World Flavors Cookbook

Sweden Recipes

Swedish cuisine balances ancient foraging and preservation traditions with modern New Nordic innovation. Gravlax, meatballs (köttbullar), crispbread (knäckebröd), and the legendary smörgåsbord (open-faced sandwich table) represent a culture shaped by long winters and abundant forest and sea.

Recipes from Sweden

• Smörgås with Shrimp

  A classic Swedish open-faced sandwich topped with a fresh and creamy shrimp mixture, dill, and egg.

• Köttbullar (Swedish Meatballs)

  The iconic Swedish comfort dish — tender meatballs served with creamy gravy, mashed potatoes, and lingonberry jam.

• Gravlax

  Fresh salmon cured with salt, sugar, and a generous amount of dill, a staple of the Swedish smörgåsbord.

• Toast Skagen

  An elegant appetizer consisting of a creamy shrimp salad served on toasted bread, topped with bleak roe.

• Janssons frestelse (Jansson's Temptation)

  A creamy potato and onion casserole flavored with sprats (pickled anchovies), essential for Swedish holiday tables.

• Kanelbullar (Cinnamon Buns)

  The soul of the Swedish fika — soft, cardamom-scented yeast buns with a buttery cinnamon filling, topped with pearl sugar.

• Semla

  A traditional Shrove Tuesday treat: a soft cardamom bun filled with almond paste and whipped cream.

• Knäckebröd (Crispbread)

  Traditional Swedish hard rye bread, known for its long shelf life and crunch.

• Pyttipanna

  A classic "odds and ends" hash of diced potatoes, onions, and meat, served with a fried egg and pickled beets.

• Svenska Våfflor (Swedish Waffles)

  Thin, heart-shaped waffles that are crispier than their Belgian cousins, served with jam and cream.

• Ärtsoppa (Yellow Split Pea Soup)

  A thick, savory yellow pea soup traditionally served on Thursdays, followed by pancakes.

• Skånsk Kalops (Swedish Beef Stew)

  A slow-cooked beef stew seasoned with allspice and bay leaves, typical of southern Sweden.

• Wallenbergare

  Elegant, light-colored veal patties made with cream and egg yolks, breaded in pale breadcrumbs.

• Stekt Strömming (Fried Baltic Herring)

  Crispy fried Baltic herring fillets, often served on rye bread or with mashed potatoes.

• Prinsesstårta (Princess Cake)

  A royal layered cake with sponge, pastry cream, and raspberry jam, covered in iconic green marzipan.

• Smulpaj med Rabarber (Rhubarb Crumble)

  The quintessential Swedish summer dessert: tart rhubarb topped with a buttery oat crumble.

• Kålpudding (Cabbage Pudding)

  A comforting, savory-sweet casserole of ground meat and caramelized cabbage.

• Hälsingestinn Ostkaka (Swedish Cheesecake)

  A dense, grainy cheesecake with a subtle almond flavor, quite different from the American version.

• Laxpudding (Salmon Pudding)

  A classic casserole made with layers of sliced potatoes, cured or smoked salmon, and dill, bound with a creamy egg custard.

• Sillamacka (Herring Sandwich)

  A simple but iconic Swedish open-faced sandwich with pickled herring, egg, and red onion on rye bread.

• Flygande Jacob (Flying Jacob)

  A quirky 1970s casserole with chicken, bananas, peanuts, and chili-flavored cream.

• Gubbröra

  A savory egg and anchovy salad, traditionally served on crispbread as a snack or appetizer.

• Lussekatter (Saffron Buns)

  Vibrant yellow saffron buns shaped into "S" curves with raisins, traditionally eaten for St. Lucia Day.

• Skagenröra

  The famous Swedish shrimp salad used in sandwiches, jacket potatoes, or as an appetizer.

• S.O.S. (Sill, Ost och Smör)

  A classic Swedish appetizer platter consisting of various types of pickled herring, aged cheese, and butter.

• Ägg med kaviar (Egg with Kalle's)

  The ubiquitous Swedish snack: hard-boiled egg halves topped with Kalle's creamed cod roe.

• Kladdkaka (Sticky Chocolate Cake)

  A dense, gooey chocolate cake with a crisp exterior and a molten heart, Sweden's most popular home-baked cake.

• Västerbottensostpaj

  A savory cheese tart made with aged Västerbottensost, the king of Swedish cheeses.

• Kroppkakor

  Traditional potato dumplings stuffed with spiced pork and onions, served with melted butter and lingonberries.

• Pitepalt

  A northern variation of potato dumplings, typically made with a mix of raw and boiled potatoes and barley flour.

• Kalvsylta (Veal Brawn)

  A jellied veal loaf made with shredded veal and stock, traditionally served cold at the Christmas table.

• Rotmos med Fläsk

  A hearty mash of root vegetables served with boiled salted pork.

• Inlagd Sill med Ägg (Pickled Herring & Egg)

  A classic appetizer combination of pickled herring, hard-boiled eggs, and chives.

• Ostfrallor (Cheese Rolls)

  Soft breakfast rolls topped with melted cheese, a staple of Swedish bakeries.

• Svenska Pannkakor (Swedish Pancakes)

  Thin, crepe-like pancakes, traditionally served with strawberry jam and whipped cream.

• Plättar

  Miniature Swedish pancakes cooked in a special pan with seven small wells.

• Knäck (Swedish Christmas Toffee)

  A traditional hard or chewy Christmas toffee made with syrup, cream, and chopped almonds.