What Do Finnish People Eat? Discover Traditional Dishes

Food in Finland is all about warmth, nature, and tradition. With long winters and strong ties to the forest and lakes, Finnish families have created meals that are hearty, healthy, and often very simple. From savory meat dishes to sweet berry desserts, Finland’s cuisine offers something for every taste—and kids can enjoy learning and cooking some of these dishes too!

What Do Finnish People Eat?

The Finnish diet is based on what grows well in a cold climate. That means potatoes, turnips, cabbage, carrots, and cold-water fish like salmon, perch, and trout are all staples in the Finnish kitchen. One of the most popular and traditional meats in Finland is reindeer, which can be smoked, sautéed, or even served cold. It’s especially popular during the winter months.

Finnish meatballs are another favorite. They’re made from beef or reindeer, with breadcrumbs and onions, and served with mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam.

Traditional Dishes You Can Try at Home

Finnish meals are usually easy to prepare and don’t use many ingredients. Here are two classic Finnish recipes that children and families can make together:

Pannu Kakku (Finnish Oven Pancake)
This sweet baked pancake is fluffy and easy to make. It’s perfect for breakfast or dessert and is best served with jam or syrup.

Karelian Hot Pot (Karjalanpaisti)
This is a slow-cooked stew made with beef, pork, and lamb. It’s rich, comforting, and full of flavor. Kids can help by adding the ingredients layer by layer into a crockpot.

Both recipes are great for learning to cook simple, healthy meals while exploring Finnish culture at home.

Sweet Treats from Finland

Finnish desserts are often made with berries, butter, rye, or farina. Here are a few traditional favorites:

• Mämmi: A soft, sweet rye pudding usually eaten during Easter.

• Finnish Butter Cookies: Made with almond and butter, they are light and delicious.

• Strawberry Snow: A whipped dessert made from strawberries, egg whites, and cream. It’s fluffy, fun, and looks just like snow!

• Cranberry Whip (Vatkattu Marjapuuro): A tangy pink pudding made with cranberries and farina, whipped until it’s light and airy.

These desserts are perfect for kids to enjoy after a warm meal or during Finnish holiday celebrations.

Learning More About Finnish Culture Through Food

Cooking traditional meals is a wonderful way for children to connect with another culture. As they stir pancake batter or help decorate cookies, they’re also learning about Finnish traditions, ingredients, and how people live in northern Europe.

To dive deeper into Finnish language and culture, try Dinolingo. With Finnish lessons designed for ages 2 to 14, Dinolingo offers interactive videos, games, songs, flashcards, and even printable recipes to make language learning fun and tasty! Whether your child is just starting out or already learning Finnish, Dinolingo makes the experience playful and engaging.