Danish food is known for meats, rye bread, and fruit-and-cream desserts. If you have ancestors from Denmark, you may be able to gain a bit of insight into their lives through the foods they ate. Better yet, visit Denmark to experience the food and the culture for yourself.
If you have family recipes passed down from your Danish ancestors, record the recipes on FamilySearch Memories to save them for the future and share them with your relatives.
Traditional food in Denmark is based on what could easily be farmed or gathered during the country’s short summers. Cabbage, root vegetables, meat, fish, and rye bread were all staples. Wild berries are also a favorite in Danish cuisine. Try these recipes to get a taste for Denmark’s native ingredients.
1. Smørrebrød
If there is one food that Denmark is famous for, it is their open-faced sandwiches. A smørrebrød is typically made with buttered rye bread topped with any combination of meats, cheeses, and garnishes.
2. Kartofler
These caramelized potatoes are often used as a side dish for Christmas dinner. At one time, they were eaten only by the wealthy because butter and sugar were costly.
3. Stegt flæsk med persillesovs
This dish is known as the “national dish of Denmark.” It is a simple and tasty combination of crispy pork, potatoes, and parsley sauce.
4. Risalamande
This almond rice pudding is typically served after Christmas dinner. To make it, mix rice pudding with whipped cream, chopped almonds, and vanilla. As the final touch, top it off with warm cherry sauce.
5. Frikadeller
This savory pork meatball is a favorite in Denmark. It is often served with brown sauce, potatoes, and cabbage.
6. Flæskesteg
Try this recipe for roast pork. In Denmark, the dish is always made with the crispy pork rind intact.
7. Koldskål
The word Koldskål means “cold bowl.” This dish is traditionally a summer dessert that consists of cold buttermilk soup, biscuits, and fruit.
8. Karbonader
These breaded pork patties are a popular dinner item in Danish cuisine.
9. Rødgrød med fløde
This traditional Danish food is a red berry pudding served for dessert with whipped cream. Soak the berries in sugar and water. Then heat the mixture up. Easy as pie!
10. Æblekage
Apple cake isn’t your average cake. Rather, this Danish food is similar to a trifle with layers of stewed apples, caramelized oats, and whipped cream. Some variations are more closely related to a typical cake and are made with a cake base, sliced apples, and spices.
11. Tarteletter
These flaky tartlets are filled with a chicken and asparagus mixture. The flavor may differ somewhat from the original dish because it was traditionally made with hens too old to lay eggs.
12. Rugbrød
Rye bread, or Rugbrød in Danish, is a nutrient-rich bread filled with seeds, grains, and rye. In Denmark, it is the bread most often used for the country’s famous open-faced sandwiches.
13. Forloren hare
Danish meatloaf is known as “mock hare,” most likely because it is cooked similarly to game—wrapped in bacon and served with a jelly sauce.
14. Pølser
Pølser is the ultimate street food and is known as a kind of gourmet hot dog. It is made with a red sausage, bun, and various toppings. If you can’t go to Denmark to get one, try making one in your own home.
Exploring your Danish Heritage
My great grandparents came from Denmark. Our favorite Danish food are Aebleskivers. They are like a small round pancake, made in a special pan. I have my great grandmother’s pan that came from Denmark. The story is that if you eat them on New Years day, just after midnight, you will have good luck all that year.
We enjoyed a ‘heritage’ vacation to Denmark in June, 2019 and sampled many of the dishes featured in your article. Enjoyed every one of them and every moment of our trip.