Swedish Christmas Food to Explore This Holiday Season!

Sweden has always captured the essence of cozy Christmas celebrations—just look at their enchanting Christmas traditions and charming villages! It’s impossible not to feel the holiday spirit when you see how beautifully they embrace the season. 

And, of course, their Christmas cuisine is nothing short of spectacular. That’s why I’ve put together a listicle showcasing the best Swedish Christmas food recipes you should definitely explore this holiday season!

Swedish Meatballs

Let’s kick things off with some appetizers—these savory Swedish meatballs are a must-try! With their perfect blend of spices and a rich, creamy sauce, they’re sure to be a hit at any holiday table – trust me! 

Swedish Meatballs

Extra soft, extra juicy, extra tasty Swedish Meatballs with two little tips that make all the difference. Smothered in an epic gravy for Swedish Meatballs!

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Swedish Beetroot Salad (Rödbetsallad)

Time for some salad, and I’m absolutely in love with the vibrant color of this Swedish beetroot salad! The combination of pickled beets and crisp apples in a creamy dressing makes it a standout side that’s as delicious as it is stunning!     

Swedish Beetroot Salad – Rödbetssallad

Swedish Beetroot salad – Rödbetssallad is a classic side dish with diced pickled beets and apple in a savory, creamy dressing.

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Traditional Toast Skagen (Swedish Shrimp Toasts)

Looking to add some seafood to your menu? Try these Swedish shrimp toasts—they’re topped with a creamy shrimp salad and a hint of caviar (yum!), making them an irresistible and elegant appetizer!

Traditional Toast Skagen (Swedish Shrimp Toasts)

Traditional Toast Skagen (Swedish Shrimp Toasts) is a classic Scandinavian appetizer for good reason. Creamy shrimp salad (skagenröra) is spooned on top!

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Vegan Mushroom Pâté

Looking for something new and healthy to add to your menu? This vegan mushroom pâté is not only delicious but also perfect for impressing your guests with a fresh and flavorful option!

Vegan mushroom pâté recipe

Prepare these vegan pâté and candied walnut canapés ahead of time. When the party starts, all you need to do is plate them up!

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Swedish Christmas Ham (Julskinka)

No Christmas menu feels complete without a delicious ham! This classic dish, whether served cold or warm, adds a festive touch that makes any holiday spread truly special.

Here’s How to Make a Traditional Swedish Christmas Ham

This Swedish ham (or Julskinka) recipe is traditional to put on the table during Christmas. It’s often served cold on the Christmas buffet.

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Christmas Gravlax with Dill, Treacle & Cumin

Wow, the flavors of this gravlax are simply heavenly! The combination of dill, treacle, and cumin creates a truly unique and festive taste that’s perfect for your Christmas spread. 

Christmas Gravlax with Dill, Treacle & Cumin

This is a wonderful version of the traditional Swedish gravlax. It is raw salmon cured with salt, sugar and dill in the traditional way, but we also use cumin and treacle in the mix. This gives it a sensational flavour that we think makes it extra Christmassy. Serve with a green salad and traditional dill sauce or simply with a squeeze of lemon. Just the job for Christmas dinner.

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Jansson’s Temptation (Janssons Frestelse)

If you know me, you know how much I enjoy crunchy textures, so when I saw this recipe, I had to give it a try right away! The creamy and crispy layers with anchovies create a deliciously unexpected twist that’s perfect for my taste buds! Definitely a must-try!

Jansson’s Temptation (Janssons Frestelse)

Who Jansson is, we may never know, but this meal is an absolute must on a cold and frigid evening. The anchovies may seem an odd ingredient in what is basically potatoes au gratin, but when they combine with cream and onions, they’ll tempt anyone!

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Smorgastarta Sandwich Cake

No Swedish holiday celebration feels complete without this fantastic sandwich cake! It’s beyond amazing, with layers of savory fillings that make it a standout dish every time.I completely understand why smorgastarta is such a traditional staple! 

Easy Sandwich Cake (Swedish Smorgastarta)

This delicious Swedish Smörgåstårta Sandwich Cake makes a wonderful appetizer for your next party! This recipe is so easy and quick to make.

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Traditional Swedish Sourdough Wort Bread

There’s always room for bread, and this Swedish sourdough wort bread is a fantastic addition to your menu! It has a unique and subtly sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with any holiday spread.

Traditional Swedish sourdough wort bread

Wort bread is a traditional Swedish Christmas bread. It’s loaded with tastes from spices, wort, and sourdough. It tastes Christmas.

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Cinnamon Buns

There’s no traditional Swedish dinner without cinnamon buns! Don’t you agree?

Delicious Swedish cinnamon buns

Do you need an excuse for devouring another cinnamon bun? Don’t worry. Science comes to the rescue.

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Swedish Saffron Cake (Saffranskaka)

One of my favorites has to be this saffron cake! Just look at how stunning it is, and I can already tell it’s going to be a hit with fellow cake lovers like me!

Swedish Saffron Cake (Saffranskaka)

A no-fuss saffron dessert for the holidays! Swedish Saffron Cake (Saffranskaka) is a moist and deliciously soft cake that tastes even better the day after (if there’s any left). Great for breakfast, snack or dessert!

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Swedish Gingerbread Cookies (Pepparkakor)

No better way to wrap this up than with these Swedish gingerbread cookies! They’re sure to make your menu more festive and sweet, adding that amazing Christmas spirit and holiday touch.

Swedish Gingerbread Cookies (Pepparkakor)

Create a Christmas tradition with Swedish gingerbread cookies, Pepparkakor. A hint of orange flavor make them extra ordinary delicious.

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Swedish Christmas Buns with Saffron and Raisins

Craving sweet dough? Then these Swedish Christmas buns are one wonderful idea to bake!

Swedish Christmas Buns with Saffron and Raisins

These delicious Swedish Christmas Buns with saffron and raisins are traditionally served on the 13th of December, the feast day of Saint Lucia.

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Super thankful to the original creators of these recipes – they are all so good and will surely elevate my holiday table!