A Summertime Treat: Norwegian‑Inspired Charcuterie Board

17th Jul 2025

Wanda Hanson

Norwegians have long enjoyed smørgåsbord-style spreads—assorted smoked fish, meats, cheeses and relishes—much like today’s popular charcuterie boards. This Norwegian twist using Norsland Lefse ingredients puts family‑style summer entertaining front and center.

Why Lefse Makes a Perfect Charcuterie Base

Lefse, the soft potato flatbread, is a versatile canvas for both savory and sweet toppings. On this board, we use lefse to create ham pinwheels and berry preserve roll-ups, alongside fruit, pickled items, crackers and other savory additions.

Peppered Mackerel, Crackers & Smoked Almonds

Add Sunnmore Peppered Mackerel for a savory, lightly smoked addition to the board. Serve the peppered mackerel with crackers or folded pieces of lefse. Add almonds—smoked at home or store-bought—for extra crunch.

Fresh & Flavorful Toppings

Fill in with seasonal favorites like cherries, raspberries, dried apricots, olives and almonds. For extra Scandinavian flavor, add pickled marinated mushrooms, dilled garlic, sweet baby corn or stuffed olives from our pickled selection. Sunnmore Peppered Mackerel adds a smoky, savory fish option. Herring also works well when available.

Recipes for Your Board

Norwegian Pinwheels

Ingredients:

16 oz cream cheese
1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning mix
½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
½ cup finely chopped ham
½ cup chopped green onion
2 lefse rounds

Directions:

Mix cream cheese, ranch mix, and shredded cheddar in a medium bowl.
Gently spread the mixture on each lefse round.
Sprinkle each round with chopped ham and green onions.
Roll into a cylinder, chill 1–2 hours, then slice into pinwheels.
Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days or freeze for a month.

Berry Preserve Lefse Roll‑Ups

Ingredients:

Your favorite berry preserves or jam—lingonberry works especially well when available
Soft butter
1 round lefse

Directions:

Spread butter on lefse round.
Add a thin layer of preserves or jam.
Cut into strips (~3–4″ tall), then roll and serve.

Pepper Jelly & Cream Cheese Dip

Ingredients:

1 jar store-bought pepper jelly—red pepper, hot pepper or jalapeño jelly all work
8 oz whipped cream cheese
Uffda Chips and/or assorted crackers

Directions:

Spoon whipped cream cheese into a small bowl.
Top with 3+ tablespoons of pepper jelly.
Serve with chips or crackers.

Smoked Almonds

Ingredients:

1 egg white
2 tsp salt
½ tsp liquid hickory smoke
3 cups raw almonds

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
Beat egg white until foamy; stir in salt and liquid smoke.
Coat almonds in the mixture.
Spread on baking sheet and bake for 30 mins, stirring every 10 mins.
Let cool before serving.

Drinks to Serve With Your Board

Pair your board with sparkling water and lemon, lemonade, a light lager, or a simple vodka soda. Choose a light drink that complements the smoked fish, pickled vegetables, fruit and lefse without overpowering them.

Assembling Your Board

Place the pepper jelly dip in the center. Arrange cheeses in a curve, then add lines of crackers, Uffda Chips, fruit, nuts, olives, and ham rolls. Complement the board with pickled vegetables and Sunnmore Peppered Mackerel. When herring is available, it works well too. Serve fish in small bowls to keep the flavors separate.

Get creative! Use different boards, fresh berries, hazelnuts, or other favorites to make it truly “yours.”

Warm, community‑minded, and brimming with Nordic charm—this board is sure to become a summertime staple.

Check out the images below!