How to Make the Perfect Smorgasbord Platter
Swedish · Medium · 45 min · 8 servings
The Swedish smorgasbord is the ultimate festive table spread, traditionally featuring a carefully curated selection of pickled herring, cured meats, cheeses, and bread served in a specific order from light to rich. It is less a single recipe and more a grand Swedish tradition that brings people together around the table for hours.
Why this recipe works
This Smorgasbord Platter recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 45 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 480 calories with 26g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 400 g pickled herring in mustard and dill variety
- 300 g gravlax or smoked salmon sliced
- 400 g assorted Swedish cold cuts including preskott and falukorv
- 300 g Swedish hard cheese such as vasterbottensost
- 8 slices knackebrod Swedish crispbread
- 200 g assorted pickles including pickled cucumber and beetroot
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Herring
Remove the pickled herring from their jars and arrange several varieties in small individual serving bowls or on small plates. Traditional smorgasbord always begins with herring and should include at least two different preparations such as mustard herring and matjes herring. Garnish with fresh dill and thinly sliced red onion.
Step 2: Arrange the Fish and Meat
Arrange the sliced gravlax or smoked salmon on a long platter garnished with fresh dill, lemon wedges, and a small bowl of mustard sauce. On a separate board or platter, arrange the cold cuts in overlapping folds and slices, interspersed with small pickles and mustard.
Step 3: Set Out Cheese and Bread
Arrange the hard cheese on a wooden board with a cheese knife. Place the knackebrod in a bread basket or fanned out on a board alongside softer rye bread and butter. Provide small dishes of Swedish accompaniments including lingonberry jam, pickled cucumber, and pickled beetroot.
Step 4: Set the Table and Serve
The traditional smorgasbord is served in a specific order. Guests begin with herring and crispbread, followed by the fish dishes, and then move to the cold meat dishes. Place small plates and napkins at the table and allow guests to help themselves freely, returning for each course. Serve with aquavit and cold lager in the Swedish tradition.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- vasterbottensost cheese → aged Gruyere or mature cheddar as a widely available substitute with similar intensity
- knackebrod → any good quality dense rye crispbread as a functional and tasty alternative
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Presenting everything at once rather than in the traditional order which diminishes the ceremonial experience
- Not providing enough variety of herring which is the centerpiece of any authentic smorgasbord
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 480 calories, 26g protein, 28g carbs, 30g fat, 2g fiber.
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