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.
What a terrific array of amazing recipes Sue. I would love to try several myself. Sharing and pinning!
Just a teeny correction from an English major who is 100% Norwegian – pfeffernusse are actually German (the name means “peppernuts” in German), and it is lingonberries, not lignonberries…:) I love your site and your recipes!!
Thanks Rebecca! I’ll make the corrections now 🙂
note : the gravadlax recipe (by Donal Skehan) is not smoked; it’s fridge cured, and easy to do.
Just adjusting the wording there, thanks Irish Chef! I’m excited to try that easy method myself.
OH MY!!! What BEAUTIFUL dishes! On the salmon soup (YUM!) could I successfully used canned salmon, or do I need to make a trip to the grocery store this afternoon? (Would LOVE to serve this for dinner.)
Love this Nordic spotlight Sue! My husband’s teaching a photography workshop in Iceland in April. I was jealous before this post, now I’m really sad Im not going. I’ll be at home making cinnamon buns and that white chocolate cake!
Oh wow, I bet your husband’s eating well!
Such an interesting compilation of food Sue. I must admit that I haven’t cooked much nordic food myself; however, I did travel to Iceland a couple of years back and really enjoyed the food. One of these days I hope to make it to Norway. . .which hopefully will inspire me to learn more about this unique cuisine.
I think it would be amazing to go to Iceland, it’s on my bucket list 🙂
Wow, what beautiful photos and fabulous recipes. They look delicious and appealing I want to try all of them…I don’t know where to start.
Wow Sue…incredible roundup! I love it that you’re setting the record straight with these stunningly gorgeous recipes, and giving us the opportunity to make Scandinavian food [that isn’t Ikea-made] lol. Thanks for sharing…I’ll be sharing this everywhere! Love EVERYTHING you do! 🙂
Everything looks just amazing, but the gravdlax caught my eyes – I LOVE salmon this way!
I’m definitely going to try to do that one this winter, love it!
Such a wonderful collection of recipes! Those Lussekatter look absolutely incredible. We are planning a trip to NYC next month and I have come across a couple of Nordic restaurants in my research. Can’t wait to try more food from this part of the world.