IKEA Creates Vegan Version of Their Signature Meatballs

IKEA has created a vegan version of their signature meatballs and are offering them at their in-store restaurants worldwide.

The new veggie balls are offered as a non-meat alternative that is made only of vegetables (chick peas, green peas, carrots, corn, kale, and red bell peppers), while offering a decent amount of protein. In addition to being vegan, they're also gluten-free and soy-free.

Interestingly, rather than playing up the vegetarian/vegan angle, the chain described the move as "the first step to include a wider variety of nutritious and more sustainable food choices." Vegetables are generally more sustainable than meat as they take less resources to produce (given that often times we feed vegetables to the animals).

You can find a 10-veggie ball plate for $4.49 at IKEA restaurants in the U.S. (except Carson, CA). Starting June 30, 2015, they'll also be offering frozen bags of veggie balls as well as chicken balls in their food markets (also located inside the IKEA furniture stores).

Photo via IKEA.