Best Scandinavian Christmas recipes (2024)

FAQs

What do Scandinavians have for Christmas dinner? ›

In Norway, two traditional dishes are contenders for the most popular Christmas dinners – “ribbe” (pork rib) and “pinnekjøtt” (lamb or mutton rib). Whilst the former has been the overall prime choice for years, the popularity of pinnekjøtt grows for each passing year.

Christmas presents are under the lighted tree, candles shine brightly and the smorgasbord (or smörgåsbord, as it's written in Swedish) has been prepared with all the classic dishes: Christmas ham, pork sausage, an egg and anchovy mixture (gubbröra), herring salad, pickled herring, home-made liver pâté, wort-flavoured ...

The most popular Christmas Eve dinner is the ribbe (pork ribs or pork belly, bone in), but lutefisk (cod cured in lye), pinnekjøtt (dry-cured ribs of lamb), boiled cod, ham roast and turkey are also common dishes.

Christmas dinner is a serious affair. Traditionally, you will be sat at a table for a good few hours, eating a meal of roast pork and duck plus boiled potatoes, red cabbage and gravy. Risalamande is the big Christmas dessert, a rice pudding topped with cherry sauce where a whole almond will be hiding.

Most people have a dinner of ribbe (pork ribs) or lutefisk (a cod dish) at home, so restaurants are usually closed. Christmas Eve dessert usually includes gingerbread or risengrynsgrot, a hot rice pudding, and mulled wine, glogg, for the grownups. Then Christmas gifts are opened after dinner.

Although beer was the most important component of the celebration, meat also played an important role. Different types of animal were sacrificed and eaten, and the most popular dish was pork. Pork had a high status among the Vikings, and being able to eat it every day was one of the rewards of the afterlife.

An oven-baked ham served with mustard is an absolute must for many, but an assortment of fish is also considered an essential part of traditional Finnish Christmas dinner. Vegetarian courses include a classic beetroot salad and various oven-baked root dishes like the popular rutabaga casserole.

Julmust (Swedish: jul "Christmas" and must English: 'must' "not-yet-fermented fruit juice") is a soft drink that is mainly consumed in Sweden around Christmas. During Easter, the name is påskmust (from påsk, "Easter").

During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Swedes gather to enjoy saffron buns ('lussekatter'), a steaming hot drink similar to mulled wine ('glögg') and gingerbread biscuits ('pepparkakor').

Woolen gloves, socks and slippers are also popular as gifts. Making a food basket for your family and friends can be fun and exciting.

Why do Norwegians hide brooms on Christmas Eve? ›

The Norwegians take superstition to a new level on Christmas eve. It's said that on the day before Christmas, people across the country should hide their brooms in their closets, as evil spirits and witches awake on this night and will take them to ride across the country if they are not hidden.

Despite Christmas day being the time when most other countries have their main celebrations, Norwegians choose to celebrate on Christmas Eve instead, which is known as “Julaften.” This is when families get together and eat a traditional Norwegian Christmas meal, which is usually followed by holding hands and dancing ...

In the home, hearty meals such as soups, stews, roasts and boiled vegetables with plenty of butter smeared on top are commonly served. If you are lucky, reindeer stew with brown cheese sauce, mashed potatoes & lingonberry might be your Norwegian Christmas dinner.

Danish Christmas is tied to traditions, and for many, the Christmas menu is probably synonymous with roasted duck, caramelised potatoes and Risalamande. We've found some places where you can have a Christmas feast in true Danish style, but also some that dare to challenge the traditions.

The celebration included drinking, feasting, songs, games, banquets, and sacrifices for the gods and the ancestor spirits for 12 days straight. They called it “Yule” which is pronounced the same as the word for Christmas in Norway today “Jul”.

Of all the Nordic countries, Iceland is probably the most intense in its love of "Jólin" (Christmas). You'd see decorations going up as early as November. For the next couple of months, the country is a flurry of sparkling lights and parties.

In Norway, a traditional Christmas dinner usually consists of pinnekjøtt (salted, dried, and sometimes smoked lamb meat) with potatoes, peas, gravy, and in some regions, lutefisk (a type of fish dish). For dessert, a rice pudding called riskrem is served.

The holiday version of the meal, called a julbord, is traditionally served on Dec. 24 and features an endless array of fish, bread and cheese, cold meats, hot dishes and dessert. Ask any Swede and they'll tell you that a smörgåsbord table without herring is (gasp) unthinkable.

Unlike the rest of the world, there isn't a traditional Christmas meal in Switzerland like turkey. However, some of the most popular options are Filet am Teig (pork fillet wrapped in pastry), Fondue Chinoise (meat fondue) and Schinkli im Teig (gammon wrapped in pastry). Fish is also a popular option.