IKEA turns 50 in Australia with a meatball party pie you didn’t know you needed

What do you get when you cross a Swedish icon with a beloved Aussie snack? A meatball party pie—and IKEA is serving them up for free this Saturday.

To celebrate 50 years down under, IKEA has created the Meatball Party Pie, a golden, flaky mash-up of its famous Swedish meatballs and Australia’s favourite party food. Topped with a dollop of sweet lingonberry jam and available in both meat and plant-based versions, the pie will be given away to IKEA Family members on Saturday, May 31, in all ten stores nationwide.

The recipe was co-developed with Sydney’s own 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,” said John Tsoutsas, Chief Pie Officer.

“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.”

This culinary combo isn’t just for laughs—Australians take their pies (and meatballs) seriously. Last year alone, IKEA sold over 3 million plates of meatballs in Australia.

“Australians have embraced our food as much as our high quality, affordable home furnishings in the last 50 years. 54% of Aussies have eaten at IKEA at some point in their lives…the Meatball Party Pie is a fun, flavour-packed way to celebrate that,” said IKEA’s Country Food Manager, Tim Prevade.

The pies are just one part of a four-day celebration kicking off Friday,  May 30. Also on the menu:

• 50 cent hot dogs on Saturday and Sunday
• 50 per cent off the iconic POÄNG armchair (for IKEA Family members)
• In-store giveaways and activities

To claim a pie, just flash your IKEA Family membership in-store on Saturday (sign-ups are free via the IKEA website or app). Supplies are limited—so get in early or risk major FOMO.

Picture: supplied