What is typical Swedish food?

 

What is typical Swedish food? Top of the list comes meatballs, gravy and lingonberry. But there are so much more to choose from.

In this post, we'll explore some of the most popular Swedish dishes you can find in restaurants across the country. From hearty meatballs to sweet desserts, Swedish food offers a unique and satisfying culinary experience.

Classic Swedish Main Courses

Meatballs
No discussion of Swedish cuisine is complete without mentioning the iconic Swedish meatballs, köttbullar (cheutt bulla). These savory delights are typically served with:

• Creamy gravy
• Lingonberry jam
• Mashed potatoes
• Pickled cucumber

 Fläsk med Löksås (pork with onion sauce)
A beloved traditional dish, fläsk med löksås, thicker cuts of bacon, consists of fried pork served with a rich onion sauce. It's a comforting meal often accompanied by:

• Boiled potatoes
• Pickled vegetables
• Crisp bread

 

Mashed Root Vegetables with Pork Knuckle
This hearty dish combines tender pork knuckle with a mash of root vegetables, creating a flavorful and filling meal. The pork knucke is being boiled for hours to get the meat of the bone. This dish is a deal breaker to many Swedes, either you love it or you hate it. For some it is the root mash that tips it over to the No Thank you side. It's typically served with:

• Mustard
• Pickled beets
• Crisp bread

 

Gravlax (Grav lox)

This cured salmon dish is a staple in Swedish restaurants. Gravlax is often served as an appetizer with:

• Dill
• Mustard sauce
• Lemon wedges
• Crisp bread

 

Sill, Herring is a quintessential part of Swedish cuisine. This classic food is always served when there eis a holiday.It doesn't matter if it is Christmas, Midsummers eve, Easter lunch, the herring is a staple.  It is a required taste for many but most Swedes enjoy the small fish bits. In restaurants, you might find it:

• Pickled in various flavors
• Served with boiled potatoes
• Accompanied by crisp bread and cheese

 

Pea Soup (Ärtsoppa)

Traditionally served on Thursdays, this hearty soup is made with yellow peas and pork. You should be soo lucky if you see it on a menu and most probably it would be for lunch. A classic version of the Soup on Thursdays comes wiht Swedish pancakes with jam and whipped cream. It should be served with a glass of punsch, a Swedish liquore - a mix if arrak, brandy and rum. It's often accompanied by:

• Swedish pancakes
• Mustard
• Crisp bread

 Fish and seafood

Of course you will find a lot of fish and seafood on menus. There are plenty of good fishes to choose from and some more expensive then others. We love to have char, trout, perch, cod and many more fishes. You'll find oysters, clams, shrimps and crab on menus too.

Don't miss Toast Skagen

This is the comfort food for many going to a restaurant. Basically it is a shrimp sallad on a toasted bread.
The dish was created by Swedish restaurateur and chef Tore Wretman in the 1950s. The prawn salad is typically made with mayonnaise, sour cream, and dill. Some versions may include dijon mustard. It's often garnished with fish roe, such as bleak roe or whitefish roe.

 

Meat for the brave

When in  season go for the calssic Swedish delicacies such as:

• Moose 
• Reindeer
• Venison
• Wild Boar

This tender meet can be served in stews, as a steak or fillet, as a meatball or suetéed thin sliced.

Game meats are often associated with autumn and winter in Sweden, coinciding with hunting seasons. However, many restaurants now offer game dishes year-round.

 

Other meet classics

Biff med Lök (Beef with Onions)

Biff med Lök is a classic Swedish dish featuring beef steak cooked with onions. The beef steaks are seasoned and fried, then topped with caramelized onions. This simple yet flavorful dish is often served with potatoes or vegetables, making it a staple in many Swedish households.

Oxfilé (Beef Tenderloin)

Oxfilé, or beef tenderloin, is a premium cut of beef that's tender and flavorful. Often reserved for special occasions, Oxfilé can be prepared in various ways, such as seared and finished in the oven. It's typically served with a rich sauce, like béarnaise or red wine sauce, along with roasted vegetables or potatoes, offering a luxurious dining experience.

Wallenbergare

Wallenbergare is a classic Swedish dish named after the Wallenberg family, a prominent Swedish family. It consists of veal patties made with ground veal, cream, egg yolks, and breadcrumbs. The patties are fried until golden brown and are usually served with mashed potatoes, green peas, lingonberry jam, and sometimes a rich gravy. Wallenbergare is known for its delicate texture and mild flavor, making it a beloved dish in Swedish cuisine.

Conclusion

Swedish cuisine offers a delightful array of dishes that are both comforting and delicious. Whether you're enjoying the hearty Pannbiff, the savory Biff med Lök, the luxurious Oxfilé, or the delicate Wallenbergare, these traditional recipes provide a true taste of Sweden's culinary heritage. Try these dishes at home or seek them out in Swedish restaurants for an authentic dining experience.