Pickled Herring Salad

Prep: 20 min Serves: 4 Cuisine: Eastern European

A tangy and creamy pickled herring salad with crisp apples, potatoes, and eggs, perfect for appetizers or light meals for those who enjoy bold flavors.

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Ingredients

  • 12 oz. jar pickled herring in cream sauce
  • 2 large boiled potatoes, cooled, peeled and diced
  • 2 red apples, cored and diced with skins left on
  • 2 Tbsp. pickle relish
  • 2 Tbsp. vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. sugar
  • lettuce leaves
  • 6 slices pickled beets
  • 4 hard-boiled eggs in wedges

Instructions

  1. Dice the pickled herring into very small pieces.
  2. Combine the diced herring and its cream sauce with the diced potatoes, apples, pickle relish, vinegar, and sugar.
  3. Mix well and chill the mixture for 2 hours to allow flavors to meld.
  4. Arrange lettuce leaves on serving plates.
  5. Spoon the chilled salad onto the lettuce.
  6. Decorate with slices of pickled beets and wedges of hard-boiled eggs.

Tips & Substitutions

For a creamier texture, consider adding a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt to the salad mix. If herring isn't available, smoked salmon can be a delicious substitute. For a bit of crunch, add chopped celery or nuts, and feel free to adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of sugar. This dish pairs beautifully with Red Cabbage In Red Wine.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this vibrant salad as a light lunch or a delightful appetizer. It pairs well with crusty bread or crackers for added texture. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside Nalesniki - Crepes filled with cheese or vegetables. Garnishing with fresh herbs like dill can enhance the presentation and flavor.

Storage & Reheating

Leftover Pickled Herring Salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to meld, making it even tastier. To serve leftovers, there’s no need to reheat; simply enjoy it chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Pickled Herring Salad contains roughly 533 calories, with 7g protein, 85g carbohydrates, and 18g fat. It is an excellent source of potassium (36% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (33% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (29% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and iron. It also contributes 9g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.

533 kcal 27% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 7.2g 14% DV
Total Fat 18.5g 24% DV
Carbs 85.2g 31% DV
Fiber 9.3g 33% DV
Sugar 14.3g 29% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 255.1mg 11% DV
Potassium 1695.8mg 36% DV
Cholesterol 3.5mg 1% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 7.1mcg 1% DV
Vitamin C 26.5mg 29% DV
Vitamin D 0mcg
Calcium 41.8mg 3% DV
Iron 2.3mg 13% DV
Diet fit High-fiber
Contains Milk Egg

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh herring instead of pickled?

Using fresh herring is possible, but it will require marinating in a brine or pickling solution to achieve the desired flavor. This can be a time-consuming process, so for convenience, stick with pickled herring for this recipe.

How can I make this salad more tangy?

To increase the tanginess, you could add extra vinegar or incorporate some lemon juice into the mix. Additionally, consider using a sharper pickle relish or adding capers for an extra punch of flavor.

Is this salad suitable for meal prep?

Yes, this salad is great for meal prep! Make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Just be sure to keep the lettuce separate until serving to maintain its crispness and freshness.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

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