21 Traditional Swedish Foods To Try in 2025
Anyone familiar with Swedish food will attest to the warm flavors and dense textures this Nordic cuisine brings to the table. But if your enjoyment of traditional Swedish fare has been limited to Swedish meatballs or Swedish fish, you’ve been missing out on a literal smörgåsbord of delicious dishes that can add cultural diversity to your dining life.
If you’re new to the notions of tasting Swedish food, which dish would be best to try first? Is there a particular Swedish food that represents the culture better than all the rest?
To answer these questions, join us on an exploration of Swedish cuisine that presents a travelogue of sweet, savory, zesty and umami specialties. With this array of Swedish food on the table, there’s a dish to satisfy every craving!
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What Is Swedish Food?
Swedish food offers a mix of hearty soups and stews, soothing vegetable dishes and sweet desserts that use regional ingredients in simple yet creative ways. There’s an emphasis on simplicity, with straightforward techniques easily learned by home cooks eager to try their hand at creating Swedish recipes for themselves.
Arising in such close proximity to the other Nordic countries, Swedish recipes often have counterparts in Norwegian, Danish and Finnish foods, as well as displaying features of other European influences. Regional ingredients making appearances in typical Swedish fare include lingonberries, fish, potatoes and pork.
The colder climate also means most Swedish creations are hearty in nature, crafted for nourishment and comfort as much as sustenance and enjoyment.
The 21 Best Swedish Dishes To Try
1. Köttbullar
The most familiar of Swedish food, köttbullar is the true name for Swedish meatballs. This dish is beloved around the world for its petite-sized meatballs served in a creamy gravy-like sauce that sets it apart from more familiar meatball creations.
Often presented on a plate with egg noodles or mashed potatoes, köttbullar gives Sweden a sturdy signature invention and winter-friendly comfort food. Serving up köttbullar is also a fantastic party-ready finger food idea and these tasty meatballs are just the right size to get your own little eaters in on the Swedish culinary celebration.
2. Lingonberries
If you’ve seen a lingonberry bush, you know how closely it resembles traditional holly. But where holly berries are poisonous, lingonberries are a quintessential Swedish food that appears in several forms, including sauces and spreads. The taste is a mix of tart and sweet, making them prime fruit for turning into popular lingonberry jam.
These berries also have a wealth of antioxidants, making them one of the healthiest Swedish fruits you can find. Jarred berries are available at specialty grocers and online outlets if you’re unable to find them in your area.
3. Gravad Lax
Sometimes known by the shortened name gravlax, gravad lax is a Swedish food that represents the rich fishing heritage of the culture. Salt, sugar and dill are used to cure fresh salmon, turning it into flavorful strips of herbaceous fish that can be used to top bread or served on its own with mustard sauce.
This traditional invention is sometimes confused for lox, which is smoked salmon, though sometimes gravad lax is smoked after being cured to give the fish its own smoky layer. It’s an ideal topping for bagels or other sturdy bread.
4. Kanelbullar
Anyone looking for sweet Swedish food should try kanelbullar, the Swedish version of cinnamon rolls. This pastry consists of yeasted dough wrapped around an inner sheath of cinnamon, sugar and butter and twisted into fanciful shapes. Though simple rolls are the easiest way to present this authentic Swedish treat, pastry chefs will often create knots, braids and twirls that add a whimsical visual element to the delicious treat.
5. Pickled Herring
Even if you’re not familiar with traditional Swedish food, you’ve probably encountered pickled herring somewhere in your dining life. This classic dish, made by curing herring in salt before pickling it with sugar, salt and vinegar, was created to help early cooks preserve food through tough seasons. As one of the most essential Swedish creations, you can find pickled herring on grocery store shelves wherever you shop.
6. Toast Skagen
This Swedish food is actually two foods in one, with a shrimp salad known as skagenröra used to top a slice of toast. The salad is made creamy with a blend of mayonnaise, crème fraiche and dill before being spread over buttered white bread that’s been lightly toasted to hold the spread.
The finished product is an open-face sandwich that makes a great appetizer as well as a snack that Swedish eaters can’t get enough of. This dish is a great choice to impress friends and family at a specialty brunch where Swedish flavors top the menu.
7. Pannkakor
Pannkakor is a Swedish food that appears in restaurants and breakfast tables around the world by its better-known name: pancakes. These tender dough rounds are closer to French crêpes than American pancakes, thanks to their thin texture and broad surface.
Pannkakor tends to shift between sweet and savory depending on the meal and can be enjoyed with butter and jam or as a flatbread to hold other Swedish food in wrap form. Served with a variety of toppings or spiced butter, this Swedish food makes a fun diversion from the usual pancakes on your brunch menu.
8. Isterband
The smoky, slightly acidic taste of isterband gives the world of Swedish food a sausage that reflects the country’s unique culinary sensibilities. Pork, potatoes and barley kernels merge to form a rough-hewn mash that becomes a savory cured sausage usually served with pickled beets and dill potatoes on the side. Isterband comes in several regional varieties, each offering its own delicious twist on this classic dish.
9. Knäckebröd
If you’ve ever tried matzoh bread, you’ll recognize the taste and texture of knäckebröd. This Swedish flatbread was a favorite of the Vikings, who could haul it on ships thanks to its long-lasting freshness.
With a crispy dough made of rye flour, salt and water, knäckebröd is similar to whole-grain crackers and makes a perfect base for lingonberry jam and cheese spreads, as well as an array of authentic dips and toppers. Bake a batch and set it out for a dinner party or cocktail hour without alerting your guests and see who’s first to ask about your sensational Swedish snack!
10. Filmjölk
Don’t let the description of fermented milk keep you from trying filmjölk, a Swedish food similar to yogurt but with a butter-like flavor. Similar to kefir, filmjölk arises from adding bacteria to cow’s milk to create lactic acid, which lends tartness and diacetyl, resulting in buttery notes. You may have seen filmjölk in grocery stores, as part of Siggi’s line of Nordic yogurts, allowing you to easily add this Swedish specialty to your fridge rather than having to make your own.
11. Korv Stroganoff
What distinguishes korv stroganoff from the other versions of stroganoff you may have tried? Well, this Swedish food uses a tomato-based sauce instead of the creamy mushroom sauce used in the Russian version. Sausage is also used as the protein in place of beef.
Though considered a peasant meal among Swedish dishes, the heartiness of the sausage and the richness of the sauce make it a satisfying recipe. The tomatoes add tangy layers of flavor, giving Swedish korv stroganoff a personality all its own.
12. S.O.S. (Smör, Ost and Sill)
Not the stuff-on-a-shingle S.O.S. you may be familiar with, S.O.S. in the realm of Swedish food stands for smör (butter), ost (cheese) and sill (herring). The presentation is akin to a cheese board, with the simple elements laid out for easy assembly.
The butter is mashed together with chopped red onion to add sharp flavor, and the whole spread of Swedish food is served with toasted baguette rounds or sturdy crackers. It’s a great starter dish for a larger menu or a fun snack to get your exploration of Swedish food off to a flavorful start.
13. Prinsesstårta
All hail the prinsesstårta, or princess cake, the reigning monarch of sweet and decorative Swedish food! Multiple layers of sponge are stacked into a dome, with jam or frosting spread between each layer before a mound of whipped cream is added to create the rounded top.
The surface is covered in rolled-out marzipan, an almond paste that works like fondant but with a nutty flavor. Prinsesstårta is traditionally presented with pale green marzipan and a pink rose perched at the dome’s peak, making it one of the more visually striking creations you can add to your dessert table.
14. Raggmunk
Every Euro-Nordic culture has a version of potato pancakes, and raggmunk provides Swedish food with its own take on a cozy classic. Grated potatoes are mixed with milk, flour and eggs to produce a batter that’s gently fried in butter to create patties that are crisp and hearty. Traditional toppings include lingonberry jam, smoky-sweet bacon or applesauce, though Raggmunk can also accompany egg dishes as a ready stand-in for your usual hash browns.
15. Kroppkakor
Hailing from Southern Sweden, this dumpling dish consists of boiled potatoes filled with savory elements. Potatoes mixed with eggs and flour create the dough, which is formed into mounds and stuffed with onions, bacon, pork and mushrooms before being boiled until firm.
Sometimes, the finished dumplings are fried to add a crisp outer shell. Simpler versions remain unstuffed and can be served with lingonberries or lingonberry jam for an old-fashioned dish that hits all the right tasting notes.
16. Lutefisk
Lutefisk is a standard in Swedish cuisine and consists of white fish that’s been cured and rehydrated to create an unusual texture. Rather than staying flaky or becoming jerky-like, the two-step process gives lutefisk a jelly-like profile with a soft fish flavor.
Butter or cream sauce makes an excellent topping for this Swedish food, which can also be found in other Scandinavian countries and is often served as a Christmas party food.
17. Kalops
Fans of stews will find kalops an intriguingly familiar Swedish food, one they may have had without realizing it! This mix of beef, potatoes and carrots is a slow-cooked soother that’s flavored with onion and spices for a nourishing dish brimming with sumptuous savory bits.
The inclusion of allspice in the seasoning blend gives it a distinctive flavor while letting the vegetables and beef chunks simmer in stock infuses every piece with earthy richness. Kalops is usually served with boiled potatoes or pickled beetroot, though crusty bread makes an excellent partner as well.
18. Ärtsoppa
A cold climate means Swedish food is bound to include soups like ärtsoppa, a traditional dish made from yellow peas. Smoked meat and potatoes feature heavily in the soup as well, which bears a sunny ochre color rather than the muddy green of more familiar pea soup creations.
Blitzing some of the boiled peas and adding them back into the pot creates a creamy texture that enriches the finished dish without the addition of flour or cornstarch. Add a slice of wheat bread or a crusty roll on the side and you have a Swedish food comforting enough to stave off the fiercest winter chill.
19. Gáhkku
Sometimes known as klappekake, gáhkku is an earthy bread that comes from the Sami people of Northern Sweden. The nomadic Sami could make gáhkku as they traveled, thanks to simple ingredients that were easily portable and could be mixed and baked on the go.
With syrup and fennel or anise seeds worked into the dough, this lightly sweet Swedish food could easily be mistaken for holiday cookies. Don’t be surprised if the herbaceous flavor is less cookie-like and more bread-like than the appearance indicates.
20. Chokladboll
You may deduce from the pronunciation of chokladboll that this sweet Swedish food translates to “chocolate ball.” It’s a Nordic version of truffles, with an uncooked dough made from toasted oats, cocoa, sugar, vanilla and butter that’s formed into spheres and chilled.
Some recipes include brewed coffee to add a stronger flavor. The finished balls are coated in shredded coconut, adding a satisfying texture to this smooth confection.
21. Kardemummabröd
Kardemummabröd is a traditional Swedish food that looks like simple bread but contains the warm essence of cardamom, providing a special spiced flavor. Loaves of kardemummabröd take on plaits and twirls that make the finished bread look as stunning as it tastes.
Smaller versions of the bread are known as kardemummabullar and present as coiled dinner roll-sized pastries that give bakers the chance to show off their artistic skills. It’s the perfect lightly-sweet pastry for serving with tea or coffee to let the spicy cardamom in the dough come through.
Learn To Cook Swedish Food
If this guide to Swedish food has inspired you to master the art of Nordic cuisine, joining a few cooking classes near you is a fantastic idea! These sessions offer hands-on guidance and a delightful culinary adventure. Every session is hosted by a professional chef who can’t wait to show budding cooks how to expand their repertoires into deliciously international territory. You can also explore online cooking classes that let you tap into top-level culinary instruction without leaving home.
The world of Swedish cuisine is a fascinating and delicious one! This guide should have acted as a great introduction to this Nordic country's most popular dishes.
Whether you try these foods at a local Swedish restaurant, cook them at home or even plan a fun culinary trip to Sweden, you're guaranteed to be impressed by the delightful, comforting flavors. If you do make some Swedish dishes at home, be sure to invite friends and family to sample the results for an old-fashioned smörgåsbord at your own table.
For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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