Smørrebrød, or open sandwiches, are a staple of Danish cuisine. Here are two classic toppings of beef and smoked salmon with remoulade sauce. Easy and delicious!
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I am very lucky to have travelled a lot throughout my life and love going to new places both to see and experience the sights but also the food. Of course it helps growing up in Europe where other countries are not that far away, but even now we manage to get around not too badly (in fact, we’re away right now – more on this trip will come in due course!).
Now that I am writing this blog, traveling takes on an extra dimension of looking for inspiration of foodie things to recreate. Although despite getting a few ideas, I have been a bit slow in sharing much from our trip to Malaysia and Denmark in the summer. In fact Denmark hasn’t even had a look in, so it seemed about time to change that with these classic smørrebrød, or Danish open [faced] sandwiches as you might know them, served with Danish remoulade.
What are Danish smørrebrød (open sandwiches)?
One of the things we liked the most about these when we were in Denmark was getting a few and sharing them, so it seemed only right to give more than one option. Plus, I couldn’t decide which I most wanted to make. Smørrebrød are core to Danish cuisine, being a traditional lunch option.
They are also being picked up in what is dubbed ‘new Nordic’ or ‘new Danish’ cooking with some twists on the classic toppings. We had some great meals in Denmark on our few days there, both a few smørrebrød lunches and some other tasty dishes both in restaurants and made by the friends we were visiting.
Making or sourcing rye bread
Rye bread is a core component of many meals, as you can see in these smørrebrød, but it’s sadly not that easy to get hold of here, or even in the UK when I was there. Yes you can get rye bread, but not Danish-style, so for these I made my own with this recipe that I found, which worked well. My only change was using loaf pans as I didn’t have the proper bread tin – I got two loaves rather than one large, and reduced the cooking time by about 15min to compensate.
I would highly recommend making or getting some Danish-style rye bread if you can for these. If you can’t make/get Danish then German pumpernickel is the closest alternative, but failing that another good bread would work. My sourdough rye bread would be good, too, even if less traditional.
Remoulade: part of a love of pickles
Danish love their pickles almost as much as rye bread and most smørrebrød will see a pickle of some kind in there somewhere. Pickles are also a key component to Danish remoulade which is a classic sauce served with many smørrebrød and other dishes, especially fish.
Remoulade is kind of like a Danish tartare sauce. Recipes vary greatly, but pretty much all start with mayonnaise as a base then have some form of pickle or sweet relish in there, often some other vegetables and/or herbs and something to make it slightly yellow – usually either a little curry powder or hard boiled egg yolk. I have made my own variation on the theme as I have described below which is nice and easy to make.
How to make Danish smørrebrød (open sandwiches)
Putting together smørrebrød is really easy. Smørrebrød means buttered bread and that’s the base for all versions, then you top it as you wish with anything from meat to fish to salads. I have gone for two classics here, roast beef and smoked salmon, both topped with remoulade.
In case you are interested, the roast beef version is often also topped with some crispy fried onions – these do taste great if you feel like making them but it also works well without (and is quicker), as I have here.
While these are most typically eaten for lunch, they also make great appetizers. You can make them even more fitting by cutting the bread up a bit to make smaller bites. They are then kind of like the Danish answer to bruschetta (but the bread is better for you!). These ones have lovely contrasting colors if you are thinking about the aesthetics.
Whatever your reason to make them, smørrebrød are delicious, easy to prepare and fun to play around with different toppings. Whether that’s classic ones like these or whatever you come up with. Either way, give them a try and enjoy.
Try these other Scandinavian dishes:
- Swedish cheesecake
- Salmon gravlax
- Langoustines with herbed cream
- Plus get more Scandinavian/Nordic recipes in the archives.
Danish smørrebrød (open sandwiches) with remoulade
Ingredients
- 4 slices Danish rye bread if available, or closest equivalent (eg pumpernickel)
- 1/2 tbsp butter approx
- 8 slices smoked salmon approx, depending on size
- 8 slices roast beef approx, depending on size
For the remoulade
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise 4tbsp
- 1 tbsp cornichons finely chopped (pickled cucumber)
- 1 tsp capers roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp mustard Dijon
- 1/8 tsp curry powder
To top (optional)
- a few cornichons
- a few slices of lemon
- fresh parsley
Instructions
- Lightly butter the slices of rye bread then lay the smoked salmon on half and roast beef on the the other half of the slices. If you are making appetizers, then cut the pieces of bread into approx 4 pieces each. Cut the salmon and beef accordingly to fit.
- Mix together all the ingredients for the remoulade (mayonnaise, pickled cucumbers/cornichons, capers, parsley, lemon juice, mustard and curry powder). Spoon a little on top of each slice then top with some slices of cornichon and/or lemon and parsley as you wish.
Notes
Nutrition
See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline’s Cooking Amazon store.
Like pickles? Try these other ideas:
- Cuban Sliders by Making Miracles
- Dill Pickle Hummus by From Gate to Plate
- Easy Pickled Sweet Peppers by Cherishing a Sweet Life
- Pickled Brussels Sprouts by Our Good Life
- Pickled Peppers by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Quick Pickled Beet Salad by Food Lust People Love
- Southern Fried Pickles by The Freshman Cook
- Zupa Orgokowa (Dill Pickle Soup) by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Kavita Favelle says
I love smørrebrød, it’s all about combining the right kinds of bread, toppings, pickles and other garnishes! Always delicious! We have a Scandi store and deli in central London where I’ve had some lovely smørrebrød!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, and I agree! These are relatively traditional but there are so many options on toppings.
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
What a great lunch option. I love open sandwiches, this looks so incredibly delicious
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, they are indeed!
Danielle says
This reminds me of all the delicious food I ate in Copenhagen. I must try to make it at home.
Caroline's Cooking says
I’m glad it brings back tasty memories, we had some great food there as well. They’re great to try at home too!
Valentina says
I love rye bread and it looks especially tasty with these pretty toppings. What a lovely spread that makes!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, these toppings work so well on rye. Agree they’d be great for a party with the lovely colors.
Tara says
Denmark has delicious food and I love open face sandwiches! Great recipe
Caroline's Cooking says
I agree, and these are a delicious introduction as well.
Kaila (GF Life 24/7) says
This pot has the perfect timing for me because I’m heading to Denmark for the first time next week! Your pictures are beautiful, and I love the dish as well. All the colors are so inviting. Happy FF, and have a delightful weekend! 😀
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Kaila, that’s very kind and have fun in Denmark!
Naina says
I live in Copenhagen, so have eaten more smørrebrød than I can count 😀 They are delicious, aren’t they? I love both the options you have here, and I love adding fried onions on the roast beef one. Delicious 🙂
Caroline's Cooking says
I can imagine, Naina! Thanks I agree these are both tasty.
Jhuls says
I love open sandwiches. Maybe because I am a monster when it comes to spreads. These look fantastic, Caroline. Thank you for sharing. 🙂 xx
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Jhuls, they are really tasty.
Teri@The Freshman Cook says
Oh my, the bread, the beef, the salmon, the sauce~it all sounds so wonderful!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Teri, it’s simple but very tasty!
Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm says
I have two Danish children, well adults now, who came to me as exchange students. My daughter,especially loved the dark pumpernickel bread and complained often that we didn’t have “real” bread here. I wish I would have had your bread recipe back then.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Wendy, the bread is very different and I can really see how you would miss it if you were used to it. It works so well in this dish too.
Stacy says
What a beautiful plate of open sandwiches! I know they are supposed to be lunch but they’d also make great appetizers.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Stacy, yes when cut up a bit smaller they make great appetizers.
Darlene says
My exchange student from Denmark said eating the Danish sandwiches is so good and he does love pickles, everyday while here eating dill pickles. Your post was perfect to him and he hopes everyone will try them. A great selection by you. Thanks!!! He said the bread will be hard to find here in PA but we will try to find a dark bread and he can make them to share with his American friends.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Darlene, good luck finding some bread and I hope his friends like them!
Christine says
First, your photos truly are beautiful! Second, how delicious your smorrebord look! Thank you for sharing your wonderful photos of Denmark, and for the choices, It is really hard to choose between roast beef or smoked salmon!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Christine, that’s very kind! And I agree it’s hard to choose (which is why I had both 🙂 )
Rebekah @ Making Miracles says
These sound lovely! What a fantastic lunch option.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Rebekah!