Iceland is a land of wild beauty and rich culinary traditions that reflect its rugged landscapes and deep-rooted Viking history.
If you’ve ever dreamed of tasting something straight from the land of glaciers and hot springs, Icelandic cuisine is your golden ticket.
From fresh seafood to traditional lamb dishes, this cuisine is all about keeping it simple yet flavorful with fresh, local ingredients.
Ready to take your taste buds on a Nordic adventure? These 11 Icelandic recipes will help you explore a whole new world of flavors without ever leaving your kitchen.
1. Plokkfiskur – Icelandic Fish Stew
Ingredients:
- 1 lb cod or haddock fillet
- 2 medium potatoes, boiled and diced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
How to Make It:
Start by boiling your potatoes until tender, then set them aside.
Meanwhile, poach the fish in a pot of simmering water for about 10 minutes or until it flakes easily with a fork.
Once the fish is cooked, drain it and break it into bite-sized pieces.
In a pan, melt the butter and sauté the onions until they’re soft and fragrant.
Stir in the flour to create a roux, then gradually add the milk, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens.
Toss in the fish and potatoes, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
Cook for another 5 minutes, letting all the flavors blend beautifully. Top with fresh parsley before serving.
Why did this make it to our list? This creamy fish stew is pure comfort food with a Nordic twist.
It’s hearty, satisfying, and packed with fresh flavors that instantly transport you to Iceland.
2. Kjötsúpa – Icelandic Lamb Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 lb lamb shoulder, cubed
- 6 cups water
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 potatoes, cubed
- 1 turnip, cubed
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 cup cabbage, shredded
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh thyme for garnish
How to Make It:
In a large pot, bring the lamb and water to a boil, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface.
Add salt, pepper, and thyme, then lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
Add the carrots, potatoes, turnip, onion, and cabbage to the pot.
Let everything simmer for another hour until the meat is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
Adjust the seasoning, and serve it hot with a sprinkle of fresh thyme on top.
Why did we choose it? This traditional lamb soup is Iceland’s answer to chicken noodle soup—a warm, nourishing dish that’s perfect for cold days.
It’s simple yet packed with bold flavors that speak to Icelandic tradition.
3. Skyr – Icelandic Yogurt
Ingredients:
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 cup plain yogurt with live cultures (as a starter)
- 1 tablespoon rennet (available at specialty stores)
- Fresh berries and honey for topping
How to Make It:
Heat the milk to 190°F, then let it cool to 110°F. Stir in the yogurt and rennet.
Pour the mixture into a container, cover it with a towel, and let it sit in a warm place for 12 hours.
Once it sets, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth to remove the whey, leaving behind a thick, creamy yogurt.
Serve it chilled with fresh berries and a drizzle of honey.
Why did we select it? Skyr is like Greek yogurt’s cooler cousin—super thick, creamy, and loaded with protein.
Plus, it’s been part of Icelandic life for over a thousand years!
4. Hjónabandssæla – Icelandic Oatmeal Cake
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup rhubarb or berry jam
How to Make It:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, combine the oats, flour, sugar, and baking soda.
Pour in the melted butter and mix until it forms a crumbly dough.
Press two-thirds of the dough into a greased 9×13-inch pan, then spread the jam evenly over the top.
Crumble the remaining dough on top of the jam. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown. Let it cool before slicing.
Why did this make it to our list? Known as “wedded bliss,” this cake lives up to its name with its perfect balance of tart jam and buttery oatmeal crust.
5. Rúgbrauð – Icelandic Rye Bread
Ingredients:
- 2 cups rye flour
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups buttermilk
- ¾ cup dark molasses
How to Make It:
Preheat your oven to 300°F. Grease a loaf pan thoroughly. In a large mixing bowl, combine the rye flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, and salt.
Add the buttermilk and molasses, stirring until you have a thick batter.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan, cover it tightly with aluminum foil, and place it in a water bath (a larger pan with an inch of water in it).
Bake for 4-5 hours, checking the water level occasionally to ensure it doesn’t dry out. Once done, cool the bread before slicing.
Why we chose it: This dense, slightly sweet rye bread is traditionally baked underground using geothermal heat—how cool is that? It’s perfect with butter, smoked fish, or a generous slather of jam.
6. Icelandic Fish Balls (Fiskibollur)
Ingredients:
- 1 lb cod or haddock fillet
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
How to Make It:
Start by finely chopping the fish or pulsing it in a food processor until it forms a paste.
In a mixing bowl, combine the fish, onion, egg, breadcrumbs, milk, salt, and pepper. Mix until everything is well incorporated.
Form the mixture into small balls. Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat and fry the fish balls until golden brown on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
Serve with boiled potatoes and a side of tartar sauce or lemon wedges.
Why did we select it? These crispy, tender fish balls are a family favorite in Iceland. They’re quick to make, packed with protein, and seriously addictive.
7. Hangikjöt – Smoked Lamb
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs smoked lamb (pre-smoked from a butcher or specialty store)
- 2 lbs potatoes
- 1 lb carrots
- 1 cup white sauce (béchamel)
How to Make It:
Boil the smoked lamb in water for about 1 ½ hours, then remove it and let it rest for a few minutes. Meanwhile, boil the potatoes and carrots until tender.
Slice the lamb and serve it with the boiled vegetables and a generous spoonful of white sauce on the side.
Some also like to pair it with pickled red cabbage for an extra punch of flavor.
Why did this make it to our list? Hangikjöt is an essential Icelandic holiday dish, but it’s so delicious you’ll want to eat it year-round. The smoky flavor and tender meat are simply unforgettable.
8. Kleinur – Icelandic Twisted Donuts
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups flour
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup buttermilk
- Oil for frying
How to Make It:
In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and cardamom.
Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Beat the eggs and buttermilk together, then stir them into the dry ingredients to form a dough.
Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut it into strips. Twist each strip into a knot.
Heat the oil in a deep pan and fry the donuts until golden brown. Drain them on paper towels and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Why did we choose it? These slightly sweet, spiced donuts are Iceland’s answer to American doughnuts. They’re perfect for snacking or dunking in coffee.
9. Laufabrauð – Icelandic Leaf Bread
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup milk
- Oil for frying
How to Make It:
In a bowl, mix the flour and salt, then slowly add the milk until it forms a soft dough.
Roll it out as thin as possible and cut it into round shapes (about 8 inches in diameter).
Use a knife to cut intricate patterns into the dough—this is where you can get creative!
Heat the oil in a pan and fry each piece of dough until golden and crispy. Let them drain on a paper towel before serving.
Why did we select it? Laufabrauð is a traditional holiday bread, but its crispy, paper-thin texture makes it a must-try any time of year. Plus, the decorative patterns make it almost too pretty to eat.
10. Pönnukökur – Icelandic Pancakes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 cups milk
- 2 eggs
- Butter for frying
How to Make It:
Whisk together the flour, sugar, and baking powder. Add the milk and eggs, stirring until you have a smooth batter.
Heat a bit of butter in a frying pan and pour in just enough batter to cover the bottom in a thin layer.
Cook for about 1 minute on each side until golden brown. Serve with jam, whipped cream, or fresh berries.
Why did this make it to our list? These thin, crepe-like pancakes are a breakfast favorite in Iceland. Light, fluffy, and endlessly versatile, they’ll win over even the pickiest eaters.
11. Icelandic Cod with Butter Sauce (Þorskur með Smjörsósu)
Ingredients:
- 1 lb cod fillet
- ½ cup butter
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
How to Make It:
Season the cod with salt and pepper. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat and cook the fish for about 3-4 minutes per side until it’s flaky and golden.
Drizzle with lemon juice and garnish with fresh parsley.
Why we chose it: Icelandic cod is known for its incredible quality, and this simple preparation lets the fish shine. It’s buttery, tender, and melts in your mouth.
Conclusion
Icelandic cuisine is a true adventure for the senses—filled with comforting stews, fresh seafood, and sweet treats you won’t find anywhere else.
Whether you’re in the mood for something hearty like lamb soup or craving something sweet like kleinur, these recipes will bring a taste of Iceland right to your table.