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Cool, creamy and quick to make,skagenröra (or Swedish Shrimp Salad) is the kind of easy and versatile dish you want in your collection of Scandinavian recipes.
Skagenröra is most notably the topping for thelegendary Swedish appetizerknown asToast Skagen, but it has many other delicious uses as well! Keep reading for step by step instructions for making skagenröra and tasty ways to serve it at home!
Why This Recipe Works
- Frozen cooked shrimpform the base of this recipe which makes it easy to whip together on a moment's notice.
- A simple, flavorful dressingis whisked together in minutes and tossed with the shrimp making this possibly the most quick and elegant shrimp salad of all time.
- I've got a few tips and tricks outlined below to keep your dressing super creamy (aka NOT watery) and delicious!
Ingredients
- Frozen cooked shrimpform the base of this recipe making it extra easy to prepare. Look for the smallest shrimp you can find.
- Fresh creamsandmayonnaisecreate the creamy base of the dressing. The two together create a luxurious texture and balanced flavor.
- A bit ofdijon mustardandminced shallotadd a little something extra to the dressing without being overpowering. Some people find minced shallot or onion to be objectionable in skagenröra. If this is you, please feel free to omit it.
- Chopped fresh dillfinishes off the dressing with herbal flair, and a squeeze of alemon wedgeover the top just before enjoying adds welcome brightness.
How to Make This Recipe
- Begin by thawing the shrimp, either overnight in the refrigerator or by placing them in a strainer and rinsing the shrimp under cold water until they are thawed (this should only take 5 minutes or so). Transfer the shrimp to a paper towel-lined baking sheet and pat dry.
- Whisk the creme fraiche ,mayonnaise,dijon mustard, shallot and dill together in a medium bowl.
- Add the shrimp to the bowl and toss gently to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper (it's quite likely you won't need any salt depending on how salty your shrimp are to begin with so be sure to taste it first.
- Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes or up to a day. Serve with lemon wedges.
Expert Tips
- Thaw the shrimp thoroughly and dry them well before adding to the dressing.Extra moisture is the enemy of skagenröra as it can create a watery dressing. Take care to eliminate as much moisture from the shrimp as possible prior to tossing them with the dressing.
- Squeeze lemon wedges over the top rather than adding lemon juice to the dressing. This will also help keep you dressing as moisture free and creamy as possible.
FAQs
What ingredients make up a traditional skagenröra?
Skagenröra can contain a variety of different shellfish but is usually made with small shrimp. Some recipes are entirelymayonnaise-based, and some contain a combination ofmayonnaiseand creme fraiche or sour cream. The former produces a much creamier salad, whereas the latter creates something a little lighter. Skagenröra usually contains chopped fresh dill and sometimes includes lemon juice, grated horseradish, Tabasco sauce or brandy for added flavor.
Some recipes include minced onion or shallot, but this is a controversial topic. There are some people who feel very strongly that skagenröra should NOT contain any onion or shallot whatsoever.
How can I vary this recipe?
There are many ways to switch up this recipe! Add a combination of shellfish rather than using all shrimp, add some lemon zest to the dressing to give it a little lemony zing, add some fresh or prepared horseradish or a dash or two of Tabasco sauce for a little heat. And feel free to leave out the chopped shallot if it doesn't suit your taste. It's totally up to you!
How should I store this Swedish shrimp salad?
Store it tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to a day.
Help! My skagenröra is watery! What did I do wrong?
It's most likely that you didn't thaw the shrimp completely before tossing them with the dressing or that you didn't pat them dry thoroughly. It's also important to wait and squeeze a lemon wedge over the top of the salad before serving rather than including lemon juice in the dressing itself.
How should I serve skagenrøra?
Check out the section below for serving suggestions!
Serving Ideas for Skagenröra
- Use it as a topping forToast Skagen (Swedish Shrimp Toasts).This is probably the most popular and well known use for skagenröra, and it is an incredibly simple and elegant appetizer.
- Pile it on rye breadalong with a few complimentary ingredients such as sliced hard-boiled egg, cucumbers and fish roe. This makes for a very tasty and substantial open face sandwich.
- Simply spoon it on top of rye crackers. Sometimes simple is best.
- Make Tunnsbrödrolle!This very uniquely Swedish way of enjoying a hot dog is not to be missed: Soft flatbread is wrapped around mashed potatoes, a hot dog, crispy fried onions, ketchup, mustard and a spoonful or two of skagenröra. I know it sounds kind of crazy but it is SO unexpectedly delicious.
Looking for more Scandinavian-inspired salad recipes? Give these a try!
- Lemon Cucumber Salad with Dill
- Roasted Beet Salad with Arugula, Rye and Creamy Herbed Skyr Sauce
- Creamy Egg Salad with Dill and Capers
- Barley Salad with Asparagus, Red Pepper and Spinach
Skagenrøra (Swedish Shrimp Salad)
A simple and traditional Swedish shrimp salad flavored with fresh dill.
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Course:appetizers, salads
Cuisine:Nordic, Scandinavian, Swedish
Keyword:skagen røra, Swedish shrimp salad recipe, Toast Skagen
Prep Time:10minutes minutes
Total Time:10minutes minutes
Servings:6 servings
Calories:83kcal
Ingredients
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup creme fraiche
- 1 small shallot minced (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 12 ounces small frozen precooked shrimp thawed, drained and patted dry
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
Whisk mayonnaise, creme fraiche, shallot, mustard and dill together in a medium bowl. Gently fold in shrimp. Season to taste with salt and pepper (it may not need any additional salt depending on how salty the shrimp is). Chill for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours before serving. Serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Thaw the shrimp thoroughly and dry them well before adding to the dressing.Extra moisture is the enemy of skagenröra as it can create a watery dressing. Take care to eliminate as much moisture from the shrimp as possible prior to tossing them with the dressing.
- Squeeze lemon wedges over the top rather than adding lemon juice to the dressing. This will also help keep you dressing as moisture free and creamy as possible.
Variations:
- Lemon:Add a half teaspoon of lemon zest to the dressing.
- Spicy:Add Tabasco sauce, freshly grated horseradish or prepared horseradish to the dressing to taste.
Nutrition
Calories:83kcal|Carbohydrates:1g|Protein:1g|Fat:8g|Saturated Fat:2g|Polyunsaturated Fat:4g|Monounsaturated Fat:2g|Trans Fat:0.02g|Cholesterol:4mg|Sodium:79mg|Potassium:18mg|Fiber:0.2g|Sugar:1g|Vitamin A:17IU|Vitamin C:0.5mg|Calcium:3mg|Iron:0.1mg
If you loved this recipe, give it a star review! Also, snap a picture of your skagenröra and share it with me onInstagramusing the hashtag #truenorthkitchen and tagging me @true_north_kitchen.
More Nordic/Scandinavian Recipes
- Swedish Oatmeal Cookies (Havreflarn)
- Simple Pear Compote
- 36 Delicious Recipes for Celebrating Midsummer
- Midsummer Smoked Salmon Salad
Reader Interactions
Comments
Kristi
Delicious and easy classic Swedish recipe!Reply
Erin
We made this and the pickled mustard seeds to top it off for a Progressive Dinner with our neighbors and everyone raved about it. Definitely the favorite of the night.
Reply
Kristi
Hi Erin,
How good of you to share the Nordic deliciousness with your neighbors! Thanks so much for your comment. Those pickled mustard seeds are something else!
KristiReply
Libby
Made this for an early midsommar celebration and it was amazing! I couldn't find the mini salad shrimp unfortunately, so I ended up chopping up some larger sized shrimp and it was perfect.Reply
Kristi
Sometimes I think the larger shrimp are tastier so maybe it was good thing. Thanks so much for your comment!
KristiReply
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FAQs
What is shrimp salad made of? ›
Shrimp Salad Ingredients
This recipe consists of shrimp, celery, red onion, lemon, salt, pepper, mayonnaise, mustard and fresh dill.
Shrimp Salad (1 cup) contains 3.6g total carbs, 2.8g net carbs, 16.1g fat, 23.6g protein, and 258 calories.
Is shrimp salad bad for cholesterol? ›Shrimp is high in cholesterol but low in saturated fat. You can enjoy shrimp in moderation as part of a balanced diet because cholesterol isn't the only factor in the development of heart disease. Years ago, shrimp was considered to be taboo for people who have heart disease or are watching their cholesterol numbers.
Is salad shrimp real shrimp? ›Sustainability sourced Pacific White Shrimp. One of the most popular species of shrimp in the world, named for the color of their shell - sweet, delicate flavor and tender, succulent texture.
Is salad shrimp good for you? ›Shrimp is high in several vitamins and minerals, and it's a rich source of protein. Eating shrimp may also promote heart and brain health due to its content of omega-3 fatty acids and the antioxidant astaxanthin ( 7 ).
What is the difference between salad shrimp and regular Shrimp? ›Pink Shrimp, like white shrimp, is a blanket term used for several species of shrimp that are generally pink when raw, though the hues can range from almost white to almost gray. Most are small in size and are sometimes designated as “salad shrimp” (because they go well in shrimp salad).
What are the health benefits of salad shrimp? ›Plus, the health benefits of shrimp are vast. Rawn explains that shrimp also contain "selenium (important for heart, immune and thyroid health) and iodine (important for thyroid health) as well as other essential nutrients, including Vitamin B12, zinc, copper, omega-3s and the antioxidant, astaxanthin."
How long is shrimp salad good for in the fridge? ›Storage Options. I will say this shrimp salad tastes the best when it's freshly made. But it will also keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container.
What is the difference between salad shrimp and regular shrimp? ›Pink Shrimp, like white shrimp, is a blanket term used for several species of shrimp that are generally pink when raw, though the hues can range from almost white to almost gray. Most are small in size and are sometimes designated as “salad shrimp” (because they go well in shrimp salad).
What is deli seafood salad made of? ›- Flake or chop the imitation crab and add it to a medium-sized bowl.
- Add the sliced bell peppers, sliced celery, red onion, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic powder, dried dill, and chives. Mix well.
- Top with chopped fresh parsley and a wedge of lemon.
- Serve and enjoy!
Where do salad shrimp come from? ›
Harvested off the coast of Oregon, Salad Shrimp have a sweet flavor with a medium-soft texture. Cooked and peeled for convenience, Oregon Salad shrimp are typically consumed cold as shrimp cocktail or ingredient in seafood salad.