10+ Swedish Recipes to Delight Your Taste Buds

Swedish cuisine offers a delightful mix of flavors and traditions that reflect the country’s rich cultural heritage. Exploring Swedish recipes gives you the chance to bring a taste of Scandinavia into your kitchen. From hearty dishes to sweet treats, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

As you dive into this culinary adventure, you’ll discover beloved classics that are perfect for sharing with family and friends. Embrace these recipes to create memorable meals that celebrate the essence of Swedish cooking.

1) Swedish Meatballs

Swedish meatballs are a delicious dish that you can make at home. They are small, tender meatballs usually made from a mix of ground beef and pork. You can serve them with creamy gravy, perfect over mashed potatoes or noodles.

To make Swedish meatballs, you’ll need a few simple ingredients. The key flavors often include allspice and nutmeg, which give them a unique taste.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground pork
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup heavy cream

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a bowl, mix the meats, breadcrumbs, onion, egg, spices, salt, and pepper.
3. Shape the mixture into small meatballs.
4. Bake for 20 minutes.
5. In a pan, heat the beef broth and add the meatballs.
6. Stir in the cream and let it simmer for 5 minutes.

2) Gravlax – Cured Salmon

Gravlax is a tasty Swedish dish made from salmon that is cured with sugar and salt. It has a lovely flavor, thanks to the addition of fresh dill.

To make gravlax, start with high-quality, skin-on salmon fillets. You’ll mix sugar, salt, and crushed peppercorns in a bowl. Then, cover the salmon with this mixture and let it cure in the fridge for a few days.

Once it’s fully cured, slice it thinly and serve it with bread, mustard sauce, or pickled vegetables. Gravlax makes a delightful appetizer for any meal.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs center cut salmon fillets (skin on)
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup coarse salt
• 15 crushed white peppercorns
• Fresh dill

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix sugar, salt, and crushed peppercorns in a bowl.
2. Place salmon fillets on a large piece of plastic wrap.
3. Rub the sugar-salt mixture evenly over the salmon.
4. Add fresh dill on top of the mixture.
5. Wrap the salmon tightly in plastic wrap.
6. Refrigerate for 2-3 days, flipping the salmon once a day.
7. After curing, unwrap and slice thinly to serve.

3) Jansson’s Temptation

Jansson’s Temptation is a traditional Swedish dish that combines potatoes and anchovies in a creamy casserole. It’s often served during Christmas but can be enjoyed anytime.

To make this dish, you will layer thinly sliced potatoes, onions, and anchovies. The flavors blend together beautifully, creating a comforting meal.

You can top it with breadcrumbs for extra crunch. This adds a nice texture that balances the soft potatoes inside.

Ingredients

• 2-3 large onions, sliced
• 6 russet potatoes, peeled and sliced thin
• 14 anchovy fillets (or sprats)
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Breadcrumbs for topping (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a baking dish, layer the onions, potatoes, and anchovies.
3. Pour heavy cream over the layers.
4. Dot with butter; season with salt and pepper.
5. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Serve warm and enjoy!

4) Semlor – Cream Buns

Semlor are traditional Swedish cream buns enjoyed during Lent. These soft, sweet buns are flavored with cardamom for a delightful taste. They are usually filled with a mix of almond paste and whipped cream.

To make semlor, begin with a sweet dough. After baking, you cut the tops off and fill them with the creamy filling. Finally, replace the tops and dust the buns with powdered sugar for a lovely finish.

These treats are perfect for sharing with friends and family during special occasions.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• ¼ cup butter
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 packet active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• ½ cup almond paste
• 1 cup whipped cream
• Powdered sugar (for dusting)

Cooking Instructions

1. Warm the milk and melt the butter together in a saucepan.
2. Combine sugar, yeast, and cardamom in a bowl.
3. Mix warmed milk into the yeast mixture.
4. Gradually stir in flour to form a dough.
5. Let the dough rise for about an hour.
6. Shape the dough into buns and place them on a baking sheet.
7. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes.
8. Cool the buns, then cut off tops and fill with almond paste and whipped cream.
9. Replace the tops and dust with powdered sugar. Enjoy!

5) Knäckebröd – Crispbread

Knäckebröd, or crispbread, is a traditional Swedish snack that is both simple and delicious. You can enjoy it with butter, cheese, or your favorite spreads.

Making knäckebröd at home is easy and requires just a handful of ingredients. This crispy bread can last for months if stored properly. It’s a great option for breakfast or as a healthy snack.

Ingredients

• 1 cup rye flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ cup rolled oats
• ¼ cup pumpkin seeds
• ¼ cup sesame seeds
• Water (as needed)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl.
3. Add enough water to form a dough.
4. Roll out the dough thinly on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden and crisp.
6. Cool before breaking into pieces.

6) Prinsesstårta – Princess Cake

Prinsesstårta, also known as Princess Cake, is a beloved Swedish dessert. This cake features layers of light sponge cake, creamy vanilla custard, and tangy raspberry jam.

It is covered in a smooth layer of marzipan, usually in a lovely green color. The fluffy whipped cream on top adds a delightful finish to this treat.

You can serve it on special occasions or just for a sweet afternoon snack. It’s a stunning cake that is sure to impress your friends and family.

Ingredients

• 6 egg yolks
• 6 dl double cream
• 6 dl milk
• 1 vanilla pod
• 3 tbsp caster sugar
• 4 tsp cornstarch
• Raspberry jam
• Marzipan for covering

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare the sponge cake layers and let them cool.
3. Make the vanilla custard using milk, sugar, and cornstarch.
4. Spread raspberry jam on one layer of the sponge.
5. Layer the custard and cream between sponge layers.
6. Cover the cake with marzipan and decorate as desired.

7) Kroppkakor – Potato Dumplings

Kroppkakor are delightful Swedish potato dumplings that you can enjoy as a comforting meal. These dumplings are traditionally filled with a mix of salt pork or bacon and onions. They make great use of leftover mashed potatoes.

The outer layer is made from potatoes, while the filling is flavorful and hearty. You can also try variations with wild mushrooms or different meats. Serve them with a side of lingonberry sauce for a tasty contrast.

Ingredients

• 4 cups peeled and diced potatoes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon white pepper
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 cup diced salt pork or bacon
• 1 onion, finely chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil the potatoes until tender and mash them.
2. Mix potatoes with salt, pepper, and egg.
3. In a pan, cook onion and pork until browned.
4. Form potato mixture into balls, fill with pork and onion.
5. Boil dumplings until they float.
6. Serve warm with lingonberry sauce.

8) Raggmunk – Potato Pancakes

Raggmunk are delicious Swedish potato pancakes that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They are made from grated potatoes mixed with flour and milk, creating a simple yet tasty dish. You can enjoy them as a side or a main meal.

Traditionally, Raggmunk are served with lingonberry jam and fried pork. The sweet and savory combination makes every bite delightful. You can also add grated onion or herbs for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs potatoes (raw & firm)
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 1/2 cups milk (or less)
• Eggs

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel the potatoes and grate them.
2. Mix the grated potatoes with flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Add the milk and eggs, stirring until smooth.
4. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F or 180°C).
5. Spoon the mixture into the pan and flatten slightly.
6. Cook until golden brown on both sides.

9) Surströmming – Fermented Fish

Surströmming is a unique Swedish dish made from fermented herring. This traditional delicacy has a strong smell and rich flavor that some people love and others find challenging.

To prepare Surströmming, start by getting fresh herring. It is best to buy it during the months of May and June. The herring is then salted and left to ferment for several months.

You can eat Surströmming on flatbread. Many people add toppings such as onions, sour cream, and tomatoes to balance the strong taste.

Ingredients

• Fresh herring
• Salt
• Flatbread
• White or red onions
• Sour cream
• Tomatoes

Cooking Instructions

1. Buy fresh herring from May to June.
2. Brine the herring in salt for a day.
3. Clean and decapitate the herring.
4. Pack the fish in jars and let it ferment for at least six months.
5. Serve with flatbread and desired toppings.

10) Äppelkaka – Apple Cake

Äppelkaka, or Swedish apple cake, is a warm and comforting dessert. It combines soft apples with a tender cake, making it perfect for any occasion.

The cake often has a hint of cardamom and is topped with caramelized apples. It’s a tasty choice for a cozy fika break. You can even sprinkle some powdered sugar on top for extra sweetness.

This recipe is simple and sure to impress your family and friends.

Ingredients

• 3 medium apples
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Pinch of salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Peel and slice the apples.
3. In a bowl, mix butter, sugar, and eggs until smooth.
4. Add flour, baking powder, cardamom, and salt. Stir well.
5. Fold in the apple slices.
6. Pour the batter into a greased baking pan.
7. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.