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    Home » Recipes » Sauces and Compote Recipes

    No Cook Lingonberry Sauce (Stirred Lingonberries)

    Published: Dec 18, 2021 · Modified: Oct 31, 2024 by Kristi · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This simple, no-cook lingonberry sauce (also known as stirred lingonberries or rårörda lingon in Swedish) is an essential component of Scandinavian cuisine. This simple mixture of lingonberries and sugar is enjoyed in the Nordic region as a sort of sweet relish. You will find it served alongside Swedish meatballs or potato pancakes or spooned over a warm bowl of porridge or buttery Swedish pancakes.

    Close up of lingonberry sauce on a spoon.

    Why This Recipe Works

    • This two ingredient sauce is simple and brings out the best in the lingonberries by leaving them uncooked.
    • The sauce contains just the right amount of sugar to mellow out the tartness of the lingonberries.

    Ingredients

    Labeled ingredients for No Cook Lingonberry Sauce.

    That's all there is to it!

    How to Make This Recipe

    • Combine the lingonberries and sugar together in a bowl (no need to defrost the lingonberries first).
    Lingonberries and sugar in a bowl.
    Lingonberries stirred together with sugar.
    • Stir the lingonberries and sugar together and let sit at room temperature until the sugar has completely dissolved, stirring the sauce occasionally to encourage that to happen.
    Close up of lingonberry sauce with a spoon.

    Expert Tips

    • Be sure to stir the mixture occasionally to help the sugar dissolve. With frozen lingonberries, this might take up to 2 hours.
    • If you are having trouble getting the sugar to dissolve (or are getting impatient) you can always pop the mixture in the microwave for 20 seconds or so. Stir and then repeat until the sugar has completely dissolved.

    Recipe FAQs

    What do lingonberries taste like?

    Lingonberries are very tart in flavor, much like a cranberry, which is why they are almost always paired with some kind of sweetener before eating. 

    Where can I buy lingonberries?

     Here in the United States, fresh lingonberries can be very difficult to find.  Frozen lingonberries are available, especially if you live somewhere with a strong Scandinavian cultural presence (I buy mine at Ingebretsen’s Nordic Marketplace in Minneapolis or online from Sturdiwheat).

    I can't find fresh or frozen lingonberries and I don't want to order them. What else can I do?

    You can almost always find preserved lingonberries or lingonberry jam (which are shelf stable prior to opening and come in a jar) at large grocery stores, Scandinavian specialty stores, IKEA or online at Amazon. They are not the same as this no-cook sauce (these products are cooked and more jam-like in texture), but they are a close second to the real thing.

    How do I store this Lingonberry Sauce?

    Store the sauce in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a few weeks.

    Can I freeze this sauce?

    Yes, this lingonberry sauce freezes very well.

    Related Recipes

    Once you make a batch of this delicious sauce, try it with one of the following recipes:

    • 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)
    • Vegetarian meatballs and cream sauce in a pan
      Really Good Vegetarian Swedish Meatballs
    • Crispy Sweet Potato Pancakes with Lingonberry Preserves and Bacon on a plate
      Crispy Sweet Potato Pancakes with Lingonberries and Bacon

    Looking for more classic Scandinavian sauce recipes? Give these a try:

    • Close up of a bowl of remoulade on a marble plate.
      Easy Danish Remoulade Sauce
    • Close up of baked salmon topped with Warm Mustard Dill Sauce and a sprig of dill.
      Warm Mustard Dill Sauce (Perfect for Salmon or Chicken)
    • Close up of round of dill caper butter on a plate next to a sprig of dill.
      3 Ingredient Dill Caper Butter
    • A bowl with herbed yogurt sauce next to fresh dill sprigs and a napkin.
      Creamy Herbed Skyr Sauce

    If you tried this No Cook Lingonberry Sauce Rårörda Lingon) recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below. I love hearing from you!

    Recipe

    Close up of lingonberry sauce on a spoon.

    No Cook Lingonberry Sauce (Stirred Lingonberries)

    A simple but essential Scandinavian condiment made with lingonberries and sugar.  Delicious on nearly everything!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: condiments
    Cuisine: Nordic, Scandinavian, Swedish
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 servings (one cup)
    Calories: 22kcal
    Author: Kristi

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup frozen lingonberries (no need to defrost)
    • ½ cup granulated sugar

    Instructions

    • Stir lingonberries and sugar together.  Let sit at room temperature, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves (this might take a couple of hours if your berries are frozen).  Store in the refrigerator for two to three weeks or freeze for longer storage.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 22kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 1mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 35IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @TrueNorthKitchen or tag #truenorthkitchen!

    If you loved this recipe, give it a star review! Also, snap a picture of your No Cook Lingonberry Sauce and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #truenorthkitchen and tagging me @true_north_kitchen

    More Nordic/Scandinavian Sauce & Compote Recipes

    • Close up of Swedish meatballs in sauce and a wooden spoon.
      Easy Swedish Meatball Sauce (Perfect for Frozen Meatballs!)
    • Close up of pear compote in an a jar.
      Simple Pear Compote
    • Overhead view of salmon, greens, Horseradish Yogurt Sauce and a lemon wedge on a plate next to a fork.
      3 Ingredient Horseradish Yogurt Sauce
    • Close up of Strawberry Rhubarb Compote on ice cream.
      Strawberry Rhubarb Compote (Easy Strawberry Rhubarb Sauce)

    Comments

    1. B says

      February 05, 2024 at 1:54 pm

      Can I use honey instead?

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        February 10, 2024 at 1:08 pm

        I've never tried it with honey but I think it would be worth a go! Let me know if you do and how it turns out!
        Kristi

        Reply
    2. Lisa A Lines says

      March 12, 2022 at 7:31 am

      5 stars
      I use super fine sugar and it dissolves quickly.

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        March 14, 2022 at 10:39 am

        Hi Lisa,
        That's a helpful tip! Thanks for sharing!
        Kristi

        Reply
    3. Victoria says

      January 01, 2021 at 12:39 pm

      I made these to go with your delicious veg meatballs and they were so tasty. I just couldn't get the sugar to dissolve completely even though I had them out at room temperature almost all day. So although delicious, and spot on with meatballs and gravy - yum, they were a bit crunchy/grainy. Is there a way to make them more smooth next time, heating them up maybe? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        January 06, 2021 at 10:36 am

        Hi Victoria,

        Thanks for your comment! Yes, if the sugar isn't dissolving you can always pop them in the microwave to help things along. I will make a note to add that to the recipe. Thanks again!

        Kristi

        Reply
    5 from 1 vote

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