1. Köttbullar (Swedish Meatballs)
One of Sweden’s most iconic dishes, köttbullar are small, tender meatballs typically served with lingonberry sauce and creamy mashed potatoes. They are often enjoyed with a rich brown gravy.
Ingredients:
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Ground beef or pork (or a mix)
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Breadcrumbs
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Egg
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Milk
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Onion
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Salt & pepper
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Butter for frying
Serve with: Mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam, and gravy.
2. Gravlax (Cured Salmon)
Gravlax is salmon that has been cured with a mixture of salt, sugar, and dill, often served with mustard sauce, rye bread, and pickles.
Ingredients:
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Fresh salmon fillet
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Salt, sugar, dill
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White pepper
Serve with: Mustard sauce, boiled potatoes, and rye bread.
3. Smörgåsbord
A traditional Swedish buffet-style meal that includes a wide variety of cold and hot dishes. Typical smörgåsbord offerings include pickled herring, cold cuts, cheese, meatballs, and gravlax, with plenty of rye bread and crackers.
Popular items:
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Pickled herring (sill)
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Meatballs (köttbullar)
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Pickled cucumbers
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Cold cuts and cheeses
4. Janssons Frestelse (Jansson’s Temptation)
A classic Swedish casserole made with potatoes, onions, anchovies (or sprats), and cream. It’s rich, savory, and often served at Christmas, Easter, or other festive occasions.
Ingredients:
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Potatoes
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Onions
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Anchovies (or sprats)
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Heavy cream
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Bread crumbs
5. Räkmacka (Shrimp Sandwich)
A popular Swedish open-faced sandwich, the räkmacka is piled high with shrimp, mayonnaise, lettuce, and hard-boiled eggs on rye bread.
Ingredients:
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Shrimp
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Rye bread
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Lettuce
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Hard-boiled eggs
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Mayonnaise
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Fresh dill
6. Knäckebröd (Crispbread)
Swedes love their crispbreads! Knäckebröd is a type of thin, crunchy bread made with rye flour, often eaten with butter, cheese, or as an accompaniment to soups and salads.
Ingredients:
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Rye flour
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Water
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Salt
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Yeast
7. Semla (Fastlagsbulle)
A traditional Swedish pastry, semla is a sweet bun filled with almond paste and whipped cream. It’s traditionally eaten during Lent, but it’s now enjoyed all year round.
Ingredients:
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Sweet bun dough
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Almond paste
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Whipped cream
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Powdered sugar
8. Prinsesstårta (Princess Cake)
A beautiful, layered cake made with sponge cake, raspberry jam, vanilla custard, and whipped cream, all covered in a layer of green marzipan. It’s often decorated with a pink rose on top.
Ingredients:
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Sponge cake
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Raspberry jam
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Vanilla custard
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Whipped cream
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Marzipan
9. Surströmming (Fermented Herring)
For the adventurous eater, surströmming is fermented herring, and it’s considered a delicacy in Sweden. The smell can be overwhelming, and it is usually eaten with flatbread, potatoes, and onions.
10. Swedish Punsch
A traditional Swedish cocktail made with arrack, a type of spirit flavored with spices, often served warm or as a cold cocktail.
Ingredients:
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Arrack (or rum)
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Sugar
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Water
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Lemon peel (optional)
Swedish food emphasizes simplicity, quality ingredients, and a love for both sweet and savory flavors. Many dishes feature seafood, hearty potatoes, pickled or preserved items, and fresh berries. Perfect for anyone who enjoys comfort food with a touch of sophistication!