When diving into Danish culture, one of the delights you’ll encounter is the cuisine. Whether you’re studying Danish for a trip or just for fun, learning food and cooking terms can be incredibly useful—and delicious! Here’s a guide to some essential Danish vocabulary related to food and cooking.

Måltid
Måltid means “meal.” It is a general term used for any main eating occasion such as breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Hvornår er vores næste måltid?

Råvarer
Råvarer refers to “raw materials,” commonly used to describe fresh produce or ingredients that are used in cooking.
Jeg køber altid friske råvarer når jeg laver aftensmad.

Køkken
Køkken means “kitchen.” This is the place where the magic of cooking happens!
Hun tilbringer meget tid i køkkenet.

Opskrift
Opskrift is the word for “recipe.” It’s the set of instructions you follow to create a delicious dish.
Kan du give mig opskriften på denne kage?

Ingredienser
The ingredients going into a recipe are termed Ingredienser.
Kan du tjekke om vi har alle ingredienserne til lasagnen?

Madlavning
Madlavning directly translates to “cooking,” the process of preparing food.
Jeg synes madlavning er meget terapeutisk.

At bage
At bage means “to bake,” a cooking method that involves cooking food in an oven.
I weekenden skal vi bage småkager sammen.

Smag
Smag denotes the “taste” or “flavor” of food, an essential aspect of Danish cuisine.
Denne ret har en meget interessant smag.

Steg
Steg refers to a “roast,” typically a piece of meat cooked in the oven or over an open fire.
Vi har steg til middag på søndag.

Morgenmad
Morgenmad is the first meal of the day, known as “breakfast” in English.
Hvad vil du gerne have til morgenmad?

Frokost
Frokost, usually referred to as “lunch,” is the midday meal.
Skal vi mødes og tage frokost sammen?

Aftensmad
Aftensmad, or “dinner,” is the main meal eaten in the evening.
Hvad skal vi have til aftensmad?

Dessert
Dessert is a sweet course that concludes an evening meal.
Har du gemt plads til dessert?

Vegetar
A person who does not eat meat is known as a Vegetar in Danish, just like “vegetarian” in English.
Min søster er vegetar, så vi bør lave en vegetarisk ret.

Krydderier
Krydderier means “spices.” They add flavor and aroma to dishes.
Jeg elsker at eksperimentere med forskellige krydderier i mine retter.

Sovs
Sovs is the word for “sauce,” a thickened liquid served with food.
Mormors sovs er altid den bedste.

By familiarizing yourself with these words, you’re not only boosting your Danish vocabulary, but you’re also getting closer to the heart of Danish culinary traditions. Whether you’re reading a Danish menu or trying out recipes, knowing these terms will enhance your experience and your appreciation for the delightful world of Danish food and cooking. Velbekomme! (Enjoy your meal!)