Lisäruoaksi

Lisäruoaksi is a Finnish culinary term used to indicate that a dish should be served as an addition to the main course, functioning as a side dish or accompaniment. The word combines lisä (addition, extra) and ruoka (food, dish). In recipes and menu descriptions, lisäruoaksi clarifies what should be served alongside the primary item, rather than as the focal point.

Common types of lisäruoaksi include potatoes (boiled, mashed, or roasted), rice, pasta, vegetables (steamed, roasted, or sautéed), salads, breads, and various sauces. In traditional Finnish meals, lisäruoaksi often comprises potato-based preparations or a vegetable side to complement meat or fish. The concept is similar to the English term side dish or accompaniment, though it is used within Finnish culinary language and menu descriptions.

Usage examples can describe a dish as "lisäruoaksi tarjotaan perunamuusia" (mashed potatoes as a side dish) or "lisäruoaksi vihreä salaatti" (green salad as a side dish). The term helps cooks plan portions and balance flavors and textures across a meal.

Cultural context: Finnish meals commonly present a main protein paired with one or more lisäruoaksi components to provide variety in texture and nutrition within a single meal. The term appears in home cooking, family recipes, cookbooks, and restaurant menus that offer Finnish-language descriptions.

See also: Finnish cuisine, side dish, accompaniment.