There’s something undeniably joyful about a hot dog - simple, nostalgic, and endlessly customizable. But in Scandinavia, the humble hot dog becomes something more. From the Norwegian pølse wrapped in soft lompe with creamy potato salad, to the Danish version smothered in tangy remoulade and crunchy pickles, to the over-the-top Swedish tunnbrödrulle stuffed with mashed potatoes and shrimp salad - these regional takes are anything but ordinary.
Whether you're celebrating Midsummer, hosting a backyard get-together, or just want a fun and easy dinner idea, Scandinavian-inspired hot dogs are always a crowd pleaser! Make one of the versions below or create a hot dog bar (tips below) and let guests mix and match. It's interactive, playful, and a delicious way to explore the flavors of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark — one bite at a time.
Let's explore the three regional styles of Scandinavian hot dogs — each with its own unique flair!
🇳🇴 Norwegian Hot Dogs (Pølse med Lompe)
Norwegian Hot Dogs (Pølse med Lompe) are wrapped in soft flatbread (typically a soft potato flatbread called lompe) and topped with:
- Creamy potato salad - like this Herbed Potato Salad with Buttermilk Dressing) or shrimp salad (this Swedish Shrimp Salad would be perfect!)
- Crispy onions - the French's brand is always a good choice.
- Raw onions
- Lingonberry sauce or jam, ketchup and/ or mustard
Lompe can be hard to find outside of Norway so feel free to substitute any thin flatbread, lefse or flour tortillas.
🇩🇰 Danish Hot Dogs (Rød Pølse)
If you’ve ever strolled the streets of Copenhagen, you know that Danish Hot Dogs (Rød Pølse) are an absolute must-try. Served from colorful pølsevogn (hot dog stands), these bright red sausages are snappy, savory, and topped sky-high with:
- Danish remoulade - a creamy and addictive sauce flavored with curry powder.
- Sliced pickles - give these homemade Quick Swedish Pickled Cucumbers a try here. They are fabulous!
- Crispy fried onions
A store bought hot dog bun will do just fine for these. A friend of mine who happens to be a Danish chef loves to wrap his hot dog in a homemade waffle (like these Norwegian Waffles). Give it a try if you're craving a bit of a salty/sweet experience!
🇸🇪 Swedish Hot Dogs (Tunnbrödrulle)
These Swedish Hot Dogs (tunnbrödrulle) are perhaps the most interesting (and surprisingly delicious) twist on classic hot dog fare. Wrapped in soft flatbread called tunnbröd) and generously topped with:
- Mashed potatoes
- Crispy fried onions
- Creamy Swedish Shrimp Salad (Skagenröra)
- Lettuce greens (optional)
- Ketchup and/or mustard (optional)
Use my recipe for homemade tunnbröd for wrapping your hot dogs or buy a thin flatbread from the store.
Build Your Own Scandinavian Hot Dog Bar
One of the best ways to serve these regional hot dogs is buffet-style, letting guests mix, match, and explore the flavors of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark at their own pace. A Scandinavian hot dog bar is fun, festive, and surprisingly easy to pull off — perfect for a summer party or casual backyard dinner.
Here’s how to set it up:
The Base
Offer a mix of:
- Norwegian lompe, lefse or flour tortillas
- Swedish tunnbröd or any soft flatbread or wrap
- Traditional hot dog buns
Warm them slightly and wrap them in a clean kitchen towel or napkin to keep them soft.
The Hot Dogs
Use high-quality hot dogs with a natural casing if possible. Grill or boil them just before serving and keep them warm in a covered dish or slow cooker.
Organize Toppings by Country
Set the toppings out by country for ease of assembly:
🇳🇴 Norwegian
- Creamy herbed potato salad (purchase or make ahead of time)
- Crispy fried onions
- Raw chopped onion
- Lingonberry jam
- Ketchup & mustard (Scandinavian-style if available)
🇩🇰 Danish
- Danish remoulade (make ahead)
- Pickled cucumbers (purchase or make ahead)
- Crispy fried onions
🇸🇪 Swedish
- Warm mashed potatoes (a slow cooker set to warm works great!)
- Creamy shrimp salad (make ahead)
- Crispy fried onions
- Optional: undressed spring mix greens
It might be helpful to include small flags next to each country's station and a checklist of what goes on each traditional version. But at the same time, encourage people to mix and match! Your guests will have a blast customizing their own Nordic creation — and you’ll have an easy, hands-off meal that sparks conversation and fun.
Other Side Dishes and Drinks
In addition to the hot dogs, include:
- Potato chips
- this colorful Nordic slaw with Red Cabbage and Beets (which would also be great on the hot dogs, incidentally)
- a bright Lemon Cucumber Salad with Dill
- Perhaps a different style of potato salad (like this Herbed Potato Salad with Capers and Pickled Golden Beets)
Don't forget the beverages! I suggest beer, aquavit, snaps, elderflower sodas and lemon sparkling waters.
👉 Which Scandinavian Hot Dog will you try first? How did your hot dog party go? What was everyone's favorite? I can't wait to hear about it!
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