Fiskesuppe (Norwegian Creamy Fish Soup)
In short: A creamy soup of carrots, leeks and celery with cod, salmon and shrimp poached at the end, finished with chives and a squeeze of lemon. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 450 kcal
Fiskesuppe, the creamy fish soup of the Norwegian coast, holds carrots, leeks and chunks of white fish, salmon and shrimp. It is a warming everyday dish and a common restaurant lunch in Bergen and Oslo. The vegetables cook in fish stock first, then cream goes in, and the fish poaches for only a few minutes at the end so it stays tender. Serve with crusty bread.
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the leek, carrots and celery for 5 minutes, stirring, until the leek is soft.
- Add the fish stock and bay leaf, bring to a boil and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, until the carrots are tender.
- Pour in the cream and bring back to a gentle simmer. Do not let it boil hard.
- Add the cod and salmon and poach gently for 4 minutes, until just opaque (63°C / 145°F). Add the shrimp and warm for 1 minute.
- Season with the salt, pepper and lemon juice. Remove the bay leaf, stir in the chives or dill, and serve in warm bowls with crusty bread.
Tips
- Add the fish last and keep the heat low. Hard boiling breaks the fish apart and can make the cream split.
- For a lighter soup, use half cream and half whole milk. A little extra lemon juice keeps it fresh.
Questions and answers
What fish is best for fiskesuppe?
Firm white fish such as cod or haddock, with salmon for color and richness. Shrimp or mussels are common additions.
Can I make fiskesuppe ahead of time?
Make the vegetable and stock base a day ahead. Reheat it, then add the cream, fish and shrimp just before serving, since fish overcooks on reheating.
What do you serve with fiskesuppe?
Crusty bread or flatbread with butter. A glass of cold sparkling water with lemon suits it well.
How long does it take to make Fiskesuppe (Norwegian Creamy Fish Soup)?
About 50 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Fiskesuppe (Norwegian Creamy Fish Soup)?
About 450 kcal per serving, with 34 g of protein, 8 g of carbohydrates and 32 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 450 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 34 g |
| Carbohydrates | 8 g |
| Fat | 32 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 850 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
