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Sautéed Reindeer — traditional dish from Lapland, Finland
Main course Meat

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥650kcal
💪48gProtein
🌾20gCarbs
🥑42gFat
🌿1gFibre
⚖️350 gServing

* Per serving · 350 g. May vary.

Allergens

🥛 Dairy

Sautéed Reindeer

How to order / say it
Say it Poronkäristys — [POH-ron-kar-ris-tus]
Order I'd like sautéed reindeer, please.
Locally Haluaisin poronkäristystä, kiitos.
Say locally

Thinly sliced reindeer meat sautéed with butter and onions, served with mashed potatoes.

Why try it?

Poronkäristys offers a taste of Finland’s wilderness and the culinary traditions of the Sami people. It's a dish closely connected to Finnish Lapland and their sustainable use of local resources.

How it tastes

The reindeer meat is rich and gamey, sauteed to perfection, providing a unique flavor. The accompanying mashed potatoes and lingonberries enhance the earthy taste, delivering an authentic Nordic dining experience.

Origin & History — first documented: 1880

Traditionally prepared by the Sami of Northern Finland, Poronkäristys has been enjoyed since the late 19th century. It symbolizes the Sami's deep connection to reindeer herding and their nomadic lifestyle.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🥩 400 g reindeer meat
  • 🥛 50 g butter
  • 🧄 1 onion
  • 🧂 1 tsp black pepper
  • 🍯 50 g lingonberry jam

Method

  1. 1 Slice reindeer meat thinly and chop onions.
  2. 2 Melt butter in a skillet, fry onions until translucent.
  3. 3 Add reindeer meat, seasoning with black pepper, and sauté until cooked through.
  4. 4 Serve with mashed potatoes and a spoonful of lingonberry jam.

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All Europe recipes — Finland — Helsinki — Sautéed Reindeer
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