• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
True North Kitchen
  • Nordic/Scandinavian Recipes
  • Nordic & Scandinavian Recipes Index
  • About Me
  • Contact/Work with Me
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Spring
  • Recipe Index
  • Nordic Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Spring
    • Recipe Index
    • Nordic Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Smørrebrød Recipes

    Italian Salad and Ham Smørrebrød

    Published: Apr 4, 2019 · Modified: Nov 18, 2024 by Kristi · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    An open ham sandwich on a plate with a fork
    Italian Salad and Ham Smørrebrød

    This is old-school smørrebrød at its best: a creamy, mustardy salad studded with carrots, peas and asparagus and a bit of savory ham along side. So very simple and straightforward. So simple and straightforward, in fact, that I have flipped by it in recipe books for months passing it over because it just didn't seem very exciting. But in the spirit of tackling some of the more classic Nordic open sandwiches, I decided to give it a try. I'm so glad I did. This is a serious lunch upgrade from your standard ham sandwich and just a little work to make the Italian Salad which is obviously what makes this smørrebrød so special.

    Why is it called Italian Salad? Some say it because the colors are reminiscent of the Italian flag. Others say that is in reference to the European tradition of combining mayonnaise and vegetables. Either way it's delicious. Maybe keep this recipe in mind if you are making a ham for Easter. It would be an excellent way to use up those leftovers!

    Recipe

    An open ham sandwich on a plate with a fork

    Italian Salad and Ham Smørrebrød

    A classic smørrebrød comprised of a creamy, mustardy vegetable salad and savory ham alongside.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: lunch, sandwich, smørrebrød
    Cuisine: Danish, Nordic, Scandinavian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 open sandwiches
    Calories: 262kcal
    Author: Kristi

    Ingredients

    For the Smørrebrød:

    • 4 slices dense rye bread thin slices
    • Butter for spreading
    • Baby arugula or other small salad greens
    • 4 slices ham thinly sliced
    • Italian Salad recipe follows
    • Chopped chives for serving

    For the Italian Salad:

    • pinch Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
    • ½ cup frozen peas
    • 3 small to medium size carrots peeled and cut into ½ inch cubes (about ½ cup)
    • 8 thin asparagus spears chopped into 1 inch lengths
    • 2 tbsp mayonnaise
    • 2 tbsp sour cream
    • 1 tbsp dijon mustard

    Instructions

    • Combine cold water and several ice cubes in a bowl.  Set aside.
    • Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add a good sprinkle of salt.  Add carrots to the boiling water and cook for 4-5 minutes or until just tender. Remove from the water with a slotted spoon and transfer to the bowl of ice water to stop the cooking.  Add asparagus to the boiling water. Cook 2-3 minutes or until just tender (if all you can find is thick asparagus spears, this will take more time). Transfer to the ice bath with the carrots.  Add the peas to the boiling water. Cook 1 minute and transfer to the icy water. Drain vegetables.
    • In a medium bowl whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream and mustard.  Add vegetables and gently mix to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste (you may not need any).
    • Transfer bread slices to a work surface.  Spread with butter and top with lettuce greens.  Add a slice of ham and a generous dollop of the Italian Salad.  
    • Garnish with chopped chives (parsley or dill would also be nice).  Serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 262kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 660mg | Potassium: 398mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 8152IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @TrueNorthKitchen or tag #truenorthkitchen!

    More Nordic/Scandinavian Smørrebrød Recipes

    • Close up of a slice of Smörgåstårta (Swedish Sandwich Cake).
      Smörgåstårta (Swedish Sandwich Cake)
    • Close up of Chicken Salad Smørrebrød topped with microgreens.
      Chicken Salad Open Faced Sandwiches (Hønsesalat Smørrebrød)
    • Close up of Blue Cheese and Pear Appetizer.
      Blue Cheese and Pear Appetizers
    • Kavring bread sliced on a wooden cutting board.
      Kavring (The Easiest Swedish Rye Bread)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jenn Støttrup

      December 24, 2024 at 2:04 pm

      5 stars
      I've made this a few times as a way to expose my extended family to my Danish heritage. I always serve with rye and Italian bread as some people don't care for rye. Always a hit! I've also made it replacing the sour cream with spreadable cream cheese! This gives it a little richer flavor, and holds together better for canapés

      Reply
    2. Dienia Bennett

      June 03, 2023 at 6:05 pm

      5 stars
      Loved this I made this for the Copenhagen leg of my game on recipezazz

      Reply
    5 from 2 votes

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome!

    Hi, I'm Kristi! Welcome to my cozy Nordic kitchen!

    More about me

    Popular Posts

    • Featured image for Soft and Tender Buttermilk Bread.
      Soft and Tender Buttermilk Bread
    • Close up of Soft Rye Dinner Rolls.
      Soft Rye Dinner Rolls
    • Swedish semla bun closeup.
      Easy Swedish Semla (Traditional Lenten Buns)
    • Close up of cardamom bun.
      Traditional Swedish Cardamom Buns (Kardemummabullar)
    • Close up of Easy Swedish Crispbread (Knäckebröd) on a plate.
      Easy Swedish Crispbread (Knäckebröd)
    • Soft Dill Bread on a cutting board next to a towel and a sprig of dill.
      Soft Dill Bread (made with Cottage Cheese)

    Holiday Posts

    • Slices of Swedish Limpa Bread
      Swedish Limpa Bread
    • A close up of a stack of Swedish Ginger Cookies (Pepparkakor).
      Swedish Ginger Cookies (Pepparkakor)
    • Vegetarian meatballs and cream sauce in a pan
      Really Good Vegetarian Swedish Meatballs
    • Close up of a pile of krumkaker.
      Krumkake (Traditional Norwegian Waffle Cookies)
    • Close up of 3 Swedish pancakes on a plate topped with lingonberries.
      Traditional Swedish Pancakes (Pannkakor) with Lingonberries
    • Featured image for Swedish Meatballs with Gravy.
      Easy Swedish Meatballs with Gravy (Köttbullar)

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About
    Work with Me
    Contact
    Disclosure and Privacy Policy
    Accessibility Statement

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 True North Kitchen

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.