent time with the IKEA food team perfecting the recipe for the right amount of meatball to gravy to pastry, so the textures and flavours combined in just the right way. 

“Australians are very particular about their pies, but we can’t wait for people to taste them! We’re convinced customers are going to want them on the menu, even after the party is over.” 

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How do I get a free IKEA Meatball Party Pie?

Visitors to IKEA can try the limited-edition IKEA Meatball Party Pie by showing their IKEA Family membership in-store on Saturday, May 31, while stocks last. Customers who aren’t already members can sign up to IKEA Family for free online through the IKEA website or via the IKEA app.  

IKEA Family members can also score 50 percent off the iconic POÄNG armchair in-store and online from 12am Thursday, May 29 to 11:59pm Monday, June 2.

For more info on IKEA Australia’s 50th anniversary celebrations, head to the IKEA website. 

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