Explore Guides
Local food map
Oslo (Norway)
Hotels in area
Main course
Meat
Food Flavour DNA
Nutritional Values
600kcal
40gProtein
15gCarbs
45gFat
3gFibre
350 gServing
* Per serving · 350 g. May vary.
Pinnekjøtt
How to order / say it
Say it
Pinnekjøtt — [PIN-nuh-khert]
Order
I'd like the pinnekjøtt, please.
Locally
Jeg vil gjerne ha pinnekjøtt, takk.
Say locally
Salted and dried lamb ribs, traditionally served with mashed rutabaga.
Why try it?
Pinnekjøtt is a key part of the Norwegian Christmas tradition, particularly in Western Norway. It embodies the traditional Norwegian methods of preservation through salting and drying.
How it tastes
The ribs are rich and savory, with intense lamb flavors enhanced by the salting and drying process, often accompanied by the earthy sweetness of mashed rutabaga.
Origin & History — first documented: 1800
Originating from Western Norway, pinnekjøtt has been a Yuletide treat for centuries, evolving from practical preservation into a festive delicacy enjoyed during the 19th century with the advent of modern Christmas celebrations in Norway.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 🥩 500 g lamb ribs
- 🧂 200 g birch twigs
- 🥕 300 g rutabaga
- 🥛 50 g butter
- 🥛 100 ml milk
- 🧂 1 tbsp salt
Method
- 1 Soak salted lamb ribs in water overnight to desalt.
- 2 Place birch twigs at the bottom of a pot, add ribs on top.
- 3 Steam with lid on for 3 hours until tender.
- 4 Serve with mashed rutabaga and enjoy.
More from Bergen
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Fish & Seafood
Bacalao
bah-kah-lah-oh
A tomato-based stew made with salted cod, potatoes, and onions.
© Wikimedia Commons
Bread
Vegetarian
Lefse
LEFF-suh
A traditional Norwegian flatbread made out of potatoes and flour, often served with butter and sugar.
🌿
Snack
Vegetarian
Brown Cheese Sandwich
Brunost Smoerbroed
broon-ohst smoo-yer-brewd
Open-faced sandwich featuring slices of caramelized goat cheese.
🥩
Main course
Meat
Christmas Rib
Ribbe
REH-buh
Traditional Norwegian pork rib served during Christmas.
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Meat
Fårikål
FOH-ree-kohl
A simple and hearty mutton and cabbage stew, considered the national dish of Norway.
© Wikimedia Commons
Starter
Fish & Seafood
Gravlax
Gravlaks
GRAHV-laks
A Scandinavian dish of cured salmon with dill, typically served with mustard sauce.
Main course
Meat
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Kålruletter
Kohl-roo-leh-ter
A dish of cabbage leaves stuffed with a savory beef and rice filling.
© Wikimedia Commons
Soup
Fish & Seafood
Creamy Fish Soup
Bergensk Fiskesuppe
BER-genss FEE-skeh-soo-peh
A creamy white soup made with fish, cream, and root vegetables.
© Wikimedia Commons
Dessert
Vegetarian
Cloudberry Cream
Multekrem
MOOL-teh-krem
A dessert made with cloudberries and whipped cream, a Northern treat.
© Wikimedia Commons
Snack
Fish & Seafood
Open-Faced Sandwich
Smørbrød
SMUHR-brohd
A traditional Norwegian open-faced sandwich with various toppings.