25+ Scandinavian recipes from spritz cookies and cardamom buns to gravlox and aqua vit. Delicious comfort food, Nordic style!
Sure, you’ve baked spritz cookies during the holidays, and maybe you’ve had a Swedish meatball or two, (thanks Ikea), but do you really know what Scandinavian food is all about?
These 25 Scandinavian/Nordic recipes run the gamut from light, bright, and minimal all the way to uber cozy and comforting ~ and that’s what’s so exciting about Nordic cuisine, it’s got it all covered, and more. Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden have made an art out of cold weather cooking, and it’s what I’m craving as we head into the cooler months. If you happen to have some Scandinavian DNA, share your favorite recipes in the comments!
CHOPPED STEAK WITH BACON AND MUSHROOM GRAVY
This classic shopped steak skillet is a Danish recipe straight from Mormor’s kitchen. Served with a big plate of boiled parslied potatoes, this chopped steak is a meal fit for a (Viking) king.
FINNISH SALMON SOUP (Lohikeitto)
One of my favorite Nordic recipes, this pretty soup has a light creamy broth infused with dill and allspice, and of course, chunks of tender salmon. I make a quick fish stock, which is essential for the flavor, using the salmon skin. Waste not want not 🙂
SWEDISH CARDAMOM BUNS (KARDEMUMMABULLAR)
Swedish Cardamom Buns is a classic Scandinavian recipe ~ they’re soft, plush sweet rolls with a fragrant cardamom sugar filling. This easy knotted pastry is beyond delicious and so easy to make, I?ll hold your hand through it, step by step!
ROAST CHICKEN WITH POTATOES, APPLES, AND BROWN CABBAGE
I guarantee this aromatic meal is like no chicken you’ve had before ~ it’s become a winter staple in our house. It brings together everything we love about Scandinavian recipes into one delicious pot!
LINGONBERRY JAM TART WITH CARDAMOM
The combination of tart jam with warm cardamom all wrapped up in a buttery shortbread crumble is irresistible!
SWEDISH VISITING CAKE
Swedish Visiting Cake is a buttery, almond-infused cake that is simple and elegant ~ the perfect excuse for a Swedish style fika coffee break!
Toasted Muesli
Muesli is a delicious cold cereal made by soaking rolled oats (along with totally optional but totally recommended add-ins like dried fruits, nuts, and seeds) in milk or a mixture of milk and yogurt. It’s usually topped with fresh fruit.
FINNISH SMOKED SALMON AND FARRO SALAD ~ Pinch and Swirl
A beautiful fish salad made with butter smoked salmon, creamy goat cheese, and lots of fresh greens.
NORWEGIAN RHUBARB AND ALMOND CAKE
This lovely breakfast cake hails from Norway where rhubarb thrives in the chilly climate.
CREAMY SALMON SOUP
Creamy salmon soup with lemon is a light bright Scandinavian fish soup recipe that makes the best healthy winter dinner ~ just add a hunk of your favorite bread!
GRAVADLAX WITH CUCUMBER PICKLE AND DILL MUSTARD MAYONNAISE ~ Donal Skehan
This gorgeous silky cured salmon with fresh dill is probably what comes to mind first when you think Scandinavian recipes. And for good reason, it’s one of the best ideas to come out of the far North, thanks to the plentiful fish in their icy waters. I add edible blossoms to my Nordic Open Faced Sandwiches for an elegant look.
TRADITIONAL SWEDISH PEPPARKAKOR
This traditional Swedish Pepparkakor Recipe makes deliciously crisp spice cookies with ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and clove. They’re a Scandinavian Christmas tradition and they’re absolutely fabulous!
LINGONBERRY JAM ~ Masala Herb
No, you probably won’t find lingonberries in your area, but try this method with any foraged berries. Lingonberry jam, which you will find on most large supermarket shelves, is an essential side to Swedish Meatballs.
SWEDISH MEATBALLS
These Swedish cocktail meatballs are the more sophisticated, toothpick-able versions of the ones you get at Ikea ~ they’re delicate and tender, with that classic lightly spiced gravy that drives everybody mad.
DANISH KRINGLE RECIPE ~ Culinary Hill
Meggan’s mother-in-law from Racine Wisconsin makes this authentic almond Kringle (Wisconsin’s official state pastry.) I’m so glad she passed on this quintessential Scandinavian recipe!
SHAVED WINTER VEGETABLE SALAD
I was influenced by Scandi minimalism in this colorful salad ~ it proves that just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you can’t have a bit of fresh crunch in your diet.
SCANDINAVIAN WHITE CHOCOLATE CAKE (Kladdkaka) ~ Yellow Days
This classic sticky chocolate cake comes straight from the sidewalk cafes of Sweden, and the pages of the Fika and Hygge cookbook. You can use your favorite type of chocolate for this cake.
SCANDINAVIAN RICE PUDDING WITH CRANBERRIES
Although rice pudding is often served chilled, I love it best warm from the pot. The vanilla and cardamom are extra aromatic and it’s the most comforting Scandi recipe ever.
SWEDISH SUGAR COOKIES
Swedish Sugar Cookies are a classic Scandinavian Christmas cookie ~ they’re deliciously simple and colorful. I’ll show you how to decorate them with your own homemade colored sugar!
7-LAYER SMOKED SALMON DIP
This beautiful Scandinavian inspired layered salmon dip is a stunning appetizer for any gathering. I?ve given you suggestions for the layers, but you can definitely customize it, there are so many possibilities.
TRADITIONAL DANISH RYE BREAD WITH SOURDOUGH ~ Wholesome Nordic Living
This Scandinavian recipe for rustic rye bread is a staple. Danish blogger Helene makes this nutritious fiber filled bread from scratch, using a sourdough starter.
ICELANDIC PANCAKES ~ Fun & Food Cafe
These light crepe-like pancakes are a traditional Icelandic breakfast, served with fresh jam or whipped cream. The recipe is from The Great Scandinavian Baking Book.
MIDSUMMER AQUAVIT COCKTAIL ~ Honestly Yum
A beloved Nordic spirit, Aquavit (water of life) is a neutral alcohol, like vodka, flavored with caraway, and sometimes dill, fennel, coriander, citrus and anise. Everybody drinks it up North. Skoal!
BEETROOT RISOTTO WITH MUSHROOMS ~ Our Kitchen Stories
This stunningly simple risotto comes from a Berlin based blog with a decidedly Scandinavian flair.
CHANTARELLE AND GOAT CHEESE SKILLET (Kantareller og Geitost) ~ North Wild Kitchen
Scandinavian food isn’t all yogurt and lignonberries…there’s a strong tradition of comfort food, too ~ it’s cold up there, for Pete’s sake! I love this cozy cheesy skillet, and I think you could use whatever mushrooms you can get your hands on.
RICE PUDDING WITH WHIPPED CREAM AND MARINATED ORANGES (Ris a la Malta) ~ Call me Cupcake
This traditional Scandinavian Christmas dessert can also be eaten for breakfast…I bet it helps keep one’s mind off the long dark days of winter.
NORDIC OPEN FACED SMOKED SALMON SANDWICHES
Open faced sandwiches are a way of life in the North. This beautiful Nordic recipe makes a lunch or light dinner, and the toppings are endlessly variable. Move over avocado toast!
ROSEMARY AND THYME ROASTED RADISHES WITH SKYR ~ @scusatema
Skyr is the Icelandic version of yogurt, but it has a milder flavor. You can sometimes find it in larger supermarkets or whole foods type stores, (I think Trader Joe’s sells it) and I’ve got a skyr recipe coming up on the blog soon, so stay tuned.
CARDAMOM SPRITZ COOKIES
Spritz cookies are a beloved Scandinavian recipe and we Americans love them too! These cookies are particularly popular in Sweden and Norway, where they’re known as “spritsar” or “sprut kaker”, respectively.
Our family always makes Krumkaka (a delicate lace-like cookie) & Sandbakles at Christmas time.
I’m always looking for new Scandinavian holiday cookies, I’ll look these up, thanks Nicolle.
What a lovely collection of recipes. My son in law is Finnish so these will be a surprise for him. Also like the rice recipes for breakfast for our guests!
My husband is Finnish. Some of his favourite foods are Rosolli, cabbage rolls (no tomato in these), and pulla coffee bread. For Christmas they have turnip casserole, liver casserole, and carrot casserole and lingonberry sauce with the turkey.
Thanks so much Ruth, I’ll look up some of these ~ great inspiration!
The link to GRAVADLAX WITH CUCUMBER PICKLE AND DILL MUSTARD MAYONNAISE ~ Donal Skehan is a dead link. Nothing comes up except a warning that the page is corrupt.
I’ll check and fix, thanks!
What a fabulous collection of recipes!! Thank you for sharing!
Such a nice collection of recipes! So beautiful and they look amazing. Thank you.
Like the recipes
interested in Nordic diet traditional
I was really looking forward to looking at these recipes, but it wasn’t really worth it for all the ridiculous ads that clogged up the screen.
I’ve adjusted this post so there aren’t so many ads ~ enjoy!
What a beautiful collection of recipes. Thank you so much!