15 Traditional Norwegian Recipes (2024)

Take a trip to Norway without ever leaving your kitchen with these delicious Norwegian recipes. With such a cold climate, food from Norway has to be comforting!

A popular term in Norway is hygge, which is the art of being cozy. These recipes will definitely bring a little bit of “hygge” to your home.

15 Traditional Norwegian Recipes (1)

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Brighten up your next rainy day with a little warmth in one of these recipes. From a hot lunch to a sweet treat, we have a recipe for you.

Enjoy the flavors of Norway with these traditional recipes! You may just discover a new favorite dish in the mix.

Warm your home and your heart with these comfort foods.

1. Norwegian Waffles

What are Norwegian waffles? And how are they different from traditional American waffles?

They are shaped like a heart. How sweet!

Norwegian waffles are also thinner and softer than the American version. They’re perfect to pair with fresh fruit and whipped cream.

Serve up these waffles this Saturday for a sweet surprise your whole family will love.

2. Norwegian Fish Soup

This creamy soup brings together so many delicious flavors. From fresh lemon juice and herbs to the fish itself, there isn’t a gray day this soup won’t chase away.

Take your time preparing this ultimate comfort food. Let the scent fill your house with the soothing aroma of simmering vegetables and caramelized onions.

Serve up a bowl and curl up with a warm blanket and good book.

3. Norwegian Meatballs

These savory meatballs are served smothered in an irresistible gravy. This dish is a Christmas tradition, but there isn’t a thing stopping you from enjoying it year-round.

Fragrant meatballs are seasoned with nutmeg and ginger for a flavor that bursts through the gravy and brings the entire dish together.

Serve this dish with warm bread or rice for a soothing meal that’s a great way to end any day.

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4. Norwegian Flatbread

This thin and crispy flatbread is the perfect addition to any occasion. Enjoy it plain for a snack, or with a variety of different toppings as part of a meal.

Try warm butter for an afternoon pick-me-up, or orange marmalade for morning toast.

You can also top this flatbread with a variety of cheese and fruits for a heartier option.

Kick bagged bread to the curb and let this simple flatbread be your new kitchen staple.

5. Lefse

Similar to the traditional flatbread listed above, lefse is a thin flatbread made from potato.

Lefse is usually served warm with butter and sugar. I like the sound of that!

Lefse may take a couple of tries to perfect. The steps are simple, but it will take practice to get the dough just right for frying such thin pieces.

It will be worth your effort, though, when you have warm and satisfying slices of lefse on your table.

6. Surkal

Every culture has some form of fermented vegetable, and this is Norway’s. Tender cabbage pieces are soaked in vinegar and butter with caraway and apple pieces.

The result is sauerkraut that has a slightly sweet flavor. This is the perfect side on any cold plate or palette refresher in between courses.

If sauerkraut is too strong for you, try surkal. Its simple ingredients soften the flavor and may be just what your taste buds need to enjoy pickled cabbage.

7. Lutefisk

Lutefisk is a flaky fish fillet that is baked in the oven. This dish is traditionally paired with pea stew and roasted potatoes.

If you need a filling meal, look no further than this classic Norwegian menu. The warm fish provides plenty of protein, and the pea soup and potatoes bring plenty of hygge.

This dish warms you from the inside out. Serve it at the end of a blustery day to chase away the chill.

8. Norwegian Oatmeal Molasses Bread

How delicious does this sound? Hearty oatmeal is combined with molasses for a sweet bread that is perfect for breakfast.

Start your day off right with a warm slice of this traditional bread.

This whole-grain loaf is incredibly sturdy and is just perfect for your favorite spreads.

Try it as a part of your favorite sandwiches, or let it be a side to your favorite meal.

This grainy loaf is a multipurpose bread you can use in all of your go-to meals.

9. Sveler

Sveler are Norwegian pancakes from the northwestern coast of the country.

They are a traditional coffee companion and are enjoyed throughout the morning as a light sweet.

Top your sveler with a variety of spreads. Sour cream, berry jam, and butter are all popular favorites.

Introduce your friends to something new at your next brunch party by bringing the Norwegian coffee shop to you.

10. Norwegian Potato Dumplings

Dumplings are always a favorite comfort food, and these potato dumplings are no exception.

They’re light and fluffy with a soft outer layer, just like a good dumpling should be.

Nothing says home cooking like a homemade dumpling. Give this recipe a spin and see how it stands up next to grandma’s secret family recipe.

11. Norwegian School Bread

One word: donuts. Norwegian school bread is filled with vanilla pudding and topped with vanilla custard.

You can make these delicious treats to tuck into your child’s packed lunch or make them to eat at home for an indulgent sweet.

12. Norwegian Salmon with Dill Sauce

How delicious does this sound? Salmon has such a savory natural flavor that is the perfect complement to tangy dill sauce.

This salmon is roasted to perfection in the oven and then topped with the cooling yogurt and dill spread.

What a perfect dish for the holidays, or any special occasion!

13. Norwegian Almond Cake

Almond flavoring is one of my favorite ways to dress up any dessert. There is just an extra edge that vanilla doesn’t have.

Enjoy the taste of sweet almond in this light and fluffy cake. It’s subtly sweetened, giving you a simple flavor that allows the almond to really shine.

This cake makes a beautiful gift with its light crumb color and elegant glaze topping.

14. Norwegian Porridge

Norwegian porridge is a rice pudding that has been perfectly boiled and sweetened. What better way to start your day than with a delicious, warm bowl?

Top your porridge with your favorite dried fruit or sweet spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg. This thick and creamy porridge is the definition of “hygge.”

Introduce your family to the joys of porridge this weekend for a slow and cozy Saturday.

15. Norwegian Lemon Butter Sauce

This simple sauce is a great thing to have on hand in your refrigerator, ready to serve at a moment’s notice.

The lemon flavoring is delightful, and what dish wouldn’t benefit from a drizzle of butter? Your family will rely on this sauce like ketchup and ranch dressing.

15 Traditional Norwegian Recipes (2)

15 Traditional Norwegian Recipe Collection

Take a trip to Norway with these delicious Norwegian recipes! From waffles to soup to dumplings, these dishes are as tasty and cozy as it gets!

Instructions

  • Select your favorite recipe.
  • Organize all the required ingredients.
  • Prep a Norwegian dish in 30 minutes or less!
15 Traditional Norwegian Recipes (3)

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15 Traditional Norwegian Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are some traditional Norwegian dishes? ›

Norwegian cuisine
  • Røkelaks (smoked salmon) ...
  • Brunost (sweet brown cheese) ...
  • Fenalår is traditional Norwegian cured meat made from salted and dried leg of lamb. ...
  • Sild (herring) ...
  • Flatbrød (crispbread) ...
  • Waffle mix (and a waffle iron) ...
  • Tørrfisk (dried cod) Small slices of brittle stockfish make a perfect (and healthy!)

What is Norway's national dish? ›

Mutton and cabbage stew, or “fårikål” in Norwegian, has repeatedly been named Norway's national dish. It even has its own festive day on the last Thursday in September. Throughout the autumn months, people all around the country arrange lamb stew parties.

What does Norway eat for breakfast? ›

The Norwegian Breakfast
  • We eat lots of savoury items.
  • Wholemeal bread and wholegrain knekkebrød are staples.
  • Cheese and jam together is a thing here.
  • Coffee is a must.
  • There is always plenty of protein.
  • Fish is a favourite.
  • Porridge is the choice for the winter.
Aug 11, 2023

What does a typical Norwegian eat in a day? ›

Most Norwegians eat three or four regular meals a day, usually consisting of a cold breakfast with coffee, a cold (usually packed) lunch at work and a hot dinner at home with the family.

What is a typical Norwegian lunch? ›

It doesn't have to be complicated. The traditional Norwegian matpakke consists of slices of freshly baked bread (often as open-faced sandwiches) with a favourite pålegg (fillings and toppings), and maybe a few slices of fruit or vegetables, or berries.

What is the Norwegian national sweets? ›

Top 10 Classic Sweet Foods In Norway
  • Sweet buns (boller) ...
  • Candy (smågodt) ...
  • Kvikk Lunsj. ...
  • Traditional soft Norwegian flatbread (lefse) ...
  • Norwegian almond ring cake (kransekake) ...
  • Norwegian gingerbread cookies (pepperkaker) ...
  • Norwegian rice pudding and porridge (riskrem and risgrøt) ...
  • Norwegian sour cream porridge (rømmegrøt)
Aug 18, 2023

What food is unique to Norway? ›

Fårikål. Fårikål is Norway's national dish and a glimpse into the country's agrarian past. It's a simple stew made with lamb, cabbage, black peppercorns, salt, and water; it's eaten in fall after the sheep are collected for the winter months.

What are the 3 most popular foods in Norway? ›

Traditionally, Norwegian food has revolved around meat or fish, potatoes, and vegetables. Since fishing and hunting have always been fairly common in Norway, a lot of Norwegians have historically caught their own dinner to serve up at mealtimes.

What are the four meals in Norway? ›

Did you know that in Norway many people eat 4 meals a day? They have breakfast, lunch, dinner, and … KVELDSMAT!

What is Norway's favorite food? ›

Dating back centuries, hearty Norwegian dishes have always been influenced by their harsh climate, with whale meat being a popular choice back in the 19th century. Yes, that's right, the national dish of Norway isn't chicken nuggets, mate. It's more likely to be a sturdy whale steak served with boiled potatoes.

What's the most popular food eaten in Norway? ›

What are the most popular Norwegian foods?
  • Fårikål. Fårikål is a quintessential Norwegian dish, embodying the simplicity and heartiness of the country's cuisine. ...
  • Kjøttkaker. ...
  • Rakfisk. ...
  • Lutefisk. ...
  • Klippfisk. ...
  • Rømmegrøt. ...
  • Pinnekjøtt. ...
  • Lefse.
Mar 13, 2024

Do Norwegians eat eggs for breakfast? ›

An extremely common breakfast dish you'll more than likely come across throughout your Norwegian cruise is laks og eggerøre, or smoked salmon and scrambled eggs.

What vegetables do Norwegians eat? ›

Because of Norway's northern clime, its most abundant produce is from plants that fare well in cool weather. Root vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, rutabaga (kålrabi),and onions, are an important part of the traditional diet. Boiled potatoes are a common and simple accompaniment for meat and game dishes.

Do Norwegians eat a lot of potatoes? ›

Although potatoes have lost some of its stronghold in Norwegian cuisine as Norwegians' taste buds are becoming more international, it is still a huge part of our diet.

What is the most common food eaten in Norway? ›

What is Norwegian Food? Your Ultimate Guide to Eating in Norway
CountryNorway
National dishMutton stew
Staple foodsFish, wild game, lamb, cabbage, potatoes, flatbreads and cheese
Culinary claim to fameSeafood, cheese, lefse, hard cider
Number of Michelin stars11 (as of February 2020)
Nov 22, 2020

How do they say hello in Norway? ›

Besides hei, you can also use the informal variants “hei, hei,” morn or heia. In the morning it's also common to wish a friendly god morgen (good morning) to others.

What are the most famous Norwegian things? ›

Soaring white mountains, breathtaking fjords, emerald-green forests, and exhilarating outdoor pursuits such as hiking and kayaking are a big part of what makes Norway famous. If you can peel yourself away from the fjords and forests, Norway is also known for its capital city, Oslo.

Is lutefisk Swedish or Norwegian? ›

Its genesis is credited to the Norwegians, but it's a dish that's served across the Nordic countries and parts of North America where those immigrants typically settled. It is called lutefisk (in Norwegian) or lutfisk (in Swedish), ludefisk (in Danish), and lipeäkala (in Finnish).

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