Lohikeitto (Finnish Salmon Soup)
In short: A creamy Finnish soup of fresh salmon, potatoes and leek, scented with allspice and dill. A warming dinner that comes together in under an hour. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 490 kcal
Lohikeitto is the soup Finns reach for when they want something warming and quick. Chunks of fresh salmon go into a pot of soft potatoes, leek and carrot in a light cream broth, scented with allspice and a generous handful of dill. The fish is added at the very end and barely cooked, so it stays tender. Serve with buttered rye bread.
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the leek and carrot for 4 minutes, stirring, until the leek is soft but not browned.
- Add the potatoes, stock, allspice, bay leaf and salt. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, until the potatoes are almost tender.
- Reduce the heat to low. Add the salmon and cook gently for 3 to 4 minutes, until it turns opaque and flakes easily (63°C / 145°F).
- Pour in the cream and warm the soup for 2 minutes without letting it boil. Remove the bay leaf and allspice berries.
- Season with white pepper and more salt if needed, stir in the dill and serve right away with rye bread.
Tips
- Add the salmon last and keep the heat low. Salmon overcooked in a boiling soup turns dry and chalky.
- For a lighter soup, use whole milk in place of the cream. A spoonful of crème fraîche stirred into each bowl brings back some richness.
Questions and answers
Can I make lohikeitto ahead of time?
Make the soup base with potatoes up to a day ahead. Reheat it gently and add the salmon, cream and dill just before serving.
Can I freeze lohikeitto?
It is better not to. Cream-based soups can separate and the potatoes turn grainy after thawing.
What do you serve with lohikeitto?
Dark rye bread with butter is the classic partner. A simple cucumber salad or a slice of sourdough also goes well.
How long does it take to make Lohikeitto (Finnish Salmon Soup)?
About 45 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Lohikeitto (Finnish Salmon Soup)?
About 490 kcal per serving, with 30 g of protein, 32 g of carbohydrates and 27 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 490 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 30 g |
| Carbohydrates | 32 g |
| Fat | 27 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 780 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
