Traditional Toast Skagen (Swedish Shrimp Toasts)

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Elegant, simple, and utterly delicious, Toast Skagen is a beloved Scandinavian appetizer made with buttery toasted bread and a luxurious topping of Creamy Shrimp Salad (Skagenröra) flavored with dill. It's a classic Swedish dish that delivers both sophistication and comfort in every bite - perfect for special occasions or anytime you want to serve something a little extra.

Close up of Toast Skagen topped with caviar and a sprig of dill.

Traditionally, Toast Skagen is enjoyed in Sweden as a starter at festive dinners, holiday gatherings, or celebratory lunches, especially during spring and summer. It's also a popular dish during Midsummer celebrations or as a first course at a classic Swedish smörgåsbord.

Looking to create a full Nordic menu? Pair Toast Skagen with other Scandinavian favorites like Homemade Gravlax, Creamy Deviled Eggs with Dill, or a slice of Swedish Cheese Pie. And don't forget to serve it with a crisp glass of white wine or a shot of chilled aquavit for a truly authentic experience.

The Ingredients

Ingredients need to make Toast Skagen: white bread, lemons, butter, skagenröra, caviar, dill.

A delicious and easy skagenröra (Swedish shrimp salad) recipe is the most important component of Toast Skagen. Find a link to my quick recipe for skagenröra right here. It only takes about 10 minutes to make and starts with easy-to-work-with frozen cooked shrimp.
Store bought sliced white bread makes perfectly crisp and toasty bread triangles which form the base of Toast Skagen.
Swedish Shrimp Toasts are typically topped with a dollop of caviar before serving along with a squeeze of lemon and a sprig of dill.

Variations

No caviar - Skip it entirely or instead, add a few capers to the top of each toast, a sprinkle of chopped parsley or lemon zest, a sprig of dill or a thin slice of cucumber instead.

How To Make Toast Skagen

Skagenröra in a glass bowl with a rubber spatula.

Begin by making the skagenröra. Find the quick and easy recipe here.

Crispy white bread triangles in a nonstick skillet.

Cut the crusts off the white bread and cut each slice into 2 triangles. Butter both sides of the triangles and place about half of the toasts in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until both sides of the bread triangles are deeply golden brown and crisp.

Crispy white bread toast triangles on a marble serving platter.

Remove from the skillet and transfer to a serving platter. Repeat with remaining bread triangles.

Toast Skagen on a marble serving platter with lemon wedges.

Top each toast triangle with a spoonful of skagenröra and a small dollop of caviar or caper relish. Finish with a small sprig of dill if desired. Serve with lemon wedges.

Expert Tip

Cook the buttered bread until it is deeply golden and crisp. The buttery toast should be sturdy enough to support the shrimp salad without becoming soggy, while providing the signature contrast between warm, crunchy bread and the cool, creamy topping.

FAQs

Can I make these Swedish Shrimp Toasts ahead of time?

You can make the shrimp salad up to a day ahead of time and store it tightly covered in the refrigerator, but the toasts will get soggy if they are made too far in advance. For best results, have the buttered bread triangles ready to go and cook them shortly (30 - 60 minutes) before serving.

Help! I can't find/don't like caviar. What else can I use as a topping for this recipe?

Skip it entirely or instead, add a few capers to the top of each toast, a sprinkle of chopped parsley or lemon zest, a sprig of dill or a thin slice of cucumber.

Why is this dish called Toast Skagen?

Despite its name, Toast Skagen is actually Swedish. The dish was created in the 1950s by renowned Swedish chef Tore Wretman, who is said to have invented it while sailing near the Danish town of Skagen during a regatta. Inspired by the coastal setting, he combined buttery toast with a creamy shrimp salad and fish roe.

Toast Skagen soon appeared on the menu at his Stockholm restaurant, Riche, and quickly became one of Sweden's most iconic appetizers. Today it's served everywhere from casual cafés to fine dining restaurants and is especially popular as a festive starter for holidays and celebrations.

Looking for more Scandinavian inspired appetizer recipes? Give these a try:

If you tried this Traditional Toast Skagen (Swedish Shrimp Toast) 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!

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