National Dish Iceland: Plokkfiskur (Recipe)
In this article
Discover Plokkfiskur, the creamy fish and potato mash that Icelanders have been coming home to for generations! Flakes of tender white fish are folded through buttery mashed potato and a soft, milky sauce until the whole thing turns into pure comfort in a bowl. It asks almost nothing of the cook, uses ingredients you can find anywhere, and tastes of the cold North Atlantic in the best possible way. Bring a piece of Icelandic kitchen life straight to your own table.
About Plokkfiskur
Plokkfiskur is a traditional Icelandic dish built from poached fish and mashed potato, bound together in a gentle white sauce. It is a hearty, savoury fish mash, usually made with potatoes and onions, and its charm lies precisely in how few things it needs. The simplicity and the reliance on fresh ingredients make it a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike. More than that, it offers a genuine taste of Iceland’s maritime culture, where the day’s catch has always shaped what ends up on the plate.
Ingredients (serves 1–2)
- 200 g cooked fish (cod or haddock, for example)
- 2 large potatoes
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons plain flour
- 300 ml milk
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh herbs, to garnish (optional)
Shopping for the ingredients
To make plokkfiskur, start by gathering the fresh ingredients. Head to your nearest market or fishmonger and take care to choose good-quality fish from a sustainable source — the flavour of the finished dish depends on it more than anything else. Potatoes and onions are worth buying local and seasonal where you can. Fresh herbs such as dill or parsley give the dish its finishing touch and belong on the shopping list too, much as they do for a bright Raekjusalat Med Dill.
Preparing the dish
Before you start cooking, peel the potatoes and cut them into evenly sized pieces, then simmer them in salted water until soft. At the same time you can poach the fish, if it is not already cooked. Chopping the onion nice and finely matters here: it should melt into the mash rather than announce itself, so the texture stays smooth and even throughout.
Step-by-step instructions
- Drain the cooked potatoes and mash them with a potato masher.
- Heat the butter in a pan and sauté the chopped onion until translucent.
- Add the flour and cook it out briefly, then stir in the milk a little at a time.
- Simmer to the consistency you want, then fold in the fish and the mashed potato.
- Season with salt and pepper and garnish with herbs if you like.
Gluten-free / lactose-free version
There are easy ways to make plokkfiskur gluten-free and lactose-free. Replace the flour with a gluten-free flour blend or ground almonds to thicken the sauce just as well. For the milk, plant-based drinks such as oat or almond milk work reliably in this kind of white sauce. These small swaps mean everyone at the table can enjoy the dish without giving up any of the flavour.
Tips for vegans and vegetarians
Vegans and vegetarians can put together a delicious version of plokkfiskur too. In place of the fish, try tofu or seitan, both excellent sources of protein that take on the seasoning nicely. A vegetable purée made from carrots or peas can also give the base of the dish an entirely new twist. Handled this way, plokkfiskur becomes an experience for vegan and vegetarian cooks as much as for fish lovers.
More tips and tricks
A successful plokkfiskur really does start with fresh ingredients. Take care not to overcook the potatoes, so the mash keeps some texture rather than turning to glue. For more depth of flavour you can add paprika or a little garlic, both of which sit comfortably alongside the milky sauce. Experiment with the proportions until you have arrived at your own version of the dish.
Adapting the recipe to your taste
The lovely thing about plokkfiskur is how readily it bends to personal preference. Add vegetables such as spinach or broccoli, for instance, to bring a fresher, greener note to the bowl. A chilli is an interesting move for anyone who likes a bit of heat and enjoys pushing a traditional recipe somewhere new. Every version ends up a little different, which is exactly the point.
Ingredient substitutions
If some ingredients are not available, there is always an alternative. Instead of cod you can use other fish such as salmon or trout — the same fish that carries a classic like Reyktur Lax. If you have no potatoes, sweet potatoes or celeriac make a good base as well, each lending its own sweetness to the mash. Be creative and try something new.
Drink pairing ideas
A traditional dish like plokkfiskur goes beautifully with a freshly poured Icelandic beer. If you prefer wine, a crisp white such as Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling is an excellent choice against the richness of the sauce. For alcohol-free options, sparkling mineral water or a herbal tea accompanies the meal nicely. All of these sit in easy harmony with the flavours of the dish.
Serving and presentation ideas
A well-arranged plate adds a great deal to the pleasure of eating. Serve plokkfiskur in a deep bowl and garnish it with fresh herbs. A squeeze of lemon juice brightens the dish and sharpens the flavours considerably. It is also worth serving it with toasted rye bread — the traditional partner, and reason enough to bake a loaf of Rugbraud — for a welcome contrast in texture.
A bit of history
Plokkfiskur has a long tradition in Icelandic cooking and is often described as comfort food in the truest sense. It reflects the history of Iceland’s fishing villages, where the catch dictated the rhythm of daily life and nothing was ever wasted — yesterday’s boiled fish became today’s supper. In many families the recipe has been handed down from one generation to the next. That continuity is part of what makes Icelandic cuisine so distinctive.
More recipe ideas
Summary: Plokkfiskur
Plokkfiskur is a delicious, nourishing Icelandic dish that is genuinely simple to make. Whether you follow the traditional recipe or strike out with a modern variation, it delivers real pleasure to every palate. Because the recipe adapts so easily, it can be shaped to fit your own tastes without much effort at all. Let it inspire you and give plokkfiskur a go — a piece of Icelandic culture on your plate.
