New research shows that Danes are eating just as little vegetarian food as they did ten years ago, and when they do skip meat, the dishes tend to be more beige than green.
Vegetarian Meals Remain Rare in Denmark
A new study from Madkulturen, a knowledge and change institution under the Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries, reveals that Danes’ eating habits have hardly changed over the past decade. Despite growing awareness of climate issues, most people still include meat in their daily meals, and vegetarian dishes are mostly quick or simple solutions rather than varied or vegetable-rich meals.
The nationwide survey, “Madkultur25,” asked more than 2,000 Danes about their cooking habits, opinions, and frequency of meat-free meals. The findings show that vegetarian food often comes in the form of rugbrød open sandwiches, pasta dishes, or toast, not elaborate vegetable-based dishes that one might expect in a diet shift away from meat. These results suggest that the traditional Danish emphasis on convenience and bread-based meals remains strong.
Top Five Vegetarian Dishes in Danish Homes
When Danes do eat vegetarian, it is rarely with vibrant vegetables on the plate. The five most common vegetarian evening meals are:
1. Rye bread with toppings
2. Sandwiches or toast
3. Pasta dishes
4. Cold fruit soup, yogurt, or similar light meals
5. Pizza
Together, these dishes make up about half of all vegetarian dinners eaten in Danish homes. Even though the exact rankings may vary slightly, the list paints a clear picture of a diet built on simple and familiar items rather than plant-based innovation.
Traditional foods like smørrebrød and other Danish classics still play a central role, even when the meal is meat-free. Convenience clearly beats creativity for most households, especially during weeknight dinners.
Meat Still Dominates the Danish Plate
According to the report, three out of four dinners in Denmark still include meat. The study also reveals that interest in eating for the sake of the climate has decreased. In 2022, 21 percent of Danes said they were highly willing to change their eating habits for environmental reasons. In 2025, that number dropped to 16 percent.
This decline shows that other concerns, such as taste, price, and habits, outweigh climate goals when Danes choose what to eat. Many people also see vegetarian dishes as repetitive or nutritionally insufficient. Four in ten Danes believe that food without meat cannot fully satisfy their nutritional needs, a perception that researchers are trying to challenge.
Quick Meals and Familiar Flavors
Half of all meat-free dinners are prepared in less than 15 minutes, and they are often eaten alone. That pattern suggests these dishes are viewed as casual, individual meals rather than shared dinners. Instead of carefully planned plant-based recipes, they tend to be quick fixes like rye bread with toppings or simple pasta with sauce.
Given Denmark’s long traditions of open-faced sandwiches, it is not surprising that many vegetarian meals consist of versions of these easy staples, similar to those found in many Danish homes and grocery stores. For anyone shopping locally, supermarkets across the country carry the basic ingredients for such dishes, as highlighted in guides like Denmark’s best grocery stores for newcomers.
Why Danes Stick to What They Know
Several factors help explain why vegetarian cooking has not taken off despite attention to sustainability. Many Danes report that they find cooking without meat challenging or less satisfying. For most, it is not about rejecting vegetarianism but rather about convenience and habit. Substituting meat with vegetables feels like extra work, and many prefer adjusting portion sizes instead of learning new recipes.
In other words, eating less meat in Denmark is still more about tweaking old favorites than adopting new ones. Simply making a smaller portion of meatballs or swapping ground beef for pasta with tomato sauce fits more naturally into existing routines.
Despite the slow change, experts believe there is potential for gradual progress. By introducing more vegetables into familiar dishes, households could reduce meat consumption without drastically changing their diets.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: What Food Is Denmark Famous For? 12 Traditional Danish Foods
The Danish Dream: Best Grocery Stores in Denmark for Foreigners
DR: Vi spiser lige så lidt vegetarisk som for ti år siden: her er de vegetarretter vi alligevel spiser mest
