Exploring the Sami Reindeer Herding Culture in Norway through Food

Our Sami host family in Norway ready to host guets

Eating local and authentic food is one of the strongest travel memories we can create

When we travel, tasting different foods is one of the best ways to connect with local culture. In Northern Norway, food is at the heart of Sami traditions. Visit Natives offers authentic Sami food experiences in Norway, where Indigenous families share traditional reindeer dishes passed down for generations. These meals are deeply tied to the Sami reindeer herding culture, reflecting both Arctic survival and respect for nature. Cooking together inside a lavvu tent, tasting reindeer stew, and gathering by the fire creates a unique Sami food experience in Norway. More than just eating, it is about connecting with Sami reindeer herders, learning their heritage, and sharing unforgettable stories in the Arctic.

Potatoes, "Lappish" bread, and Sami flatbread are staples in this time-honored cuisine, which is a proof to the Sami people's respect for their heritage.

Fried reindeer meat, Sami flatbread and coffee from a traditional Kuksa mug

Sami Cuisine in Norway: How Reindeer, Food, and Traditions Respect the Natural Cycle of Animals and Plants

Immerse yourself in new and exciting travel experiences, taking you far from the ordinary. Slow food is all about the process of making it. With authentic Visit Natives Sami experiences, you will savor the local Sami culture through traditional cooking methods, like smoking fish and reindeer meat inside the traditional Sami "lavvu" tent. Step inside and observe the Sami host smoke the reindeer, while listening to the mesmerizing tradition of Sami Yoik singing. The taste of smoked reindeer is incredible and the meat is fresh, sluaghter just a few hours before.

In addition to smoking, drying reindeer meat is a vital cooking method for the Sami people. With a low-fat content of just two percent, reindeer meat is perfect for this technique. The reindeer meat strips are hung outdoors in the open air, typically on racks or branches. This is often done during late winter or early spring when the weather is cold and dry, which helps prevent spoilage. The drying process can take several weeks, depending on the climate and thickness of the meat.

Exploring the food of the Sami people offers a deep dive into their livelihood, history, and traditions, providing a unique understanding of the values and customs of the Sami reindeer herders. This creates a truly immersive Arctic food experience. Reindeer is very important for the Sami; therefore, everything from the reindeer is used. The Sami people have always utilized every part of the reindeer for food, including the hooves, the skull, the marrowbone, the bones, the intestines, the internal organs, the skin, and the blood.

The Sami use the reindeer blood for making blood sausages, blood pancakes, and dumplings, for example. Bidos is a stew the Sami serve at weddings or other special occasions. It consists of slow-cooked reindeer meat, including the heart, potatoes, and carrots. No seasoning is used except salt, yet the stew has a rich taste reflecting the pasture of the reindeer.

Embrace the unique flavors of Sami cuisine, featuring delicacies like boiled reindeer eyes and tongue, served alongside potatoes, flatbread, and lingonberries. Traditional Sami food embodies sustainability and a deep respect for both the food and animals, contributing to the reduction of food waste. Our Sami host, Nils, fondly recalls his favorite childhood dishes – boiled reindeer blood sausages and barbecued reindeer tongue.

Dried reindeer meat

Healthy and Pure Arctic Food: Exploring Sami Reindeer Traditions and Culture in Norway

Reindeer graze freely in the cleanest environment in the Arctic. Reindeer get food from nature every season by eating pastures like fresh leaves, berries, herbs, and lichen hidden beneath the snow. Their diet is far away from the soya-based concentrates industrialized food production from cattle to salmon rely on.

Reindeer husbandry also helps the ecosystem by protecting Tundra. What would be better than that? Reindeer meat is much healthier than red meat and is high in omega 3 & 6 and vitamin B12. And what's more, reindeer meat is very delicious! If you're not fortunate enough to be a reindeer herder and have your own reindeer meat, purchasing it from a store can be very expensive, as it is typically the priciest type of meat.

Immerse yourself in an exclusive dining experience inside the Sami lavvu tent. Our guests have described it as one of their most cherished memories. Ready to experience the real Sami way of life? Book your stay with the Sami people in Norway with Visit Natives and explore very corner of the rich Sami reindeer herding culture.