Are you interested in trying some of the traditional dishes eaten by the Vikings? Those hearty explorers who journeyed across the ocean and helped shape our world had a unique approach to food that is still enjoyed today. With this article, we explore what Viking cuisine was like, as well as provide some recipes that you can make at home.
Overview of Viking Culture & Influence on Cuisine
The Viking Age is often associated with violence and conquest, yet Viking culture also included a fascinating approach to cuisine. Much of it was based on what could be grown in Northern climates, such as grains, root vegetables, fruits and nuts. Beef, pork and poultry were regularly consumed meat sources.
Vikings were also well known for their use of fermentation and pickling methods for preserving fruits and vegetables for extended periods of time. This allowed them to maintain access to ingredients throughout long voyages or during harsh winters. In addition, fish and seafood were common fare—even condiments such as vinegar or butter sauce were made from fish stock!
A Brief History of Viking Foods
The Viking Age (793-1066 CE) was a time of exploration and expansion for the Scandinavian people, who ventured far to the east and west, bringing back new and exotic ingredients they had never tasted before. Vikings ate a diet based around the foods that were available to them, which included meats like beef, pork, and lamb; fish like herring and cod; grains such as rye and barley; vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, and leeks; fruits such as apples and berries; dairy products like butter and cheese, as well as honey cakes for dessert. Over time, the Vikings adapted their cuisine to include more spices from newly discovered lands. As they spread across Europe into warmer climates, they began using ingredients like garlic, onions, peppers and herbs in their dishes.
Healthy Recipes from the Viking Age
Here are some tasty recipes that you can try at home which were popular among Vikings:
Stewed Fruit with Meat and Barley: This hearty dish combines stewed fruits (such as apples) with beef or lamb along with barley for a delicious meal.
Stewed Fruit with Meat and Barley
This hearty dish combines stewed fruits, such as apples, with beef or lamb along with barley for a delicious meal. It is a classic Viking-era recipe that has been enjoyed for centuries!
- 2 lbs beef or lamb ((cubed))
- 4 cups stewed apples ((or other fruit of your choice))
- 1 cup barley
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Heat the olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the cubed beef/lamb and cook until lightly browned.
- Add the stewed apples/fruit and barley to the pot along with enough water to just cover all ingredients in the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 90 minutes.
- After 90 minutes, season with salt & pepper to taste and serve hot. Enjoy!
Venison in Onion Sauce with Carrots and Mushrooms: The combination of venison cooked in an onion sauce containing carrots, mushrooms makes for a great tasting dish that’ll fill you up without feeling too heavy afterwards.
Venison in Onion Sauce with Carrots and Mushrooms
This Viking-style dish combines venison cooked in an onion sauce with carrots and mushrooms for a hearty, filling meal. It is full of flavor, yet light enough so it won’t weigh you down afterwards.
- 2 lbs venison ((cubed))
- 4 cups chopped onions
- 4 cups sliced carrots
- 1 cups sliced mushrooms
- 1 cups butter or lard
- 2 tbsp honey
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Heat the butter or lard in a large pot over medium heat. Add the cubed venison and cook until lightly browned.
- Add the chopped onions and sauté for 5 minutes, then add the carrots and mushrooms to the pot and cook for an additional 8 minutes.
- Add enough water to just cover all ingredients in the pot and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 40 minutes.
After 40 minutes, stir in honey, season with salt & pepper to taste, then serve hot. Enjoy!
Walnut Porridge with Honey: Soft porridge made using ground walnuts sweetened with honey has been a favorite since the Viking era, perfect for cold winter days!
Walnut Porridge with Honey
This traditional Viking-style porridge is made using ground walnuts sweetened with honey for a creamy and nutty flavor. It’s perfect for cold winter days, or as a comforting snack any time of the year.
- 2 cups walnuts ((ground))
- 5 cups water
- 1/4 cups honey
- Salt to taste
- In a medium pot, combine the ground walnuts with 4 cups of water and bring to a boil. Let simmer until thickened and soft, about 45 minutes.
- Stir in the remaining 1 cup of water along with the honey and season with salt to taste, then let simmer for 15 more minutes.
Serve hot! Enjoy!
Oat Pancakes with Blueberry Jam: Enjoy these pancakes while they are hot, topped off with homemade blueberry jam – a sweet treat that will put smiles on everyone’s faces!
Oat Pancakes with Blueberry Jam
These soft, fluffy oat pancakes are a classic Viking dish! Top them off with a dollop of homemade blueberry jam for a sweet and flavorful breakfast or snack.
- 2 cups oats ((ground))
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tbsp butter ((melted))
For the jam:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- In a bowl, combine the ground oats, baking powder, eggs, milk and melted butter and mix until combined. Let the batter rest for 15 minutes.
- Heat a pan over medium heat and brush with oil or butter. Use a ladle to spoon out the batter into the pan and cook until lightly golden brown on each side. Set aside on a plate when done.
- To make the jam: Place the blueberries, sugar and lemon juice in a saucepan over medium heat and stir constantly as it cooks until thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat when done and set aside to cool slightly.
Serve pancakes warm topped with some of the blueberry jam! Enjoy!
Herb Soup with Bean and Leeks: Fragrant herbs combine perfectly with beans and leeks to create this warming soup – perfect for those long dark days around wintertime.
Herb Soup with Beans and Leeks
This hearty herb soup is a classic Viking dish that has been enjoyed for centuries. It’s packed full of flavor from the combination of beans, leeks and flavorful herbs.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic ((minced))
- 1 onion ((diced))
- 2 carrots ((diced))
- 3 leeks ((sliced))
- 1 cup white beans ((cooked/canned))
- 5 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 bayleaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the garlic, onion, carrots, and leeks and sauté until translucent, about 10 minutes.
- Add the white beans, vegetable broth and herbs and season with salt & pepper to taste. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes or until vegetables are soft.
Remove bay leaf and serve hot! Enjoy!
Cabbage and Barley Stew with Dried Fruit: A delicious combination of cabbage, barley, dried fruit and spices makes this stew flavourful yet light enough so it won’t weigh you down after meals.
Cabbage and Barley Stew with Dried Fruit
This unique, savory stew is the perfect comfort food for cold nights. Sweetened with dried fruit, it has been a staple in Viking culture for centuries!
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion ((diced))
- 3 cloves garlic ((minced))
- 2 carrots ((diced))
- 1/2 head of cabbage ((chopped))
- 1/2 cups pearl barley
- 5 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 cup dried fruit (raisins, cherries, apricots etc.)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, carrots and cabbage and sauté until tender, about 10 minutes.
- Add the barley, vegetable broth and herbs and season with salt & pepper to taste. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes or until vegetables are soft. Add the dried fruit during the last 5 minutes of cooking time.
Serve hot! Enjoy!
Traditional Dishes You Can Make Today
There are also many traditional dishes that you can easily make today from ingredients found in any supermarket or grocery store such as herring marinated in sour cream or cabbage rolls stuffed with minced pork – both classic recipes connected to the age of exploration. If you’re feeling more adventurous there are plenty more interesting recipes online featuring wild game meats like wild boar or reindeer which have become more available following the revival of interest in traditional Nordic cuisine over recent years. Whether cooking up something new inspired by old traditions or sticking to something familiar there’s sure to be something tasty to try out!
FAQs About Viking Foods
What type of foods were traditionally eaten by Vikings?
Vikings ate a variety of meats, fish, fruits, veggies, and grains. They also enjoyed some sweet treats like honey cakes and fruit preserves.
How did Vikings cook their food?
Vikings typically cooked their meals in large communal cauldrons over an open fire using simple cooking techniques.
What is the most popular Viking dish?
The most popular Viking dishes are hearty stews made from root vegetables, barley and various herbs.
Conclusion
The influence of Scandinavian culture can still be experienced in modern times through food – why not explore it further by trying out some authentic Viking recipes? There’s no need to worry about sourcing rare ingredients; most traditional dishes can be easily prepared using modern ingredients found at any store near you!
