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Danish Rice Porridge (Risengrød)

A warm and creamy Danish Rice Porridge classic that’s comforting, budget-friendly, and perfect with cinnamon sugar and a pat of butter.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Danish, Nordic, Scandinavian
Keyword: Danish Christmas Food, Danish Rice Porridge, Holiday Recipes, One Pot Recipes, Risengrød, Scandinavian Food
Servings: 2
Calories: 660kcal

Ingredients

  • 250 ml water
  • 200 g short-grain rice (I use arborio)
  • 1 litre whole milk
  • 0.5 tsp salt

Instructions

  • Bring the Water to a Boil and Add the Rice
    Add 250 ml water to a heavy-bottomed pot and bring it to a boil. Pour in the 200 g short-grain rice and give it a quick stir. Once it returns to a boil, reduce the heat to medium (around 5 on a scale from 1–9).
  • Let the Rice Absorb the Water
    Let the rice simmer in the water for 5 minutes, stirring often, until it has absorbed all the liquid. This part is important — keep stirring so nothing sticks or burns.
  • Add the Milk and Reduce the Heat
    Pour in the 1 litre of whole milk and bring the porridge back to a gentle boil while stirring. When it starts to bubble, lower the heat to low (around 3, or 2 if your stove runs hot).
  • Simmer Until Creamy
    Let the porridge simmer for 30–35 minutes, stirring regularly so it cooks evenly and becomes creamy. The low heat helps prevent burning, but it still appreciates your attention.
  • Finish with Salt and Serve
    When the rice is soft and the porridge is thick and creamy, season with ½ teaspoon salt and give it a final stir.
    Serve warm with cinnamon sugar and a pat of butter, or let it cool and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Notes

Rice: Arborio is my go-to, but any short- or medium-grain rice with a high starch content will work well. Avoid basmati or jasmine — they won’t give the same creamy texture.
Heat: Keep the heat low once the milk is added. It helps prevent burning and gives the porridge its classic creaminess.
Stirring: Give the porridge a stir every few minutes to keep it from sticking and to help it cook evenly.
Reheating: Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave with a little extra milk to loosen it back up.
US Measurements:
  • Water: 1 cup
  • Rice: 1 cup + 2 tbsp arborio rice
  • Whole milk: 4 cups
  • Salt: ¼ tsp