Scandi…Cooking?
At first glance this blog looks very baking-focused—and that makes sense, it’s called Skandibaking. But we also love cooking, and over the past year and a half we’ve shared many savory dinner recipes. Today we want to highlight some of our favorite savory dishes, especially the ones we cook most often at home.
Scandinavian Cuisine
Scandinavian food has many faces. The high-end Nordic cuisine you see in top restaurants is known for being refined and modern, but traditional home cooking is often heartier and more comforting. Most everyday Scandi meals are simple, filling, and built around familiar ingredients. That doesn’t mean they’re boring—these dishes are satisfying, easy to prepare, and full of flavor.
A typical hearty Scandinavian plate usually includes three components: protein, a carbohydrate, and vegetables. Traditionally the protein is meat—pork is especially popular in Denmark—and potatoes are the most common carbohydrate. Modern diets have diversified, with many people choosing vegetarian options or swapping potatoes for rice, pasta, or other grains, but you’ll still find plenty of potato-based recipes here.
Meat Recipes
Our favorite classic dinner is meatballs. We feature two main versions: Danish frikadeller and Swedish köttbullar. Frikadeller are large, rustic meatballs with a crisp exterior and juicy interior, traditionally made from a mix of pork, veal, and beef, though you can adapt the meats to your preference. They’re excellent with mashed or boiled potatoes and a simple vegetable on the side. Recipe can be found here.
Köttbullar are smaller Swedish meatballs seasoned with allspice and nutmeg, giving them a distinct, warm flavor. They’re traditionally served with mashed potatoes, rich gravy, and lingonberry jam—a combo that balances savory and sweet beautifully. They’re beloved in Sweden and by anyone who has tried them at IKEA. Find the recipe at this link.
Fish Recipes
Fish is a staple in Scandinavian cooking—healthy, flavorful, and versatile. Two of our favorites are fiskefrikadeller (fish cakes) and fisk med persillesovs (pan-fried fish with parsley sauce). Our fiskefrikadeller use cod and are simple to make: crispy on the outside and tender inside. They’re excellent with remoulade for dipping—an ideal combination for a midweek meal. Check out the fiskefrikadeller recipe here.
Fisk med persillesovs is straightforward: pan-fried cod served with a fragrant parsley sauce. The flaky fish and bright, herby sauce pair well together. Serve this with hasselback potatoes for a meal that feels both special and homey.
Vegetarian / Vegetarian-friendly Recipes
We offer several meat-free options that are hearty and satisfying. Two of our madtærte (quiche) recipes are excellent vegetarian choices: a potato-and-leek quiche and a summer version with tomatoes, spinach, and mozzarella. While quiche isn’t originally Scandinavian, it fits perfectly into a comforting, home-style dinner rotation. Find our potato and leek quiche recipe here and our summer quiche recipe here.
Our split pea soup, gule ærter, is another comforting dish that can easily be made vegetarian. Traditionally it includes bacon or ham, but you can omit the meat or replace it with mushrooms or another umami-rich vegetable to keep the flavor depth. This soup is thick, warming, and perfect for chilly evenings. Find the recipe here.
Find Other Recipes
That wraps up this roundup of savory favorites. We only covered a selection—there are many more dinner recipes on the blog. You can view the entire “dinner” category to explore more hearty, straightforward dishes. Our aim is to share recipes that are easy to make with everyday ingredients so you can enjoy comforting, delicious meals without fuss. Tell us in the comments which of these dishes you’d like to try or which is your favorite!