Here are 9 Norwegian Christmas dishes that you simply must try for a true taste of Jul!
Norwegians typically have just one main dish on Christmas Eve. However, for simplicity, we'll draw some inspiration from the Italians and start our list with seafood ...
Juletorsk ('Christmas cod'), from southern and southwestern Norway, and julekveite ('Christmas halibut') are cherished holiday dishes. Dating back to the 1800s, these traditions remain alive in many Norwegian homes.
Julesild (traditional Norwegian pickled herring) is a Christmas staple. Typically served on hearty rye bread, it comes in all sorts of delicious varieties!
Lutefisk is stockfish that’s been through a transformation: soaked in water, marinated in lye (!), and then soaked again. It’s one of Norway's oldest Christmas traditions and just might be the original Norwegian holiday feast!
Now it’s time for something for you meat lovers!
Some might say pinnekjøtt is the undisputed champion of Christmas dinners, especially people from Western Norway! Pinnekjøtt (literally 'stick meat') is a dish made from lamb ribs, salted (and sometimes smoked) to preserve all that rich flavour.
Ribbe, Norwegian pork ribs, is another star in the Norwegian culinary universe. The ultimate goal is juicy, tender meat with the crispiest crackling that’ll have you coming back for seconds (or thirds). It’s the second most popular dish in Norway, right after pinnekjøtt!
Medisterkaker are traditional Norwegian meatballs made from ground pork and flavoured with seasonal spices, making them the perfect accompaniment to ribbe!
Craving something sweet?
Risgrøt, or rice porridge, is a creamy dish made from short-grain rice and milk. Topped with sugar, cinnamon, and a generous pat of butter, it's the ultimate comfort food, traditionally served between breakfast and dinner on Christmas Eve.
Santa’s porridge is traditionally left out for Fjøsnissen, Norway’s version of Santa Claus, on Christmas Eve to thank him for delivering all those presents!
Baking seven types of cookies for Christmas is a long-standing Norwegian tradition. The number seven was seen as lucky, which is why people filled their tins with that many varieties...
While the cookies vary by region and family, they typically included smultringer, sandkaker, sirupssnipper, berlinerkranser, goro, krumkaker, and fattigmann. For a twist, try gingerbread cookies with blue cheese!
Multekrem is a rich dessert made with whipped cream and cloudberries, also known as 'the golden berry' of Norway. Traditionally served with krumkaker or kransekake, it’s a uniquely Norwegian treat, at once both sweet, tart, and creamy!
Where there’s traditional food, there are bound to be traditional drinks, too...
Gløgg is Norway’s answer to mulled wine, and can be enjoyed with or without alcohol. Use delicious Norwegian apple juice as a base, and spice with cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom - perfect for cosy winter evenings by the fire.
Many Norwegians especially enjoy two complementary beverages at Christmas: beer and aquavit.
'Christmas beer' (juleøl) is darker, richer, and stronger than regular beer. Historically, brewing one’s own beer was expected, and gathering to drink it was considered an almost sacred act.
Aquavit, a spicy Nordic potato spirit aged in oak casks, complements rich Christmas food beautifully.
Give yourself a treat before Christmas! Experience the holiday atmosphere.
Christmas traditions in Norway are as varied as the country itself. Here are some of the tastiest Norwegian holiday treats.
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