Lohikeitto (Finnish Salmon Soup) Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Boil

by: anka

December22,2021

4.5

25 Ratings

  • Prep time 10 minutes
  • Cook time 20 minutes
  • Serves 4

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Author Notes

This is a traditional Finnish salmon soup recipe; it's easy to make and tastes heavenly. Many recipes for it can be found online, and this is just one of them.
anka

Test Kitchen Notes

This version of lohikeitto, a creamy fish chowder, comes together quickly and is popular throughout many Nordic countries. You'll really enjoy this recipe, which features leeks, potatoes, and carrots. Many iterations can be found, but this one sticks to the basics. All you need is one large saucepan, which definitely helps with the cleanup. Making your own fish stock at home is highly recommended, but you can use any store-bought kind if that seems like way too much effort. As the developer mentions, fish stock cubes work as well. As many stocks and broths vary in terms of seasoning, be sure to taste as you go and adjust the salt and pepper amounts as needed. Pair this soup with a crusty bread and some white wine, and dinner is ready to go.

This soup is also as straightforward as it gets. First, cook the leeks until wilted, then add the potatoes, carrots, and stock. Let them boil away for about 10 minutes. Add the salmon and cream, then let that simmer away for about 5 minutes. Doesn't get much easier, and after some chopping, a majority of the cook time is totally hands off. We liked the ratio of veggies to fish as written here, but you can definitely change up the amounts depending on what you have on hand. Any additions will make this a less authentic version of lohikeitto, but that's okay too. Whatever you decide to add or subtract from this recipe, it's the perfect soup to make on a cold winter's night. —The Editors

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • 1/4 cupbutter
  • 1 leek, trimmed and sliced (about 2 cups)
  • 4 cupsfish stock or fish stock cubes
  • 1 poundpotatoes, cubed (2 to 3 cups)
  • 1 carrot, sliced (about 1½ cups)
  • 1 poundsalmon, cut into large pieces
  • 1 cup35% cream
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
  • Chopped dill, for serving
Directions
  1. In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the leeks and cook, stirring, for 5 to 6 minutes, until wilted.
  2. Add the stock, potatoes, and carrots. Bring to a boil and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, until softened and fork-tender, depending on the size of the vegetables.
  3. Add the salmon and cream and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, until the salmon is cooked through; season with salt and pepper.
  4. Divide the soup among bowls. Top with the dill.

Tags:

  • Soup
  • Finnish
  • Leek
  • Salmon
  • Potato
  • Vegetable
  • Seafood
  • Dill
  • Milk/Cream
  • Carrot
  • One-Pot Wonders
  • Boil

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Paula Wilson

  • MartinDeBourge

  • Hmoshman

  • Kristin Hertko

  • Cynthia Bessonen

Popular on Food52

28 Reviews

EzzieB January 9, 2024

This soup is delicious ++++. So glad I found this recipe. I’ve shared it with friends and they all agree it’s easy and so tasty.
I don’t put in the cream to make it healthier and use the entire leek as it’s so full of vitamins. Also, if I don’t have fish stock I use low salt chicken stock which sounds odd but still tastes really good.

[emailprotected] August 19, 2023

I found the dish highly under seasoned. It was easy to make, but lacked flavor. It is also very rich, could have used less butter and cream. I was disappointed.

Paula W. April 9, 2023

This was quick and easy. It is also delicious! I didn't have fish stock, so used vegetable broth and it worked well. Next time I will try it as written. The fresh dill is essential!

MartinDeBourge March 4, 2023

Thank you SO much for this great step by step recipe. I have now prepared it twice. The second time I tripled all the ingredients for a larger gathering of Finns. And let me tell you, not being Finnish had me a bit nervous to brave the preparation of such a hallowed meal. It was a wild success and I am now an honorary member of LAFF. I'll make it again for the even larger gathering at the Pasadena Tupa!

Hmoshman March 2, 2023

This recipe is simple and quick. I added dried dill in the end. I found that 1 lb. Potato was too much. I prefer half this (1 potato). I don’t know what is 35% cream. I added 1/2 cup whipping cream and that was good. I did not use the full amount of butter. Though I didn’t use the full amount of butter and cream (I already get plenty of fat in my diet and didn’t feel the need for more), I didn’t feel like I was missing out.

MartinDeBourge March 4, 2023

35% cream is indeed Heavy Whipping Cream ;-)

Kristin H. December 26, 2020

This tastes delish and is so easy to make. I think in the future I'd pull back on the potatoes a bit to leave room for a couple pieces of toasty bread on the side. And don't skimp on the butter--it's worth it.

Cynthia B. October 14, 2020

This was so good! We’ll be adding this to our rotation.

Cynthia B. October 14, 2020

Trying to delete my review because I didn’t add my stars. Can someone please help?

I first ate this dish sitting on the deck of an old wooden boat in Helsinki harbour along with a slice of rye bread and a glass of red wine - this dish takes me back to that happy day whenever I make it - thank you! I ate it several more times during our time in Helsinki and the butter seemed always to be an intrinsic part of the dish.

Shannyb433 December 31, 2020

I know the exact spot! I have recreated this soup as well - and the comments from my boyfriend were the same!

01cranshawt January 26, 2020

INCREDIBLE! Such a simple dish but so flavoursome, thanks so much!

Emily T. January 17, 2020

This recipe has waaaay too much butter (you can even see it in the photo, all that yellow oil) and offers no suggestions for seasoning the creamy broth.

Chris N. January 17, 2020

I think the amount of butter is perfect, but, try cutting that amount in half...will still probably be great! I did not think that the broth needed any seasoning beyond what is in the recipe...the simpler, the better for me! 😊 I used ‘seafood stock’..maybe that had enough seasoning on its own...

Mr. K. March 21, 2020

Beautiful soup and reminiscent of my childhood and my grandmother’s cooking. The butter is in a typical proportion, as is the seasoning—or general lack thereof. That’s very traditionally Finnish, however you’re free to adjust to your taste. But for those who may have had this prepared by their older generation Finnish family, this is spot on.

Outi August 4, 2020

Tfhis is the traditional Finnish salmon soup from way back when fancy spices hadn't yet made their way to Finland. I have not made this yet but the recipe looks very authentic, just like my dad used to make it. If you want to make something different, be my guest; I just ask for one favor: don't call it Finnish.

Kalki86 December 17, 2019

Got to love that soup! Really easy to prepare. I added a little liquid smoke and wild pepper to give it a twist. And don't forget enough salt. If you let it sit, the potatoes will absorb a bit of the saltiness.

Tessy August 1, 2019

What would be a good wine for pairing with this soup? I'm making sourdough rye to go with it too.

anka August 1, 2019

I would say your fevered dry white wine, for me, I don’t know if is a perfect pairing, but I like Pinot Grigio.

Babaganoush February 20, 2022

Thumbs up for the rye bread. Even better if you can make it a traditional coastal "black bread": a dark, malty, slightly sweet and sticky, not that sour. That's your best friend for gravlax, too. Just some butter and gravlax, topped with fresh dill and a little peruvian pepper if you want to go totally bonkers :)

Tina K. March 28, 2019

A little too much butter. The fat ends up as a thick layer that floats in top and doesn’t look appetizing. But amazing flavor and simple recipe! :)

Chris N. August 1, 2018

This was so easy and good! Under 30 minutes to make from start to finish...I saved time by having the ‘fish peddler’ cut off the salmon skin...used seafood stock..might add rutabaga and/or turnip next time too...

anka August 1, 2018

Thank you, Chris! I'm so glad you liked it.

Babaganoush February 20, 2022

I wouldn't recommend rutabaga for its strong and tangy taste. Try replacing some of the potatoes with parsnip, instead. It adds another dimension to the taste but is mellow enough not to overpower anything. That's a very traditional variation of this soup. In Nordic kitchens, rutabaga finds its place more in meat dishes with rich stocks.

Rosey December 22, 2017

Thank you for sharing! I'll be making this on Christmas Eve :)

anka December 23, 2017

Thank you , I am so pleased to hear this! Have a Marry Christmas!

Niknud October 25, 2017

This looks delicious!

anka October 25, 2017

Thank you!
Taste delicious and it is so easy to make.

Lohikeitto (Finnish Salmon Soup) Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

Is salmon soup finnish? ›

Salmon chowder (Finnish: lohikeitto, Swedish: laxsoppa) is a common dish in Finland and other Nordic countries. It consists of salmon fillets, boiled potatoes, carrots and leeks. The dish is served hot, and typically seasoned with fresh dill, allspice, salt and black pepper.

What is salmon soup made of? ›

If I could fly ✈️ to Finland for a bowl of this soup, I would! Finnish Salmon Soup also known as “Lohikeitto,” has roots in traditional fishing communities in Finland. It combines salmon, potatoes, onions, carrots, and dill, cooked with heavy cream or milk for the perfect texture.

What is kalamojakka? ›

We will start with Kalamojakka a Finnish Fish stew that was made by fisherman with their fresh catch. The Fins used to pride themselves on making it with only what they caught. In slimmer times when the fishing wasn't as good they would add potatoes or parsnips to fill out the stew.

What country eats the most salmon in the world? ›

The United States, the European Union, and Japan are the largest consumers of salmon. The United States consumed approximately 420,000 metric tons, while the EU consumed roughly 1.2 million metric tons. Japan accounted for about 300,000 metric tons of consumption.

What is the white stuff that comes out of salmon called? ›

That white slimy stuff is called albumin, and it's actually just a harmless (albeit pretty gross-looking) protein that solidifies as salmon cooks.

What is the white stuff coming out of cooked salmon? ›

The white stuff on salmon is called albumin.

As the meat cooks, the coagulated albumin gets squeezed out and appears in the form of the weird, slimy, white substance that you are probably familiar with (and weirded out by).

What is the white stuff oozing out of salmon when cooking? ›

The white stuff that oozes out of salmon is called albumin, a type of protein in the fish (other foods with albumin include eggs, beef and milk). You can't see albumin when the fish is raw—it only appears when the salmon is exposed to heat. As salmon cooks, the albumin turns from its liquid state into a semi-solid one.

What do you eat on St. Urho's Day? ›

Urho' "Lihamojakka, Finnish Stew with Beef, is a favorite meal at Finnish-American St. Urho Day celebrations.

What is the English of Mojakka? ›

Mojakka (pronounced MOY-a-kah) is a soup served in Finnish-American households in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Western Ontario. The principal ingredients are beef or fish and potatoes. Made with fish it is called kalamojakka (KAH-la-moy-a-kah), with beef it is lihamojakka (LEE-ha-moy-a-kah).

Where is salmon soup from? ›

This Finnish Salmon Soup, known as Lohikeitto in the homeland, is to die for. Creamy and hearty, it is guaranteed to warm your soul on cold fall and winter days. Plus, it's really easy and quick to make - ready in a half an hour!

Is Finland famous for salmon? ›

The wide rivers of Finnish Lapland, Finland's northernmost region, are famous for their salmon fishing. Cloudberries grow across the north, but only in swamps and bogs, making them a hard-won prize.

What is a traditional Finnish fish dish? ›

The typical dish of Savo in Eastern Finland, kalakukko (Finnish fish pie) is made of local small fishes (usually vendace or perch) baked for hours inside a dark rye bread.

What is the fish dish in Finland? ›

Fried vendace (Coregonus albula) is a summertime delicacy in Finland. The fish are fried, served, and eaten whole, usually accompanied with garlic sauce. Loimulohi (blazed salmon) Fried Baltic herring is a popular Finnish dish. It is usually accompanied with boiled or mashed potatoes.

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