The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Dutch Foods. If you manage to be in an Dutch restaurant or you are visiting Holland, I recommend the following:
1. AVG’tje
It means, like its initials, potato, meat and vegetable dish. You can also put boiled potatoes, green beans and maybe even add some gravy on top. This standard Dutch dinner term means Aardappel, Vlees, Groenten or potatoes, meat and vegetables. Many Dutch households do not like or cannot decide on just one existing dish but opt for a combination of these basic elements.
2. Stroopwafel
Another sweet treat that is much loved by the Dutch is the Stroopwafel. Two baked waffles with caramel syrup filling in the middle will surely make you want to eat another and then another. Caramel flavour is the traditional flavour, but nowadays Stroopwafel has many flavours and toppings. Keep in mind that the waffles are not thick, so you won’t feel full right away.
3. Hachee
Hachee is a traditional Dutch stew consisting of beef, butter, onion, stock and vinegar. It is often seasoned with bay leaves, cloves, juniper berries, salt and pepper. The stew takes a long time to cook, resulting in tender meat and a rich, flavourful gravy. Originally, hachi was a farmer’s dish, made from vegetables and leftover meat.
4. Huzarensalade
Huzarensalade is the Dutch version of Olivier salad. What belongs in this salad and what does not is a matter of debate, but it usually includes a combination of potatoes, sour apples, pickled cucumbers, cucumber juice, carrots, shallots and cooked ham or veal, mayonnaise, peas and spices. The vegetables are cooked and mixed with the rest of the ingredients, and the salad is usually refrigerated before garnishing and serving. It is served as a salad with grilled meat and is often served as a buffet at Christmas or New Year.
5. Pannenkoeken
Unlike American pancakes, Dutch pancakes are flatter, tastier and bigger. They are eaten at any time of the day, sometimes with cured meat or smoked salmon. However, they can also be eaten as a dessert or snack, with fruit and chocolate. A very typical Amsterdam combination is the Stroop pancake, which is a very thick, caramel-like maple syrup that adds an unparalleled sticky sweetness.
6. Stamppot
This dish is a typical and very popular stew that is eaten in many parts of the world. Especially in the winter season, it is available in every restaurant in Holland. Although it is characterised by many ingredients, the most common ones are sauerkraut, smoked meat and cabbage. It is one of the most popular meals.
7. Pancakes
Poffertjes is the typical Dutch mini pancake made of buckwheat flour and yeast. The mini pancakes are baked in a special Poffertjes pan in a special way that makes them feel so light when you eat them and you can taste the fluffy texture. Normally, sugar and butter as ingredients are enough to satisfy your appetite. But sometimes you can also find Poffertjes topped with syrup or advocaat, a traditional Dutch alcoholic drink made from eggs, sugar and brandy.
8. Hutspot
Hutspot is a colourful traditional Dutch dish made of potatoes, carrots and onions, often mashed and seasoned with salt and pepper. The carrots must have a high content of natural sugars, such as the Dutch Zimnepenen variety, harvested just after the first frost, which gives the dish a special flavour. The dish is traditionally served with Dutch-style dumplings or klapstuk, a stew. The name hutspot comes from the Dutch hutsen, which means to mix.
9. Pea Soup (Snert)
Snert is a typical Dutch soup consumed all over the country. It is a thick, green stew made from split peas, pork, celery, onion and leek, and contrary to its name, it is actually delicious and comforting.
10. Brown Bean Soup
Brenebon soup or bruinebonensoep is a pea soup, which is commonly found on every Dutch table. The soup is prepared from beans with vegetables, served in a broth seasoned with garlic, pepper and other spices. Pork shank (the meat used for this dish) is often used as a rich broth. The rich, viscous pork shank creates a smooth, glossy broth.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional European Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.