Danish · Lunch & handhelds

Smørrebrød with smoked salmon

Name: Smørrebrød with smoked salmon
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 open sandwiches
Cuisine: Danish
Ingredients: 2 large eggs; 1/3 cup crème fraîche; 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish, drained; 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice; 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 4 slices dense Danish rye or pumpernickel, each about 1/2 inch thick; 2 tablespoons salted butter, softened; 8 ounces cold-smoked salmon; 4 radishes, sliced paper-thin; 1 tablespoon capers, drained; 1/4 cup fresh dill fronds; 1 lemon, cut into wedges

Danish-style buttered rye spread with lemony horseradish cream, folded smoked salmon, jammy hard-cooked egg, radish, capers, and dill.

About 45 minTotal

About 30 minActive

$$$Cost

EasyDifficulty

Makes 4 open sandwiches

Equipment

Any lidded pot of at least two quarts works; a very large pot loses heat faster.
Best value
Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 2-quart Saucepan
View at Amazon
Built for frequent use
All-Clad D3 2-quart Saucier with Lid
View at All-Clad
Another workable path: Any lidded pot of at least two quarts works; a very large pot loses heat faster.
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How we chose
Research-backed · reviewed Aug 2026
We compared two-quart stainless pans for even heat, pouring, lid fit, handle behavior, induction compatibility, durability, and value. Independent side-by-side testing informed the tier distinction; manufacturer specifications established construction and care. Kwilt has not made this soup in these pans.
Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 2-quart Saucepan: The responsive tri-ply construction and two-quart size suit a small soup while remaining useful for grains and sauces. Trade-off: Its conventional corners hold onto food more than a rounded saucier, and the finish is less refined than the All-Clad.
All-Clad D3 2-quart Saucier with Lid: The fully bonded body and rounded base make stirring and pouring easy while the lid holds a small soup warm. Trade-off: Its premium price is difficult to justify for an occasional soup if a basic lidded saucepan already covers the job.
Another workable path: Any lidded pot that comfortably holds at least two quarts works. Avoid an oversized pot if possible; the shallow soup loses heat faster while you finish the omelet.
Sources
The Kitchn saucepan comparison
Cuisinart exact model listing
All-Clad D3 product details

Ingredients

1× recipe · Makes 4 open sandwiches

2 large eggs
1/3 cup crème fraîche
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish, drained
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 slices dense Danish rye or pumpernickel, each about 1/2 inch thick
2 tablespoons salted butter, softened
8 ounces cold-smoked salmon
4 radishes, sliced paper-thin
1 tablespoon capers, drained
1/4 cup fresh dill fronds
1 lemon, cut into wedges

Instructions

Lower eggs into and cook 10 minutes. Transfer to ice water for 5 minutes, peel, and cut each into four wedges.
Mix crème fraîche, horseradish, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Pat the capers and radish dry so they do not dilute the spread.
Spread each rye slice edge to edge with softened butter, then a thin layer of horseradish cream. Arrange salmon in loose folds rather than pressing it flat.
Nest two egg wedges and the radish onto each slice. Scatter with capers and dill, and serve immediately with lemon wedges and a knife and fork.

DenmarkDanish smørrebrød cooking

From the table

About this recipe

Smørrebrød is composed Danish open-faced bread built on buttered rugbrød and eaten with cutlery; butter provides flavor and protects the dense rye from wet toppings.

Smørrebrød is composed Danish open-faced bread, traditionally built on buttered rugbrød and eaten with cutlery. Smoked-salmon garnishes vary; horseradish, dill, lemon, radish, capers, and egg recur across modern versions. Butter is both flavor and a moisture barrier. This Kwilt version follows the reviewed household adaptation: Use a restrained Danish-style composition with recurring smoked-salmon garnishes, retaining the buttered rugbrød foundation and cutlery service rather than turning it into a closed deli sandwich.

Sources

Dinner does not stop at the recipe