Food in Sweden

Sweden, a Nordic nation defined by its deep forests, coastal islands, and inland lakes, also boasts a distinctive and varied cuisine that reflects its cultural history and geographical diversity. For travelers eager to indulge in Swedish gastronomy, there's much more to savor beyond the iconic meatballs and lingonberry jam. From hearty stews to delicate seafood, Sweden offers a culinary adventure suited to every palate. Discover the essential Swedish dishes to sample during your journey across this enchanting country.

Swedish Dishes

Köttbullar (Swedish Meatballs)

Köttbullar, the iconic Swedish meatballs, are a must-try for any visitor. Made from a combination of beef and pork, they are seasoned with onions, white pepper, and allspice. These savory spheres are usually served with creamy mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam, and a rich gravy, creating a comforting and hearty meal.

Smörgåsbord

The smörgåsbord is a traditional Swedish buffet that includes a variety of hot and cold dishes. It typically features an assortment of bread, butter, and cheese, alongside pickled herring, smoked salmon, cured meats, pâtés, and salads. It's a perfect way to sample a wide range of Swedish flavors in one meal.

Surströmming

Surströmming is a notorious Swedish delicacy consisting of fermented Baltic herring. Known for its strong smell, it is usually eaten with tunnbröd (a thin, soft flatbread), potatoes, sour cream, and chopped onions. Surströmming is traditionally consumed during the late summer, particularly at surströmmingsskivor (fermented herring parties).

Raggmunk

Raggmunk is a Swedish potato pancake that is fried in butter and typically served with thick slices of bacon and lingonberries. The potato is grated and mixed with flour, milk, and egg to form a batter, creating a dish that's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Gravadlax

Gravadlax, or gravlax, is a Nordic dish consisting of raw salmon that has been cured in salt, sugar, and dill. Sliced thinly, this delicacy is often served as an appetizer with a dill and mustard sauce, known as hovmästarsås, on bread or boiled potatoes.

Janssons frestelse (Jansson's Temptation)

A creamy potato casserole, Jansson's Temptation is made with potatoes, onions, pickled sprats, bread crumbs, and cream. It is baked until golden and is a common feature on Swedish Christmas tables, though it can be enjoyed year-round as a hearty dish.

Pytt i panna

Translated as "small pieces in a pan," Pytt i panna is a classic Swedish hash made from diced potatoes, onions, and leftover meat, all fried together. It's a popular comfort food often topped with pickled beetroot and a raw egg yolk.

Sill

Sill refers to pickled herring, a staple in Swedish cuisine. It comes in various flavors, such as mustard, onion, garlic, or dill, and is commonly eaten during traditional celebrations like Midsummer, Christmas, and Easter, often accompanied by boiled new potatoes, sour cream, and chives.

Kroppkakor

Kroppkakor are hearty dumplings made from a potato dough that encases a filling of onions and pork or bacon. Boiled or fried, they are typically served with lingonberries and melted butter. Each region in Sweden has its own variation of this traditional dish.

Ärtsoppa

Ärtsoppa is a yellow pea soup, traditionally served on Thursdays in Sweden. Flavored with pork and marjoram or thyme, it's a thick, warming dish often followed by pancakes with jam for dessert. This custom harks back to the pre-Reformation era when Swedes fasted on Fridays.

Swedish Desserts

Prinsesstårta (Princess Cake)

Prinsesstårta is a layered sponge cake covered in marzipan. Its layers consist of jam, whipped cream, and a thick pastry cream, typically topped with a green marzipan layer and a pink marzipan rose. This cake is especially popular during celebrations and birthdays.

Kanelbulle (Cinnamon Bun)

The kanelbulle is perhaps the best-known Swedish pastry, a soft, sweet bread flavored with cinnamon and cardamom. It's often enjoyed during fika, the traditional Swedish coffee break, and is so beloved that there's even a Kanelbullens dag (Cinnamon Bun Day) celebrated on October 4th.

Semla

Semla is a cardamom-spiced wheat bun which has its top cut off and is then filled with a mix of milk and almond paste, topped with whipped cream, and the cut-off top is then put back as a lid. It is traditionally eaten on Fat Tuesday as the last festive food before Lent.

Dammsugare (Punsch-roll)

Also known as a punsch-roll, the dammsugare is a small cylindrical pastry covered in green marzipan with the ends dipped in chocolate. It has a filling of cake crumbs, cocoa, butter, and punsch liqueur. The name translates to "vacuum cleaner," supposedly because the pastry resembles an old-fashioned vacuum cleaner and because its appearance suggests it has been used to sweep up crumbs.

Ostkaka (Swedish Cheesecake)

Unlike the American cheesecake, the Swedish ostkaka is made with rennet and fresh cheese curd, giving it a unique texture. It's typically flavored with almonds and served warm with jam or fruit and whipped cream. It's so cherished in Sweden that it even has its own day, Ostkakans dag, on November 14th.