There are some truly great Danish cookbooks; a few are classics, a few are more modern, but all of them highlight a particular aspect of Denmark’s varied food culture. Almanak and Frøken Jensens Kogebog in particular have their place on almost every Danish bookshelf, providing accessible recipes on every Danish dish, from soup to dessert.
These are the cookbooks that showcase the best of Danish traditional and New Nordic cuisine:
Almanak
First published in 2010, this massive index of recipes comes straight from the godfather of New Nordic, Claus Meyer. This isn’t a fancy book though; it’s all about classic Danish recipes from A-Z. No images, just simple break-downs of how to get a flavorful dish.
Frøken Jensens Kogebog
With over 1000 traditional Danish recipes, this comprehensive book has been considered seminal to Danish cuisine since it was first published in 1901. Almost every Dane has a copy and it definitely comes out around Christmas and Easter!
A Work in Progress: Journal, Recipes and Snapshots
This beautiful three-part book contains a personal journal written over one year by noma head chef and founder Rene Redzepi, a book of snapshots, and of course, a book of new recipes. As wonderful to flip through for inspiration as it is to actually cook, A Work in Progress highlights the experimental and seasonal nature of Redzepi’s work with its calendar format.
Fermentering
Enjoy the foods you love in any season by learning to pickle them! This gorgeously-photographed book has a host of great ideas for what and how to ferment your favorite food items, as well as ideas for how to use them (other than just eating them out of the jar, which works too).
Scandinavian Christmas
You could buy this book for the pictures alone, which are swoon-worthy. But if you want to know how to host a proper Danish Christmas, hygge and all, this book has you covered. That it can inspire you in terms of decor and table setting in addition to recipes is a major bonus.
Grundkøkken
As useful for recipes as it is for cooking tips and techniques, this book by renown Danish chefs Nicolaj Kirk & Mikkel Maarbjerg has fast become a favorite in Danish kitchens. With an easy approach to family meals, this is a great book for both beginner and advanced cooks alike.
Did we leave your favorite Danish cookbook off the list? Tell us about it in the comments!