Russian Herring Salad
A vibrant Russian herring salad combining smoky fish, boiled potatoes, crisp apples, beets, and fresh vegetables, perfect for festive gatherings or hearty appetizers.
Ingredients
- 2 jars (8 oz. each) herring in wine sauce, drained and chopped ⓘ
- 3 lb. potatoes, cooked, peeled and diced
- 2 tart apples, peeled, cored and diced ⓘ
- 1 (1 lb.) can diced beets, drained ⓘ
- 2 dill pickles, diced ⓘ
- 1 cucumber, peeled and diced
- 4 hard-cooked eggs, chopped ⓘ
- 1/2 pint sour cream ⓘ
- 2 tbsp. yellow mustard ⓘ
- salt and pepper ⓘ
- lettuce leaves ⓘ
- hard-cooked egg slices ⓘ
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the drained and chopped herring, cooked and diced potatoes, peeled and diced apples, drained diced beets, diced dill pickles, peeled and diced cucumber, chopped hard-cooked eggs, sour cream, and mustard.
- Stir until well blended. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Line a salad bowl with lettuce leaves and spoon in the salad mixture.
- Garnish with slices of hard-cooked eggs.
- Chill until ready to serve.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier texture, consider adding a bit more sour cream or using Greek yogurt as a substitute. If herring isn't available, smoked salmon can be a flavorful alternative. Diced celery can add a nice crunch if you want to enhance the salad's texture. This dish is great for gatherings, so make it ahead of time to let the flavors meld.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this herring salad on a bed of fresh lettuce leaves for a beautiful presentation. It pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or low calorie bread pudding for a hearty meal. Consider adding a side of pickled vegetables or a light vinaigrette salad to complement the rich flavors of the herring.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to develop, making it even more delicious the next day. Avoid freezing as the texture of the vegetables may change. To enjoy, simply serve cold straight from the fridge.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Russian Herring Salad contains roughly 1073 calories, with 18g protein, 181g carbohydrates, and 32g fat. It is an excellent source of potassium (58% of the Daily Value), protein (35% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (35% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1663mg per serving (72% of the Daily Value).
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 make this salad in advance?
Yes, this salad can be made a day ahead. In fact, it often tastes better after sitting in the fridge for a few hours or overnight, allowing the flavors to blend beautifully. Just be sure to keep it covered to maintain freshness.
What can I substitute for herring?
If herring is not available, you can use smoked salmon or even canned tuna as a substitute. The flavor will change, but it will still be a delicious salad. Adjust the seasoning accordingly to complement the new protein.
Can I add other vegetables to the salad?
Absolutely! Feel free to incorporate other vegetables like diced bell peppers or grated carrots for added color and crunch. Just keep in mind the balance of flavors so that they complement the rest of the ingredients.
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).