Updated on August 26th, 2026
Brændende Kærlighed (translated to burning love) is a traditional Danish dish of mashed potatoes topped with fried bacon and onions. For a vegetarian alternative, I will share a recipe using mushrooms as an alternative to bacon.
Vegetarian Danish Brændende Kærlighed (Mashed Potatoes and Mushrooms) Recipe
4
servings45
minutesIngredients
- Mashed Potatoes
1.5 kilos / 3 pounds of potatoes
50 grams / 1/4 cup of butter
1 deciliter / 1/2 cup of milk
Salt
Pepper
- Mushrooms and Onions
2 onions
350 grams / 12 ounces of mushrooms
50 grams / 1/4 cup of butter
1 tablespoon of soy sauce
Salt
Pepper
Paprika
- Topping
Parsley
Chives
Pickled beets
Directions
- Mashed Potatoes
- Peel the potatoes
- Cut the peeled potatoes into chunks and place them in a large pot
- Cover the potatoes with salted water
- Bring the pot of potatoes to a boil
- Boil the potatoes for 25 minutes. The potatoes should be tender, and a fork can easily go through them
- Drain the water from the pot
- Mash the potatoes with a potato masher, fork, or hand mixer
- Add the butter, milk, salt, and pepper to the mashed potatoes and mix together
- Mushrooms and Onions
- Peel and cut the onions in half and then into thin slices
- Place the butter and sliced onions in a pan on medium heat
- Cook the onions for 10 minutes
- While the onions are frying, wash and cut the mushrooms into slices
- Add mushrooms to the pan with the onions
- Add the soy sauce, salt, pepper, and paprika to the mushrooms and onions
- Cook the mushrooms and onions for an additional 10 minutes
- Topping
- Assemble the Brændende Kærlighed by placing the mashed potatoes onto a plate
- Top the mashed potatoes with the mushrooms and onions
- Add parsley, chives, and chopped pickled beets on top
- Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you substitute the mushrooms?
Yes, you can. For other vegetarian options, you can use roasted chickpeas, carrots, sweet potato, pumpkin, Jerusalem artichokes, broccoli, cauliflower, tofu, or a vegetarian meat alternative.
Can you make the recipe vegan?
Yes, the recipe can easily be made vegan. You will just need to substitute the butter and milk in the mashed potatoes with plant-based alternatives. Furthermore, the onions are fried in butter, but you can replace the butter with oil such as olive oil or canola oil.
How long does Brændende Kærlighed last in the fridge?
The food will last around 3 days in the fridge when stored in an airtight container.
Can you freeze the dish?
Yes, you can freeze the dish, but I recommend freezing the mashed potatoes separately from the mushrooms and onions. Also, ensure the food is stored in a sealable container and thaw the food in the fridge before reheating.
What sides can you serve with Brændende Kærlighed?
Brændende Kærlighed goes well with vegetable sides such as roasted asparagus, peas, green beans, brussels sprouts, or broccoli. I have also seen the dish served with rugbrød (rye bread) slices.
For more Danish recipes, you can check out my post on The Best Vegetarian Danish Recipes.
Oh my gosh, this sounds absolutely delicious! I have to give the recipe a try, sounds like a a good meal for the Autumn/winter 😊
Thank you so much! It is perfect for the colder months!
This looks like the perfect comfort dish for the colder months. I’d love to give this a try. Thanks for sharing!
It is perfect for the colder months, and you’re welcome!
Thanks for sharing. It looks very tasty!
Thank you! It is delicious!
I haven’t heard of this dish before but it sounds good.
It is delicious!
This looks like a great vegetarian recipe and dish! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Thank you! It is delicious!
Absolutely I would try this – fluffy mashed potato and delicious mushrooms, what’s not to love – yum!