Norwegian Risgrøt Rice Porridge | The Modern Proper (2024)

Risgrøt—a festive Norwegian rice pudding—is a heart-warming, soul-satisfying treat that is humble, almost too easy, and impossible not to love.

God Jul!

This cardamom-kissed, creamy Norwegian porridge recipe—called "risgrøt" in Norway—is traditionally served on Christmas Eve for breakfast, lunch, or even as part of dinner. What we love most about it is its simplicity. The ingredients are ones you're likely to have on hand. It's not fussy or frilly, and yet somehow—amidst all the excesses of the season—year after year, it’s a simple bowl of risgrøt that feels truly perfect. We've begun to incorporate risgrøt into our own smorgasbord of Christmas traditions, and hope to do so for many years to come. Risgrøt, in all of its soothing simplicity, encompasses the sacred, if not glamorous, side of the holidays. Making it—stirring the rice, sprinkling cardamom and scraping vanilla beans—is a ritual we've come to treasure.

A Sweet Nordic Christmas Ritual That’s Easy to Love.

Our connection to this Scandinavian Christmas tradition comes via Holly’s husband—whose family is of Norwegian descent—and so because of that very specific connection, we call our Christmas rice pudding recipe risgrøt. But! Most Scandinavian countries have their own version of this festive rice porridge. In Denmark, the classic mid-winter porridge is known as risalamande (meaning ‘rice with almonds’). Swedish Christmas porridge is called julegrot or risgrynsgröt, and is meant to be left out on Christmas Eve along with cookies for Santa as a treat to appease any tomte (gnome-like creatures) that may visit. Many Scandinavian rice porridge recipes call for a single almond to be mixed into the finished pudding, and the person who gets the almond in their bowl is said to have good luck in the coming year.

A Traditional Norwegian Recipe, a Few Humble Ingredients.

Festive doesn’t have to mean fussy. The magic of this rice pudding recipe lies in its hushed simplicity—like the quiet beauty of a fresh snowfall. Here’s all you’ll need to make this simple Norwegian porridge recipe:

• Long grain white rice
• Sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Cardamom. Use pre-ground, or buy cardamom pods and grind it yourself for a truly powerful cardamom flavor!
• Whole milk.
• Unsalted butter.
• Cinnamon.

How to Make Porridge That’s Full of Holiday Cheer.

Is it the snowy-white rice, all steaming hot and creamy? Or the warm scent of pungent cardamom and fresh vanilla pods? Or the colorful berries that we sprinkle over our bowls of porridge—bright baubles that glisten atop a comforting mountain of Norwegian rice pudding? Whatever it is—stirring a big pot of risgrøt is the holiday tradition that signals to us each year that Christmastime truly has arrived. Here’s how to make it (it couldn’t be easier):

1. Simmer the rice in water for about ten minutes to partially cook it.
2. Spice and sweeten it with cardamom, vanilla and sugar.
3. Stir, and begin adding milk very slowly as you continue to stir, just as you would with a risotto. The rice will absorb the milk as you stir it over the heat.
4. Keep stirring. You're going to stir pretty constantly for about 40 minutes, so you'll probably want to put on your favorite Christmas album and make it a party. Stirring is a job even the littlest elf can help out with, so don't hesitate to enlist some helpers!
5. Done! When the rice porridge looks creamy, but like all of the milk has been absorbed, you're done! Ladle it into big bowls, and serve with cinnamon, a pad of butter and (if you'd like to) some fresh or frozen berries.

Tools You’ll Need:

• Large pot.
• A sturdy wooden spoon for mixing.
• Liquid measure.
• Measuring spoons.
• Patience & elbow grease.

Need More Christmas Breakfast Recipe Ideas?

Did someone say festive breakfast!? Because we’re SO on it. Here are 4 of our favorite Santa-approved Christmas morning indulgences:

• Eggnog Pull-Apart Bread
• Baked French Toast
• Gingerbread Loaf
• Cardamom Rolls with Almond Glaze

Happy Hygge to You

We’re just as hygge obsessed as the rest of you, and to us, nothing says cozy winter day like a big bowl of this Norwegian rice pudding. We hope we’ve convinced you to add it to your holiday celebrations! Snap a photo of your risgrøt and maybe even a video of the beautiful people you feed it to. Tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper. Happy eating!