🔥 BBQ World Tour: Scandinavia – Fire, Wood & Fish in Perfection

When it comes to BBQ, few people think of Scandinavia. But the Nordic countries have a deep barbecue tradition that fits perfectly with their closeness to nature and love of high-quality ingredients. Here, everything revolves around open fire, smoke and pure flavors - be it flame-grilled salmon, smoked game or freshly baked pinnebrød .

🔥 Scandinavian BBQ: Pure, intense & close to nature

While other countries are dominated by strong spice mixtures , Scandinavia relies on the pure taste of fire and wood . Less is more here! Fish, game and bread are the classics that are slowly cooked over birch wood or juniper smoke .

• Flame-grilled salmon (Loimulohi) – Salmon is stretched on a wooden board and cooked diagonally over an open fire.
• Smoked Reindeer – Tender game meat is smoked with juniper and salt over birch wood.
• Pinnebrød (Norwegian stick bread) – A rustic bread baked directly on the campfire.

🔥 3 original recipes for Scandinavian BBQ

1. Flamed salmon – Scandinavian classic on the fire

Ingredients for 4 people:

• 1 salmon side with skin (approx. 1 kg)
• 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon chopped dill
• 1 teaspoon juniper berries, crushed
• 1 wooden board & nails or staples

Preparation:

1. Rub the salmon skin side down with salt and let it sit for 20 minutes.
2. Mix honey, mustard, dill & juniper and apply to the meat side.
3. Fix the fish to a wooden board with nails or staples and place it at an angle over the fire.
4. Cook slowly over indirect heat (approx. 45–60 minutes) until the meat is juicy.
5. Serve with lemon slices and horseradish.

2. Smoked Reindeer – Smoked Reindeer Steak

Ingredients for 4 people:

• 500 g reindeer or venison loin
• 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon crushed juniper berries
• 1 handful of beech or birch wood shavings

Preparation:

1. Rub the meat with oil, salt and juniper.
2. Prepare the grill for indirect heat at around 100°C. Wrap the wood chips in aluminum foil and place them on the embers.
3. Place the meat on the grill and smoke for 45-60 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 55°C.
4. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

3. Pinnebrød – Scandinavian stick bread

Ingredients for 4 people:

• 250 g flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 150 ml of water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Preparation:

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl and knead into a smooth dough.
2. Divide the dough into 4 portions and form into long strands.
3. Wrap the dough strands around a stick and bake slowly over the campfire until golden brown.
4. Optionally serve with butter and honey.

🔥 Conclusion: BBQ the Nordic way

• ✅ Minimalistic & smoky: few ingredients but maximum flavor.
• ✅ Game, fish & wood fire: Scandinavian BBQ relies on natural flavors.
• ✅ Birch smoke instead of coal: The secret of Nordic barbecue taste.

🔥 It's high time to light the campfire - and experience BBQ the Scandinavian way! 🔥