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This collection of Swedish recipes spans the calendar, from saffron-scented tea cakes for Saint Lucia’s Day to dill-flecked spinach soup and crisp quick-pickled cucumbers perfect for a Midsummer smörgåsbord. Whether you’re grilling mushrooms over juniper smoke or prepping a cardamom-infused baked French toast, these Swedish recipes invite you into a cuisine that’s deeply seasonal and always worth sharing.
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Grilled Mushrooms with Smoked Crème Fraîche
Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer and John Somerall / Prop Styling by Audrey Davis
In this recipe inspired by Swedish chef (and mushroom forager) Elle Nikishkova, oyster and chanterelle mushrooms are grilled over applewood and juniper for layered, foresty depth. Pair them with crème fraîche smoked over juniper berries for a satisfyingly elemental dish.
Saffron Tea Cakes
Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Thom Driver
Buttery and golden with saffron, these brioche-based tea cakes echo the lussekatter of Swedish Santa Lucia celebrations. At Chicago’s Lost Larson bakery, Timmy Gibbons and Bobby Schaffer add golden raisins and warm spices to make this holiday-inspired treat.
Swedish White Glögg
James Ransom / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Julia Bayless
Marcus Samuelsson’s light and aromatic white glögg blends white and rosé wines with vodka, citrus, and winter spices. Served warm, it’s an homage to Samuelsson’s Swedish heritage that’s bright and festive without the heaviness of a more traditional mulled wine.
Cardamom Baked French Toast
Antonis Achilleos / Food Styling by Rishon Hanners
This cozy breakfast bake channels the flavor of kardemummabullar, Swedish cardamom buns, with spice-spread challah slices soaked in custard and topped with pearl sugar. Crunchy on top, creamy beneath, it’s a Nordic take on brunch.
My Grandmother’s Meatballs
John Kernick
Chef Magnus Nilsson’s tender, milk-and-cream soaked meatballs are a loving nod to family and tradition. Serve them Swedish-style, with buttery mashed potatoes and tart lingonberry jam.
Swedish Pancakes with Lingonberry Compote
Con Poulos
Thin and lacy like crêpes, these Swedish pancakes are Andrew Zimmern’s breakfast of choice. Serve sweet or savory, but preferably with a spoonful of tart lingonberry jam.
Scandinavian Rye Bread
Tara Fisher
Dense, dark, and deeply flavorful, this Scandinavian-style bread from expert baker Lionel Vatinet is made with locally milled rye flour, rye berries, millet, and oats. Each slice is as hearty as it is delicious.
Finnish Sticks
John Kernick
Despite the name, these almond cookies from chef Magnus Nilsson are fika (or coffee break) favorites in Sweden. Crisp-edged and delicately nutty, they’re perfect alongside a cup of strong coffee.
Creamy Spinach Soup with Dill
John Kernick
Adapted from Magnus Nilsson’s The Nordic Cookbook, this vibrant spinach soup has all the flavor of creamed spinach but a lighter, herb-inflected body.
Quick-Pickled Sweet Cucumbers
John Kernick
Ready in 15 minutes, these ultra-thin, sweet-sour pickled cucumbers from chef Magnus Nilsson make for a light counterpoint to richer dishes, like his grandmother’s cream-soaked meatballs.
Swedish Butter Cookies
Chris Court
Smör bullar are Sweden’s take on the classic crumbly pecan cookie sometimes called Mexican wedding cakes, pecan sandies, polvorones, kourabiedes, and more. Light, buttery, and delicously nutty, this recipe comes from Swedish cook Marge Peterson.
Swedish Sugared Sweet Pretzels
John Kernick
Magnus Nilsson shares another fika-ready recipe to enjoy with coffee or tea: tender pretzels brushed with butter and rolled in sugar.
Swedish Caviar Cake
Ailine Liefeld
This chilled savory custard, topped with crème fraîche, onions, and roe, is an essential part of baker Malin Elmlid’s family holiday smörgåsbords: They serve it at Christmas as well as Midsommar.
Swedish Meatballs
Fredrika Stjärne
Fredrika Stjärne’s family meatball recipe includes a touch of celery salt, her father’s secret addition. She now makes this recipe with her own kids. (Tiny hands make the ideal meatball size.)
Pepparkakor
These crisp, spiced ginger cookies are a Swedish Christmas staple. Sprinkle generously with large-grained turbinado sugar for extra crunch.