Creamy Finnish Salmon Soup with Crème Fraîche and Dill Recipe
This creamy Finnish salmon soup, Lohikeitto, combines tender chunks of fresh salmon with buttery carrots, leeks, and Yukon gold potatoes in a flavorful seafood stock. Enriched with velvety crème fraîche and fragrant fresh dill, it offers a comforting and elegant dinner that comes together in just 40 minutes, perfect for a cozy family meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Finnish
Ingredients
Seafood and Dairy
- 1½ lbs fresh salmon filet (skin-off, cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- ¾ – 1 cup crème fraîche
Vegetables
- 3 large carrots (peeled and cut into ¼-inch thick rounds)
- 2 medium leeks (rinsed well and thinly sliced)
- 1 lb Yukon gold potatoes (cut into ¾-inch pieces)
Liquids and Seasonings
- 4 cups seafood stock
- Kosher salt (approx. ½ tsp for cooking and to taste)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 1 bunch fresh dill (about 1 cup chopped, plus more for serving)
Instructions
- Sauté the veggies: Melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sliced carrots and leeks, season with about ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and stir. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until the vegetables soften and start to release their aromas.
- Add the liquid: Stir in the cubed Yukon gold potatoes and pour in 4 cups of seafood stock. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the potatoes become tender but not falling apart.
- Cook the salmon: Add the fresh salmon cubes and ¾ cup of crème fraîche to the pot. Stir well to incorporate, then cover the soup and let it simmer gently for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the salmon is fully cooked and opaque.
- Finish with dill and seasoning: Stir in 1 cup of chopped fresh dill, taste the soup, and adjust seasoning with additional kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper if needed. Ladle into bowls and garnish with extra dill and a sprinkle of black pepper before serving.
Notes
- Use seafood stock for authentic flavor; vegetable or chicken broth can be substituted but will alter the soup’s signature taste.
- Crème fraîche adds a slight tang and creaminess; sour cream can be used as a substitute with a milder effect.
- Do not overcook the salmon to keep it tender and flaky.
- Fresh dill is crucial for the authentic flavor; dried dill will not provide the same aromatic freshness.
- This soup freezes well but it is best to freeze without crème fraîche and add it fresh when reheating.
