Smørrebrød is a traditional open-faced sandwich consisting of buttered rye bread that is topped with numerous ingredients and typically accompanied by vegetables, herbs, and salads. Toppings include ingredients such as cold cuts of meat, cheeses, spreads, meatballs, caviar, and condiments such as mayonnaise.
This sandwich was invented in the 19th century by Scandinavian agricultural workers who would pack a variety of open-faced sandwiches for lunch–often made with leftovers from the previous night–in order to provide them with energy during the long working hours.
VARIATIONS OF Smørrebrød
MOST ICONIC Smørrebrød
View moreMAIN INGREDIENTS
Rejemad is a Danish open-faced sandwich that’s traditionally made with small seasonal shrimp called fjordrejer. The sandwich is made with a combination of prawns, lemon juice, mayonnaise, salt, dill, and toasted slices of wholewheat bread.
The prawns are boiled for a few minutes in salted water and lemon juice until bright pink. They’re peeled, seasoned with salt and pepper, and drizzled with lemon juice. The prawns are piled onto toasted bread, and the sandwich is topped with mayonnaise and garnished with dill sprigs before serving.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
This traditional Danish version of the American hamburger is prepared with a thick beef patty that is served on a bun or a bread roll. It is usually accompanied by various sides and condiments such as pickles, onions, ketchup, or mustard.
Due to its popularity, there is also a unique variety of the dish – a local specialty of the Jutland region – where the whole hamburger is doused in brown gravy before serving. Since their first first appearance in 1949, hamburgers have become an important part of Danish food culture, traditionally enjoyed at numerous burger bars across the country.
MOST ICONIC Bøfsandwich
Stjerneskud is a popular Danish type of open-faced sandwich, part of the traditional Danish cuisine known as "smørrebrød." The dish typically consists of a buttered piece of rye bread topped with various kinds of seafood.
Commonly, it features steamed and breaded plaice fillets, with fish like salmon, and shrimp. Additionally, Stjerneskud is garnished with a variety of ingredients such as asparagus, caviar, lemon slices, and mayonnaise or a remoulade sauce.
MOST ICONIC Stjerneskud
View moreThis Danish sandwich consists of a bun that is filled with thinly sliced flæskesteg—a traditional pork roast with a crispy rind. It is usually complemented by braised red cabbage, pickles, mustard, ketchup, or mayonnaise. Flæskestegssandwich is a popular street food item that is often served at traditional hot dog stands and fast food establishments.
MOST ICONIC Flæskestegssandwich
MAIN INGREDIENTS
The open-faced sandwich known as sol over Gudhjem is a variety of the ubiquitous Danish smørrebrød. It is prepared with buttered rye bread that is typically topped with smoked or marinated herring, radish, chives, onion rings, and a raw egg yolk that symbolizes the sun.
The unusual name of the dish can be translated as the sun over Gudhjem, referring to a city on the island of Bornholm, famous for its smoked herring and this sandwich–originally invented more than a hundred years ago. Today, this Danish classic is eaten throughout the country, and it should always be prepared and served fresh.
Fiskefilet med remoulade is a Danish open-faced sandwich. It consists of a breaded and fried fish fillet (plaice, cod, flounder, sole, or any white fish) that's placed on a slice of buttered rye bread (rugbrød) with lettuce leaves.
The sandwich is topped with remoulade sauce and a lemon slice or wedge which can be squeezed for extra acidity, if desired. Due to the fact that the sandwich has many ingredients and eating it can be quite messy, it's often eaten with a knife and fork.
MOST ICONIC Fiskefilet med remoulade
Dyrlægens natmad, which translates to veterinarian's midnight snack, is a popular variety of the Danish smørrebrød. The sandwich is assembled with rye bread that is spread with butter and used as a base to hold the various toppings which include sliced salted beef, sky (Danish meat aspic), and leverpostej (liver pâté).
Traditionally, the sandwich is finished off with sliced red onions, sprouts, and a sprinkle of parsley or dill. Due to the number of ingredients, it is suggested to consume dyrlægens natmad with a knife and fork.
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