Christmas in Sweden - Part 2: Delicious and Easy Recipes

Hej and welcome back to our blog series Christmas in Sweden. In the first part, we introduced you to the magical world of Nordic Christmas traditions.

This time, we’re taking you on a culinary journey through the Christmas season in Sweden. Let yourself be enchanted by the magic of Scandinavia and try some delicious Swedish recipes.

Glögg – A Sip of Christmas in a Cup

During the cold winters of northern Sweden, a hot drink is a much-welcomed source of warmth. But during the Christmas season, it doesn’t always have to be coffee or tea.

Whether at Swedish Christmas markets, festive gatherings, or on the Julbord: wintertime is Glögg time. The Swedish spiced mulled wine not only brings warmth to the dark and frosty season but also delights with its unique flavor. Traditionally, it is made with a red wine base and spiced with cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and cardamom. To make the last sip especially enjoyable, Glögg is often enriched with raisins and almonds.

Our Personal Glögg Recipe

There are countless recipes, and the possibilities for customizing are endless. We love creating our own variations and have some secret ingredients that we’re happy to share with you:

You’ll need:

• 1 bottle of wine (red or white)
• 2–3 cinnamon sticks
• A small piece of ginger
• A pinch of cloves
• A pinch of cardamom

Secret ingredients: 2 tablespoons of honey & a bit of freshly grated orange zest

Here’s how:

Combine all the ingredients in a pot and slowly warm the Glögg, making sure it doesn’t boil.

If you like raisins, add a teaspoon of them along with a few slivered almonds to your cup. Pour the Glögg over the top and enjoy it in good company! For a special atmosphere, prepare the Glögg over an open fire.

Ready-Made Glögg Options

If you prefer ready-made options, you’ll find a wide selection of Glögg varieties in Swedish supermarkets and at Systembolaget. These come in white, red, and rosé versions. For a fruity twist, try flavors like sea buckthorn, blueberry, raspberry, or apple. Treat your taste buds to something extraordinary and sample a Glögg with chocolate-mint, marzipan, or licorice flavor.

Christmas Spirit in Northern Sweden

In the days leading up to Christmas, we love exploring the supermarkets of northern Sweden. It’s here that you can really feel the festive season drawing closer. Alongside countless chocolate pralines and sweets, there’s a noticeable abundance of everyday foods with a festive twist. For us Central Europeans, this might sound unusual, but Christmas-themed crispbread, aromatic apple and cinnamon-flavored spread in a tube, or chips with seasonal flavors are simply part of the Swedish holiday experience.

The Julbord – Sweden’s Christmas Buffet

A highlight of the Swedish Christmas season is the Julbord, the grand Christmas buffet. It combines tradition and indulgence, offering something for every taste. The Julbord is a staple at schools, companies, and public institutions. You can even enjoy the Swedish buffet at IKEA in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Typical Dishes at the Julbord

From savory to sweet, the Swedish Christmas buffet offers something for every palate. We've spoken to several Swedes about the Julbord, and many of them shared with a smile that the grand buffet isn’t just a Christmas tradition. It highlights the festive nature of Swedish cuisine and is also popular during Easter, Midsummer, and other celebrations.

Looking at the list of dishes, it’s easy to understand why. The Julbord usually begins with a variety of fish dishes, followed by classic meat options and vegetarian alternatives. Numerous side dishes and sweet treats complete the buffet.

Starters & Sides

The Julbord begins with a wide selection of pickled herring varieties. The most popular flavors include dill marinade, mustard sauce, or onion with spices. Alongside, you’ll often find Gravad Lax, cured salmon with dill and a sweet mustard sauce, crispbread, and butter.

Stuffed eggs are another popular starter at the Julbord. Quick and easy to prepare, they’re gone in one bite.

Ingredients:

• 6 eggs
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise or remoulade
• 1 tsp mustard (mild, medium, or hot, to taste)
• A pinch of salt
• A pinch of pepper
• Fresh herbs (e.g., dill, chives, or parsley)

Preparation:

1. Hard-boil the eggs, let them cool, and cut them in half lengthwise.
2. Carefully remove the yolks and mix them in a bowl with all the other ingredients until smooth.
3. Use two teaspoons to fill the egg halves with the mixture.
4. Keep the stuffed eggs chilled until serving.

For those who prefer to skip fish, three Swedish meat classics are waiting: Köttbullar (meatballs), Prinskorv (small sausages), and Julskinka (Christmas ham).

Vegetarian and Vegan Alternatives

Prefer vegetarian or vegan options? Many dishes can easily be prepared plant-based. Alternatively, supermarkets offer a wide range of vegan or vegetarian substitutes for fish, meat, and more. The rich variety of side dishes also provides plenty of options. The tangy taste of pickled cucumbers, mixed pickles, or raw vegetable salads made from white or pointed cabbage pairs perfectly with the meat selection. The earthy flavor of beetroot salad is another highlight for your taste buds.

Raw vegetable salads are not only healthy and quick to prepare but also stay fresh in the fridge for several days. Crispbread, butter, and a cheese platter complete the spread.

And of course, here’s our personal recipe for delicious meatballs and a simple potato gratin:

Köttbullar – Juicy, Delicious, and a Must-Have on the Julbord

The famous Swedish meatballs, Köttbullar, are incredibly juicy and flavorful. We love serving them the classic way, in a rich brown sauce. They pair perfectly with a potato gratin.

The Swedish potato casserole Janssons Frestelse (Jansson's Temptation) is delicious all year round. Whether with or without anchovy fillets, this casserole is perfect for cozy winter days or the cooler seasons – entirely in Swedish style.

Juicy, delicious Köttbullar can be made with this simple recipe. We like to refine the small meatballs with mustard and parsley. Easy, tasty, and guaranteed to work every time:

You need:

• 500 g minced meat
• 1 egg
• 50 g breadcrumbs or a slice of toast
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 small garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 100 ml milk
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• 1 tsp mustard
• A pinch of nutmeg
• Parsley
• Oil for frying

Here’s how:

• Mix the breadcrumbs or toast with the milk in a bowl and let it soak briefly.

• Add the minced meat, egg, onion, garlic, spices, and parsley. Mix everything well until it forms a uniform mass.

• Shape small meatballs and fry them in a pan with a little oil until golden brown on all sides.

• For the classic version, serve the meatballs in a brown sauce. Potato casserole or mashed potatoes go perfectly with them!

Our recipe for Janssons Frestelse

This classic Swedish potato casserole is creamy, hearty, and gets a pleasant spice from the addition of anchovies.

You need:

Ingredients (for 4 people):

• 1 kg waxy potatoes
• 2 onions
• 200 ml cream
• 200 ml milk
• 1 jar anchovy fillets (or alternatively sardine fillets)
• 2 tbsp breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

• Preheat the oven to 200°C (top/bottom heat).

• Peel the potatoes and cut them into fine, thin strips.

• Peel the onions, halve them, and cut them into fine rings or cubes.

• Grease a casserole dish and place a layer of potatoes in it. Add a layer of onions and anchovies on top. Repeat this process until all ingredients are used up.

• Mix the cream and milk, season with salt and pepper. Be careful with the salt, as the anchovies are already salty. Pour the mixture over the potatoes.

• Evenly sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the casserole and dot with small pieces of butter.

• Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for about 45–60 minutes, until the potatoes are soft and the surface is golden brown.

• Let Janssons Frestelse rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your meal!

At a Swedish Julbord, you'll find Prinskorv, small fried prince sausages, and Julskinka. The Swedish Christmas ham is baked with a delicious mustard crust. Since we haven’t tried making the ham ourselves, we’ll skip it and go straight to the desserts.

A sweet finale

A successful Christmas dinner isn’t complete without a delightful cheese platter and a sweet dessert. Risgrynsgröt, Swedish rice pudding, is often the highlight of the Julbord. Traditionally, a single almond is hidden in the rice pudding, and it’s served with cinnamon and sugar for a festive aroma. It’s said that whoever finds the almond will have extra good luck in the coming year. And as mentioned in Part 1, it’s customary to leave a small bowl of the rice pudding for the little house elf on Christmas Eve.

We haven’t tried making Swedish caramel, known as Knäck, ourselves yet. However, it’s said to be simple to prepare. You’ll need equal parts of sugar, cream, and syrup. The ingredients are heated in a pot until caramelized, then poured into small paper candy molds.

Since dentists in northern Sweden are scarce, we might skip the sticky caramel treat this year.

Stress-free Christmas – more time for the little moments

For many, the holidays are associated with stress and high expectations – but in Sweden, Christmas seems to carry a different, more relaxed meaning. The Scandinavian lifestyle is characterized by calmness, mindfulness with time, and a clear focus on what truly matters. This is what makes not only the country and culture but also the holiday season so special here.

Stress is consciously avoided – whether in daily life or during holiday preparations. Regular breaks and a calm approach to everyday tasks are simply part of life here. Compared to our German culture, a little more tranquility in daily life could bring only benefits. Mindfulness with oneself and the environment not only enhances well-being but also strengthens the immune system. If it’s possible to improve both physical and mental health – why not adopt a bit of the Scandinavian lifestyle?

Instead of hustle and perfectionism, we celebrate life’s little joys. We take the time to savor special moments – whether through good food, cozy conversations, or a cup of Glögg.

Our small, cozy Christmas celebration

This year, we are spending the holidays in a very small circle. Who knows, maybe next year we’ll convince family and friends that –20 degrees and the campfire romance of a northern Swedish winter have a unique charm.

Even though we sometimes miss the atmosphere and liveliness of larger celebrations, the solitude and wintertime in northern Sweden have their own charm: we can enjoy quiet moments, feel the serenity of the Scandinavian lifestyle, and fully focus on the little joys – a delicious meal, a warm drink, and the magic of a white Christmas right outside the door.

No matter how you celebrate your holidays – with all the delicious food, cozy and casual clothing is definitely the best choice.

Share your Christmas moments with us!

We’re thrilled if you enjoyed reading, and maybe you even feel inspired to try one or two of the recipes.

Tag us on Instagram at @NORRGANIC_Shop and share your most beautiful Christmas moments with us! Let’s bring a little winter magic and coziness into the world together.

Wishing you all the best and a relaxed, cozy Christmas season,

Thorsten, Tamara & Teddy