Lohikeitto (Finnish Salmon Soup)
A creamy, comforting Finnish salmon soup made with butter-softened leeks, tender potatoes, carrots, thick flakes of salmon, and heavy cream, finished with a generous shower of fresh dill. Ready in 35 minutes with just one pot.
- Total Time35 minutes
- Yield4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 leek, trimmed and sliced (about 2 cups)
- 4 cups fish stock or fish stock cubes dissolved in water
- 1 pound potatoes, cubed (2 to 3 cups)
- 1 carrot, sliced (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1 pound salmon, cut into large pieces
- 1 cup heavy cream (35%)
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- fresh dill, chopped, for serving
Instructions
- Soften the Leeks: In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the sliced leeks and cook, stirring, for 5 to 6 minutes until wilted, translucent, and fragrant.
- Build the Broth: Add the fish stock, cubed potatoes, and sliced carrots. Bring to a boil and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, until the vegetables are softened and fork-tender.
- Add Salmon and Cream: Add the salmon pieces and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, until the salmon is just cooked through and flakes easily. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Serve: Divide the soup among bowls, ensuring each serving has a generous portion of salmon, potatoes, and carrots. Top generously with chopped fresh dill and serve immediately.
Notes
Use skin-on salmon fillets for extra richness — the skin peels off easily after cooking. Cut salmon into large 2-inch pieces so they break into substantial flakes rather than shredding. Fish stock cubes work perfectly if you don’t have homemade stock. Keep the soup at a gentle simmer after adding the cream to prevent it from separating. Only use the white and light green parts of the leek, and wash sliced leeks in cold water to remove hidden grit. Fresh dill is essential to the flavor — dried dill is not a suitable substitute here.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course, Soup
- Cuisine: Finnish, Nordic, Scandinavian
Nutrition
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 16
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 28
- Cholesterol: 130
