52 Delicious Swedish Meals You Need To Try Before You Die
Swedish cooking has more to it than meatballs.
1. Västerbotten cheese pie
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This delicious cheese pie made with the Swedish equivalent of Parmesan — Västerbottenost — is so delicious you won’t want to eat any other pie ever again.
What do you call it in Swedish? Västerbottenpaj.
2. Nettle soup
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This fresh and tasty soup is served with a soft-boiled egg.
What do you call it in Swedish? Nässelsoppa.
3. Semla
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These pastries are traditionally enjoyed at the end of February — right before Lent — because wheat buns filled with whipped cream and almond paste is exactly what you need to brighten a cold and dark Swedish winter.
What do you call it in Swedish? Semla.
4. Swedish pancakes
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Swedes just don’t understand thick pancakes — we make them more like French crêpes. Served with whipped cream and berries, these thin pancakes are one of the best things about Sweden.
What do you call it in Swedish? Tunna pannkakor.
5. Shrimp sandwich with egg, mayo, and lemon
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This Swedish shrimp sandwich with lemon, boiled egg and mayo is Gothenburg’s hamburger, but you will fall instantly in love with it no matter where you come from.
What do you call it in Swedish? Räkmacka på kavring med citron, majonäs och ägg.
6. Cinnamon rolls
You know what could make literally anyone happy? Cinnamon buns fresh from the oven accompanied with a glass of cold milk.
What do you call it in Swedish? Kanelbullar.
7. Hasselback potatoes
This classic way to prepare potatoes comes from a restaurant on Djurgården in Stockholm.
What do you call it in Swedish? Hasselbackspotatis.
8. Egg salad with anchovies
This yummy hash is a mix of hard-boiled egg, sour cream, finely chopped onion, finely chopped anchovies, and lots of dill. Eat it on knäckebröd or in soft flatbreads cut like these — either way, it will blow your mind!
What do you call it in Swedish? Gubbröra.
9. Smoked sausages with dill potatoes and pickled beets
Isterband is a coarse-grained sausage with a slightly sour taste. One of the most famous isterband comes from Småland, a region in southern Sweden. You can find this sausage in every supermarket in Sweden but you can also make it yourself.
Best is to serve it with a potato stew with loads of freshly cut dill, pickled beetroots, and a sweet and spicy mustard.
What do you call it in Swedish? Isterband med dillstuvad potatis och inlagda rödbetor.
Find the recipe for Isterband here.
And the potatoes in dill stew recipe, here.
10. Saffron buns
Few things are more delicious than soft saffron buns fresh from the oven. This Christmas speciality can also be filled with a cinnamon paste but the plain buns are equally fantastic.
What do you call it in Swedish? Lussebullar.
11. Fried herring with mashed potatoes, parsley butter, and lingonberries
Before McDonald’s opened here, this used to be the only fast food we had in Sweden. It’s also the cheapest and most delicious meal you can get your hands on. Wanna spice it up? Add thinly sliced pickled cucumber and red onion to the dish.
What do you call it in Swedish? Stekt strömming med potatismos, persiljesmör och rårörda lingon.
12. Sausage and macaroni
This mouthwatering dish brings every Swede back to childhood. Falukorv is a cooked sausage made of pork and beef meat with potato starch flour. Easy to make, this recipe is a proof that the simplest things are also often the most delicious.
What do you call it in Swedish? Falukorv med makaroner.
13. Toast Skagen
Shrimp mixed with mayo, horseradish, dill, and lemon served on a white toast fried in butter. An incredibly yummy Swedish classic!
What do you call it in Swedish? Toast Skagen.
14. Beef Ryberg
Potato and beef served with a raw egg yolk, horseradish, and spicy mustard: It might seem basic but it’s actually exquisite.
What do you call it in Swedish? Biff Ryberg.
15. Veal burger with mashed potatos, peas, gravy, and lingonberries
This, my friends, is Swedish comfort food at its best! The key ingredient to make the burgers extra delicious is cream. A LOT of cream.
What do you call it in Swedish? Wallenbergare med mos, ärtor, skirat smör och rårörda lingon.
16. Small potato pancakes with lingonberries
These delicious small potato pancakes are often done with leftover potato mash and served with wild lingonberries stirred with a tiny amount of sugar to soften the sourness of the red berries. Sometimes this dish is also served with fläsk, Swedish bacon.
What do you call it in Swedish? Potatisplättar med rårörda lingon.
17. Poached salmon
Served with a mayonnaise cream sauce with loads of freshly cut dill, this salmon recipe is one of Sweden’s most traditional dishes.
What do you call it in Swedish? Inkokt lax.
18. Hash brown with bleak roe
The most delicious way to enjoy the famous roe is accompanied with this Swedish hash brown. Serve with dill, sour cream, lemon, finely cut chives, and red onion, it’s always a hit!
What do you call it in Swedish? Råraka med löjrom.
19. Crispy waffles
In the winter, heart-shaped waffles with cloudberry jam are the best snack to eat after a long day in the snow. This classic makes everyone happy!
What do you call it in Swedish? Frasvåfflor med hjortronsylt.
20. Black pudding with lingonberries
This dish may sound weird to those who didn’t grow up eating it, but, trust me, it’s so delicious! Blodpudding is made with pig blood and flour but most Swedes buy it premade at the supermarket, cut and fry it in butter, and serve it with lingonberries.
What do you call it in Swedish? Blodpudding med lingon.
21. Reindeer stew with juniper berries
This is a classic stew from Norrbotten (in northern Sweden). The dry reindeer meat tastes delicious when fried in butter, juniper berries add an earthy taste, and cream
softens the whole thing.
What do you call it in English? Renskavsgryta.
22. Rhubarb compote
This is the absolute best sauce to pour over ice cream.
What do you call it in Swedish? Rabarberkompott.
23. Jansson’s Temptation
A Christmas classic, Jansson’s Temptation is a potato gratin made with thinly sliced potatoes, anchovies, plenty of cream, and bread crumbs.
What do you call it in Swedish? Janssons frestelse.
24. Sandwich cake
This sandwich cake with mayonnaise, dill, and seafood toppings has long been a festive dish to serve at summer parties and family gatherings. With new restaurants making it the star of their menu, like Smörgårstårteriet in Stockholm, this delicious party cake has acquired a new hip flavor.
What do you call it in Swedish? Smörgåstårta
25. Strawberries with milk and sugar
Very simple and always a hit! Just strawberries (Swedish are the best!), milk, and a bit of sugar in a bowl.
What do you call it in Swedish? Jordgubbar med mjölk och socker.
26. Spinach soup with soft-boiled egg and horseradish
The perfect lunch!
What do you call it in Swedish? Spenatsoppa med ägg.
27. Split-pea soup with bacon
Split-pea soup with bacon and mustard is a true Swedish classic — usually served on Thursdays with thin pancakes and a glass of chilled punch as dessert.
What do you call it in Swedish? Ärtsoppa med fläsk.
28. Potato pancake with bacon
This Swedish potato pancake is served with thick salty bacon and lingonberry jam. A true feast for your mouth.
What do you call it in Swedish? Raggmunk med rimmat sidfläsk.
29. Raspberry Swiss rolls
This beautiful Swiss roll is originally from Central Europe but has become a classic in Swedish kitchens. Filled with raspberry jam and served with whipped cream, it’s the ultimate pastry.
What do you call it in Swedish? Rulltårta med hallon.
30. Swedish beef stew
This warm beef stew is perfect for a hearty autumn meal.
What do you call it in English? Kalops.
31. Veal rissoles
This dish is similar to the traditional meatballs, only made with veal meat and cooked in the oven instead of fried. Served with cream sauce, lingonberries or black currant jelly, and potatoes, it’s always spectacular.
What do you call it in Swedish? Kalvfärsjärpar i gräddsås.
32. Cabbage rolls
Fine meat cooked inside leaves of cabbage served with slices of pickled cucumber, lingonberries, and mashed potato: One of the best comfort foods there is.
What do you call it in Swedish? Kåldolmar.
33. Sailor’s beef
This amazing beef stew is made with beer and lots of yellow onions. The whole thing is incredibly tasty.
What do you call it in Swedish? Sjömansbiff med lök.
Find the recipe here.
34. Swedish potato dumplings
Kroppkakor are delicious potato dumplings filled with bacon and onion. There are different ways to serve them: with melted butter or cream and of course lingonberry.
What do you call it in Swedish? Kroppkakor med skirat smör.
35. Rice porridge with cinnamon
A Christmas classic that’s mind-blowingly good all year round.
What do you call it in Swedish? Risgrynsgröt med kanel.
36. Meatballs with cream sauce
The traditional way to eat Swedish meatballs is with brown cream sauce, lingonberries, pickled cucumber, and mashed potatoes. And the smaller the meatball, the fancier it is.
What do you call it in Swedish? Köttbullar med brunsås.
37. Swedish cheesecake
Served with jam and whipped cream, the Swedish cheesecake is probably what angels eat in heaven. For real.
What do you call it in Swedish? Ostkaka.
38. Poached pears
This mind-blowing pears are poached in a mix of cinnamon, vanilla, and/or cardamom and served with whipped cream. What more do you need?
What do you call it in Swedish? Inkokta päron.
39. Oven-baked pancake with leek and bacon
This oven-cooked pancake is a fall favorite in Sweden.
What do you call it in Swedish? Ugnspannkaka Med Fläsk.
40. Lingonberry parfait
The sourness of the lingonberry combined with the richness of the cream makes for a wonderful taste.
What do you call it in Swedish? Lingonparfait.
41. Sticky chocolate cake
An everyday favorite in many Swedish households, this sticky chocolate cake will rock your world!
What do you call it in Swedish? Kladdkaka.
42. Seven kinds of cookies
A Swedish tradition in Sweden is to always have seven kinds of cookies to offer a guest invited for fika. The types of cookies can vary but most of them are made from shortcrust.
What do you call it in Swedish? Sju sorters kakor.
43. Swedish flatbread
This delicious flatbread with aniseed, fennel, and sour milk is the perfect complement to a summer soup. You can also just eat it with butter and cheese. Either way, it’s delicious!
What do you call it in Swedish? Stompa.
44. Swedish crispbread with eggs and a smoked fish roe spread
It’s pretty unbelievable that knäckebröd with eggs and some Kalles Kaviar can be so delicious, but it really is!
What do you call it in Swedish? Knäckebröd med ägg och Kalles kaviar.
45. Princess cake
This layered birthday cake, with vanilla cream, raspberry jam, freshly whipped cream, and green marzipan on top, is every child’s dream. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can add a marzipan rose to top it off.
What do you call it in Swedish? Princesstårta.
46. Blueberry cake
The Swedish woods are filled with blueberries, which explains the enormous amount of Swedish recipes using this “blue gold.” Swedish blueberry cake is traditionally not too sweet — and has A LOT of berries in it.
What do you call it in Swedish? Blåbärskaka.
47. Gingerbread cookies
These delicious, thin cookies filled with spices are one of the best things about Swedish Christmases.
What do you call it in Swedish? Pepparkakor.
48. Rice pudding with raspberry jam
Rice mixed with whipped cream served with rasberry jam or clementines. Nothing can go wrong with this dessert: It’s just heavenly. And you can make it with leftover rice.
What do you call it in Swedish? Ris à la Malta (Risalamande in Danish).
49. Strawberry cream cake
A classic midsummer treat!
What do you call it in Swedish? Jordgubbstårta.
50. Cured salmon with potato salad
Cured salmon with potato salad and mustard sauce is a Swedish summer classic. So easy to make and always a hit!
What do you call it in Swedish? Gravad lax med potatissallad.
51. Pork shank with turnip mash
Slow-cooked pork shank with turnip mash, spicy mustard, and parsley is a typical winter dish in Scandinavia. There is no better way to fight the cold.
What do you call it in Swedish? Fläsklägg med Rotmos.
52. Baked chicken with bananas and peanuts
I know it sounds weird, but I swear it’s delicious! It’s also one of the best comfort foods during a cold winter day.
What do you call it in Swedish? Flygande jakob.
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