Christmas in Finland is closely tied to its culinary traditions. The Finnish Christmas meal, or joulupöytä, is central to the holiday and brings families together. Unlike the heavily commercialized celebrations found elsewhere, Finnish Christmas foods focus on familiar flavours, seasonal ingredients and comforting dishes that are rarely eaten at other times of the year.
Understanding these dishes provides insight into Finnish culture, seasonal rhythms and the values of simplicity, tradition and family.
Joulukinkku – The Christmas Ham
The centerpiece of most Finnish Christmas tables is joulukinkku, or the Christmas ham. Typically, the ham is cured, sometimes smoked, and baked in the oven for several hours. Before baking, it is often scored in a crisscross pattern and coated with a mustard and breadcrumb mixture.
The taste is mild, savoury, and slightly sweet, with a distinct smoky depth if the ham has been smoked. Unlike hams in some other countries, Finnish joulukinkku is rarely heavily glazed with sugar or honey. It is served thinly sliced alongside casseroles, bread, and mustard.
Lanttulaatikko – Swede (Rutabaga) Casserole
Lanttulaatikko is a baked dish made from mashed swede, combined with breadcrumbs, syrup, butter, and seasoning. It has a smooth, dense texture and a subtly sweet and earthy flavour.
Its mild sweetness balances the savoury Christmas ham and complements other casseroles on the table. Lanttulaatikko is one of the few Finnish Christmas dishes that is almost impossible to replicate with substitute ingredients. Its flavour is uniquely Nordic, familiar and comforting to Finnish families.
Porkkanalaatikko – Carrot Casserole
Porkkanalaatikko, or carrot casserole, is another traditional vegetable dish. Mashed carrots are mixed with rice or barley, eggs, cream, butter, and a hint of sugar and nutmeg.
The result is a soft, slightly sweet casserole with a creamy texture. It is distinct from everyday carrot dishes due to its smoothness and subtle spices. Porkkanalaatikko adds colour and mild sweetness to the otherwise earthy and savoury Christmas table.
Perunalaatikko – Potato Casserole
Perunalaatikko is made from mashed potatoes combined with cream, butter, and sometimes nutmeg or white pepper. Unlike swede or carrot casseroles, it has a neutral, buttery flavour and a soft, dense texture.
This dish serves as a stabilising element on the plate. Its simplicity balances the richer flavours of ham and casseroles and makes the meal feel complete. Finnish households often argue over slight variations in texture: some prefer it very smooth, others slightly chunky.
Rosolli – Beetroot Salad
Rosolli is a colourful salad made from diced beetroot, carrots, potatoes, pickles, and sometimes apples. It is typically served with a creamy dressing made from whipped cream, vinegar, and horseradish.
The taste is a combination of sweet, earthy, and tangy flavours, with a smooth creaminess that contrasts with the diced vegetables. Rosolli is often eaten at the start of the meal as an appetizer, providing freshness and a break from heavier dishes.
Rice Porridge (Riisipuuro) and the Hidden Almond
Rice porridge, or riisipuuro, is traditionally served on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. Made from short-grain rice cooked slowly in milk, it is creamy, comforting, and slightly sweet.
A single almond is hidden in the porridge. The person who finds it receives good luck or a small prize. The tradition adds an element of playfulness to an otherwise simple dish and is enjoyed by children and adults alike.
Glögi – Finnish Mulled Drink
Glögi is a warm, spiced drink consumed throughout the holiday season. Typically made from red wine or grape juice, it is infused with cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and orange peel.
Glögi is served hot and often accompanied by raisins and almonds. Its flavour is warming, slightly sweet, and aromatic, making it ideal for the long, dark evenings of a Finnish winter. Alcoholic or non-alcoholic versions are available, and it is often enjoyed while baking or socialising at home.
Piparkakut – Finnish Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread cookies, or piparkakut, are a staple of Finnish Christmas baking. These thin, crisp cookies are spiced with ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, and sometimes decorated with icing or cut into festive shapes like stars and hearts.
The flavour is spicy but not overwhelming, with a crisp texture that contrasts with soft pastries or casseroles on the Christmas table. They are often served with glögi or enjoyed as snacks during the holiday season.
Joulutortut – Star-shaped Pastries
Joulutortut are puff pastries filled with prune jam, folded into star shapes. They are sweet but not heavy, with a delicate, flaky texture.
These pastries are commonly made at home, though they are also sold in bakeries. They are often eaten with coffee or glögi in the afternoon and are a visual symbol of Finnish Christmas.
Fish and Other Extras
Many Finnish families include cold fish dishes on the Christmas table, such as gravlax (cured salmon), pickled herring, or whitefish roe. These add a savoury, slightly salty element to the meal, contrasting with the sweeter casseroles and desserts.
Other accompaniments may include breads, cheeses, and simple salads. Unlike other countries, Finnish Christmas meals rarely include heavily fried foods or exotic ingredients. The focus remains on local, seasonal, and familiar flavours.
The Overall Taste Experience
Finnish Christmas foods are characterised by balance, subtlety, and comfort. The combination of sweet casseroles, savoury ham, tangy salad, and warm drinks creates a layered yet harmonious experience.
The meals are intended to be filling, but not overwhelming. Flavours are complementary rather than extreme, and presentation is practical rather than decorative.
For someone experiencing Finnish Christmas for the first time, the food may feel simple compared with commercialised holiday meals elsewhere. However, the depth comes from tradition, familiarity, and the way these flavours evoke memory and family connection.
Why Finnish Christmas Foods Matter
Food is more than sustenance during Finnish Christmas; it is a vehicle for tradition, family connection, and cultural identity. Each dish carries history and meaning, from the baked ham to the hidden almond in rice porridge.
Even small elements, such as a sip of glögi or a piece of piparkakut, reinforce seasonal rhythm, shared experience, and continuity. In Finland, the act of preparing and sharing these dishes is as important as eating them.
Experiencing Finnish Christmas Foods Today
While urbanisation and modern lifestyles have introduced new foods and shortcuts, many households still follow traditional recipes closely. Supermarkets sell ready-made versions of many classic dishes, but homemade casseroles, pastries, and rice porridge remain highly valued.
Visiting Finland at Christmas offers a chance to experience these foods in context. Whether in a family home, a restaurant, or a small town market, the flavours are consistent and deeply tied to Finnish seasonal culture.