Smörgåsbord
A traditional Swedish buffet featuring a wide array of dishes, typically served during celebrations and holidays. It's designed for guests to enjoy multiple courses and selections.
🧂 Ingredients
- 300 g Pickled Herring(Various types like matjes or dill herring are common. Ensure it's well-drained.)
- 400 g Gravlax (cured salmon)(Can be homemade or store-bought. Slice thinly.)
- 500 g Swedish Meatballs (Köttbullar)(Small, savory meatballs, often made with a mix of beef and pork. Best served warm.)
- Varies g Assorted Cheeses(Include hard and soft cheeses, such as Västerbottensost, Prästost, or a mild cream cheese.)
- Varies g Assorted Cold Cuts(Examples include ham, roast beef, smoked turkey, and pâté.)
- Varies pieces Assorted Breads(Include crispbread (knäckebröd), rye bread, and soft rolls.)
- Varies g Butter(Unsalted butter is preferred.)
- 1 kg Potatoes(For boiling, mashing, or roasting. Often served with dill.)
- Varies types Salads(Examples include potato salad, beetroot salad, and green salads.)
- Varies types Pickled Vegetables(Such as pickled cucumbers, onions, and beetroot.)
- Varies jars Lingonberry Jam(A classic accompaniment to meatballs.)
- 6-12 pieces Hard-boiled Eggs(Often served with herring or as a garnish.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare cold fish dishes: Arrange the pickled herring and gravlax on platters. Ensure the gravlax is thinly sliced. Garnish with dill, lemon wedges, and hard-boiled egg slices if desired. These can be prepared a day in advance and chilled.
⏱️ 30-45 minutes - 2
Prepare cold meats, cheeses, and salads: Slice cold cuts and arrange them attractively on platters. Assemble cheese boards with a variety of cheeses. Prepare or arrange potato salad, beetroot salad, and any other desired salads. Ensure all are chilled.
⏱️ 45-60 minutes - 3
Prepare hot dishes: Cook the Swedish meatballs according to your recipe until browned and cooked through. Keep warm. Prepare any other hot dishes like Janssons Frestelse (potato gratin) or baked fish. Heat through any pre-made hot items.
⏱️ 1-2 hours - 4
Prepare breads and accompaniments: Slice breads and arrange them on a bread basket. Place butter, lingonberry jam, and pickled vegetables in serving dishes. Ensure all components are ready and at the correct temperature (cold items chilled, hot items warm).
⏱️ 15-20 minutes - 5
Arrange the Smörgåsbord: Set up a large table or buffet area. Arrange all the prepared dishes in a logical order, typically starting with herring and fish, followed by cold cuts and cheeses, then salads, and finally the hot dishes. Place bread, butter, and accompaniments within easy reach. Ensure there is enough space for guests to move around and serve themselves.
⏱️ 30-45 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Smörgåsbord is traditionally eaten in courses: start with herring, then other fish, followed by cold meats and cheeses, and finally the hot dishes.
- ✓This is a staple for Swedish holidays like Christmas (Julbord), Midsummer, and Easter.
- ✓Encourage guests to take multiple trips to the buffet to sample all the different offerings.
- ✓Presentation is key! Use attractive platters and garnishes to make the buffet visually appealing.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Midsummer Smörgåsbord: Often includes more fresh seafood, new potatoes with dill, and strawberries.
- Easter Smörgåsbord: May feature lamb dishes, eggs, and spring vegetables.
- Modern Smörgåsbord: Can incorporate international influences or cater to specific dietary needs.