The Swedish smörgåsbord and julbord dishes

Dear Daughter,

Here is everything you need for the Swedish Christmas celebration and the smörgåsbord, or Julbord, as we call it. The Swedish Julbord (Christmas table) is a spread of many delicious meals that we enjoy on Christmas Eve and every day thereafter for as long as we have leftovers. Not sure if you know this Elsa, but julbord are also served in restaurants all over Sweden throughout the month of December. Growing up, I remember going to julbord with grandma and grandpa. As a little girl I would be dressed up in red velvet dresses, pretty ballerina flats and my hair in braids. It is incredible cheerful and comforting feeling to walk up to the restaurants with snow on the ground, stars shining bright in dark sky and large candles leading the way to the entrance. It’s also usually a very special ambiance inside the restaurants with candles and Christmas decorations.

Did you know that there is a special process by which you should enjoy the julbord, which is served buffe style? I know we don’t follow this process at home, but I might as well take the opportunity to tell you about it in case you every go to Sweden for Christmas.

Seven trips to the table

  • Trip #1 - Picked herring in multiple interactions (in a vinaigrette, mustard sauce, curry etc), which you eat with boiled potatoes, chopped red onion and sour cream.

  • Trip #2 - More fish. Salmon cooked in a different ways - smoked, cured etc), shrimp, seafood such as prawns and crayfish, boiled eggs with different toppings. At home we serve egg halves with mayo, shrimp and dill on top.

  • Trip #3 - The cold plate: cold cuts; ham, roast beef, different kinds of sausages and pates.

  • Trip #4 - The warm plate: meatballs, ribs, Jansson’s temptation, omelet with creamed mushrooms and other warm dishes.

  • Trip #5 - Desserts: cakes and cookies.

  • Trip #6 - Christmas candy, which is always the favorite. Homemade chocolate balls, fudge, truffles etc, etc.

Grandpa took this process very seriously and would always remind me about them. It was a cardinal sin if you mixed the herring with the cold cuts since it would interfere with the flavors and gastronomy.

I know that your love Christmas as much as I do, Elsa, and how important it is to you that we follow our own tradition for Christmas, so I’ve documented it all here for you. Don’t forget to watch Kalle Anka at 3pm, and Karl Bertil at 7pm!

Dishes to serve on the smörgåsbord

  • Janssons Temptation

  • Ham

  • Ribs

  • Meatballs

  • Mini sausages

  • Liverwurst

  • Pickled herring

  • Smoked salmon

  • Beet salad

  • Omelet with creamed mushrooms

  • Boiled potatoes

  • Boiled eggs with shrimp

  • Candy

Shopping List

  • Potatoes

  • Ham

  • Mini sausages

  • Ribs

  • Liverwurst

  • Smoked Salmon

  • I can of anchovies

  • Yellow and red onion

  • Heavy cream - large container

  • Milk - 2 cups

  • Breadcrumbs

  • Butter

  • 500 grams Ground beef

  • Eggs

  • 2 bouillon cubes

  • 3 cans of pickled beets

  • Sour cream

  • Mayo (Swedish if possible)

  • 3 cans of sliced mushrooms (with salt)

  • Shrimp (Swedish if possible)

  • If you are making holiday candy

    • Butter

    • Traditional oats

    • Coconut flakes or pearl sugar for the coating

    • Vanilla sugar or powder