Danish Food: 15 Traditional Dishes You Must Try

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.

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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.

Get a taste for Denmark’s native ingredients by clicking on a recipe below to try.

Danish smorrebrod traditional open sandwich at Copenhagen food market store. Many sandwiches on display with seafood and meat, smoked salmon.

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.

Caramelized new potatoes with herbs close-up on a plate

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.

Roast pork belly with boiled potatoes and cream sauce.

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.

Rice pudding with almonds, whipped cream and cherry sauce

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.

Frikadeller

This savory pork meatball is a favorite in Denmark. It is often served with brown sauce, potatoes, and cabbage.

Slices of roasted pork with crispy crackling on white plate, isolated on black background

Flæskesteg

Try this recipe for roast pork. In Denmark, the dish is always made with the crispy pork rind intact.

Koldskål

The word Koldskål means “cold bowl.” This dish is traditionally a summer dessert that consists of cold buttermilk soup, biscuits, and fruit.

Karbonader

These breaded pork patties are a popular dinner item in Danish cuisine.

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!

Simple no-bake Danish apple cake called Aeblekage made of stewed apple and vanilla cookie crumbs served in glass

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.

Tartlets with sauce of chicken and asparagus with garnish of parsley

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.

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.

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.

Danish hotdog with traditional red sausage and cucumber

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.

Danish Creams

Danish creams are a delicious and creamy pastry. Watch the video for the recipe!

Elder R.H. Sorenson and L.C. Jacobsen tracting in Denmark, 1913. They are standing by bicycles.

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Traditional Danish Food: 15 Recipes You Must Try

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