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Home » Recipes

A Modern Scandinavian Christmas Eve Smörgåsbord

Published: Dec 18, 2019 · Modified: Jan 14, 2022 by Kristi · This post may contain affiliate links.

A table topped with food for a Scandinavian Christmas Eve smörgåsbord

Looking to bring a fresh and modern approach to this year's Christmas Eve Smörgåsbord? I've got you covered. I've put together a simple, elegant menu which both honors tradition and brings some new dishes to the table:

A Modern Christmas Eve Smörgåsbord

Roasted Salmon with Brown Sugar and Butter

Swedish Meatballs (prepared without gravy)

Creamy Mustard Dill Sauce

Celery Root and Potato Puree

Spicy Pickled Beets

Fresh Pickled Cucumbers

Stirred Lingonberries

Kale Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash and Pecans

Mushroom Gratin

Swedish Limpa

Lingonberry Skyr Mousse

Everything on this menu goes together beautifully.  Both the roasted salmon and the meatballs benefit from a spoonful or two of the Creamy Mustard Dill Sauce, and the Celery Root and Potato Puree provides a velvety rich base.  The Kale Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash and Pecans brings a fresh burst of green and orange to the plate, and the Mushroom Gratin a delightful mix of creamy mushrooms and crispy, buttery breadcrumbs.  The Spicy Pickled Beets, Fresh Pickled Cucumbers and Stirred Lingonberries round everything out with a bit of spicy, briny and sweet. And for dessert, a luscious Lingonberry Skyr Mousse which somehow manages to be both light and decadent at the same time. 

A table topped with food for a Scandinavian Christmas Eve smörgåsbord

Christmas Eve is a time to gather with family and friends and enjoy each other’s company.  For that reason, I intentionally designed this menu with several make ahead options so that when the guests arrive, most of the work is done.  Even those of us who love to cook want to relax and revel in the holiday festivities. This menu allows you to do just that.

Bowls of roasted beets, pickles and lingonberries with a spoon on a marble surface

My family and friends enjoyed Christmas dinner in October several weekends in a row as I tested these recipes.  While everyone had their favorites, the Celery Root and Potato Puree (“more delicious than mashed potatoes”), the Mushroom Gratin (“I love the contrast between the creamy mushrooms and the crispy, buttery breadcrumbs”), and the Lingonberry Skyr Mousse (“I would eat this every day if I could”) were clear stand-outs.  

Christmas carries with it many expectations.  Our loved ones expect to see certain foods on the table each and every year prepared in exactly the same way.  Change, when it comes to the holidays, is not always welcome. If that’s the case for you, maybe offering one or two new dishes alongside your tried and true favorites is the best way to go.  You certainly don’t have to do a whole new menu all at once. Or maybe you are ready for something modern and new, a complete overhaul of your Christmas routine. The choice is yours. Either way, I hope you give one, several or all of these recipes a try.  I wish you the happiest and most delicious of holidays! 

  • A piece of salmon on a plate with fresh dill
    Roasted Salmon with Butter and Brown Sugar
  • A close up of cooked meatballs on a sheet pan
    Swedish Meatballs
  • Creamy mustard dill sauce in a gravy boat with a spoon and fresh dill on a marble surface
    Creamy Mustard Dill Sauce
  • A bowl of potato and celery root puree with a spoon on a wooden surface
    Celery Root and Potato Puree
  • Kale salad with roasted butternut squash and pecans on a plate
    Kale Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash and Pecans
  • A close up of mushroom gratin on a spoon
    Mushroom Gratin
  • A close up of fresh pickled cucumbers in a jar
    Fresh Pickled Cucumbers
  • A jar filled with pickled beets and a fork
    Spicy Pickled Beets
  • Bowl of lingonberries with a spoon and evergreen branches
    Stirred Lingonberries
  • Sliced limpa bread on top of a wooden cutting board next to an orange
    Swedish Limpa
  • Lingonberry mousse topped with lingonberries in a glass next to a spoon
    Lingonberry Skyr Mousse


More Nordic/Scandinavian Recipes

  • Swedish Fruit Soup topped with whipped cream.
    Swedish Fruit Soup (Fruktsoppa)
  • Close up of a spoonful of Mushroom Gratin.
    Creamy Mushroom Gratin
  • Overhead view of Spiced Pear Cake with Cardamom next to pears and cardamom pods.
    Spiced Pear Cake with Cardamom
  • Close up of Danish Pancakes (æbleskiver) next to raspberry jam.
    Æbleskiver (Danish Pancakes)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marie

    December 21, 2019 at 5:11 pm

    Hej,
    Great recipes. Everything looks very good on the pictures too.
    Marie USA

    Reply
    • Kristi

      December 22, 2019 at 8:38 am

      Thanks, Marie!

      Reply
  2. Alana Rung

    December 12, 2020 at 12:07 am

    I made this as a replacement for Thanksgiving and a practice for Christmas and I AM IN LOVE! Best meal I've ever made, and feeling so much closer to my Scandinavian heritage. Can't wait to make for my family once the COVID era passes. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Kristi

      December 12, 2020 at 10:43 am

      Hi Alana,

      I'm so glad you enjoyed this meal! And I loved what you said about connecting with your Scandinavian heritage. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave me a comment. It's greatly appreciated.

      Kristi

      Reply
  3. Mary Holoun

    December 15, 2021 at 11:20 am

    My sister made your entire Julebord Menu after seeing it in the Dec. 3 NorwegianAmerican paper. Everyone loved it! Susan also adjusted the meatball recipe for her vegan daughter-in-law, leaving out the eggs. Susan especially loved the kale salad, which doesn't wilt! She's making it again for the Sons of Norway meeting in Bozeman.

    Reply
    • Kristi

      December 16, 2021 at 2:16 pm

      Hi Mary,
      So good to hear from you! I'm glad the julbord menu was enjoyed by all. It's such a delicious meal. Thanks for leaving me a comment and letting me know!
      Kristi

      Reply

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