10 herring recipes to give you a taste of the sea. 2026

Ellen Lindercamp
10 herring recipes to give you a taste of the sea. - Walfosbrand.com
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If you're a fan of fish and seafood, you're probably already familiar with herring. This fish from temperate, shallow waters is small and oily, but it's delicious both hot and cold. So, check out the following herring recipes to enjoy all the flavor of this ingredient.

1. Herring with onions

Ingredients

  • 4 cleaned herring fillets
  • 3 onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1/2 cup of white wine vinegar
  • 1 cup of olive oil
  • White pepper to taste
  • Pink peppercorns to taste

Preparation method

  • Place the fillets in a bowl of cold water for about 12 hours, changing the water occasionally.
  • Next, drain the fillets and cut them into small pieces;
  • In a serving dish, place the fillets, onions, bay leaf, vinegar, olive oil, and peppers;
  • Let it marinate in the refrigerator for 3 hours;
  • Serve cold.
  • 2. Breaded herring

    Ingredients

    • 2 herring fillets
    • 100 g of onion
    • 50 g of white wine
    • Herbs to taste
    • Flour for breading
    • 1 lemon
    • Salt to taste
    • Pepper to taste

    Preparation method

  • Cut the fillets into four square pieces and place them in a bowl;
  • Add lemon juice, salt, pepper, and the herbs of your choice to marinate;
  • Heat a frying pan and add the chopped onion to fry;
  • Add salt, pepper, white wine and wait for it to evaporate;
  • Set the fried onions aside in another bowl and take the herring fillets;
  • Coat them in flour, place them in a hot skillet, and let them brown on both sides.
  • Serve with the onions.
  • 3. Marinated herring

    Ingredients

    • 500 g of herring cured in brine
    • 2 cups of fresh heavy cream
    • 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar
    • 1/2 teaspoon of sugar
    • 1 green apple with peel
    • 2 sliced ​​onions

    Preparation method

  • Place the fish on a cutting board and, if necessary, remove the bones;
  • Next, in a bowl, leave the herring in cold water for 30 minutes, changing the water twice and repeating the process;
  • Dry the fish with a clean dish towel and cut it into small pieces;
  • In a bowl, place the heavy cream and beat briefly until thickened;
  • Add vinegar and sugar, mix well, and set aside;
  • Cut the apple into thin slices and discard the core;
  • Add the apple to the bowl with the cream, mix again, and add the thinly sliced ​​onion;
  • Take a serving dish, place half of the mixture in it, arrange the fish on top, and cover with the remaining cream.
  • Leave in the refrigerator for about 2 hours and serve cold.
  • 4. Herring with potatoes

    Ingredients

    • 600 g of potatoes
    • 300 g of smoked herring
    • 50 g of raisins
    • 2 onions, chopped into slices
    • Extra virgin olive oil
    • Mustard
    • Dill branches
    • Vinegar
    • Salt to taste

    Preparation method

  • Cook the potatoes with their skins on for about 30 minutes, then peel and slice them thinly;
  • In a bowl, add olive oil, salt, vinegar, and mustard, and mix with a fork until you obtain a sauce-like consistency.
  • Remove the bones from the herring, cut it into small pieces, and add the potatoes and onion;
  • Let it sit at room temperature for about 1 hour;
  • On a plate, place the fish with the potatoes, onion, raisins, dill, and drizzle with some of the seasoned mustard;
  • Serve
  • 5. Smoked herring with pumpkin and beetroot puree

    Ingredients

    • 200 g of butternut squash
    • 1 tablespoon of oil
    • 1 cup of pickled beets
    • 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
    • Smoked herring fillets

    Preparation method

  • Start by cutting the pumpkin into four rectangular shapes;
  • In a frying pan, bring 1/2 cup of water to a boil and cook the pumpkin until tender;
  • Drain the water, add a little oil, and let the pumpkin brown.
  • Place the beets in a food processor with the lemon juice and process until you obtain a puree;
  • On a plate, place the purée, the pumpkin, the herring fillet with a drizzle of olive oil, and serve.
  • 6. Baked herring in beer sauce

    Ingredients

    • 4 herring fillets
    • 1/2 thick top-fermented beer
    • 200 ml of cream
    • 2 gems
    • 1 teaspoon of mustard
    • Lemon juice to taste
    • Salt to taste
    • Pepper to taste
    • Drops of Worcestershire sauce

    Preparation method

  • In a bowl, mix well the cream, mustard, beer, salt, pepper, lemon juice, egg yolks and drops of Worcestershire sauce;
  • In a greased baking dish, arrange the herring fillets and drizzle with the sauce from the first step;
  • If you like, add grated cheese on top;
  • Bake at 190 degrees until golden brown and serve.
  • 7. Smoked herring paste

    Ingredients

    • 1 smoked herring fillet
    • 60 g of cream cheese
    • 80 ml of fresh cream
    • 1 tablespoon of brandy
    • 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 bay leaf
    • Salt to taste
    • Pepper to taste

    Preparation method

  • In a saucepan, heat 500 ml of water and bring to a boil with the bay leaf;
  • Pour this water over the herring fillet and let it sit for 5 minutes;
  • Cut the fish into pieces, place in a food processor and add the remaining ingredients;
  • Process until it becomes a paste and serve with bread.
  • 8. Pasta with herring and dill sauce

    Ingredients

    • 1 jar of herring fillets preserved in vinegar with onion and spices
    • 75g of large pickled cucumbers, drained and cut into thin strips.
    • 1 red onion, thinly sliced
    • 4 tomatoes, diced
    • 1 tablespoon of mild French mustard
    • 4 tablespoons of apple juice
    • 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh dill
    • 340g of orecchiette pasta
    • Salt to taste
    • Pepper to taste

    Preparation method

  • In a bowl, place the herring cut into thin strips with the cucumber, half the onion, and the tomato;
  • In another bowl, mix the mustard, apple juice, olive oil, dill, and spices, then pour this sauce over the herring and set aside.
  • Cook the pasta until al dente;
  • Pour the pasta into a serving dish and add the herring sauce;
  • Mix well, add the remaining onion, and serve.
  • 9. Smoked herring salad with leaves

    Ingredients

    • 10 herring fillets
    • 16 small potatoes
    • 3 tablespoons of Dijon mustard
    • 3 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
    • 1 packet of sweetener
    • Salt to taste
    • American lettuce to taste
    • Curly lettuce to taste
    • Arugula to taste
    • Watercress to taste
    • 16 boiled quail eggs
    • 1/2 cup of chopped parsley

    Preparation method

  • Cut the herring fillets into small pieces and marinate them with spices and olive oil;
  • Cook the small potatoes in salted water;
  • In a bowl, mix mustard, vinegar, sweetener, and salt to make a sauce;
  • In a salad bowl, add the washed lettuce leaves, potatoes, herring, quail eggs, drizzle with the dressing, and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
  • Serve the salad.
  • 10. Smoked herring salad with walnuts

    Ingredients

    • 3 smoked herrings
    • 200g of cooked ham
    • 3 chopped pickled cucumbers
    • 1 cup of cooked and grated beetroot
    • 1 cup of finely chopped apple
    • 1 cup of cooked and finely chopped potato
    • 2 tablespoons of finely chopped walnuts
    • 2 tablespoons of chopped green onions
    • 1 cup of mayonnaise
    • 1 cup of sour cream with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
    • 2 tablespoons of capers
    • Salt to taste
    • Pepper to taste
    • Drops of lemon juice

    Preparation method

  • In a bowl, place the herring in cold water for a few hours, changing the water twice;
  • Remove the skin and bones from the fish and chop it into small pieces;
  • Cut the ham and add it to the herring;
  • Add the cucumbers, beetroot, apple, potato, walnuts, scallions, mayonnaise, sour cream, and capers as well, mixing well;
  • Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice;
  • Mix everything together, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • There are many ways to incorporate herring into your menu. But if you want to make it even more flavorful, check out our recipes for seasoning and fish sauces .



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    Author

    Ellen Lindercamp

    As a former restaurant owner switched reporter, Ellen brings a unique perspective to Walfos. With decades of experience, her articles on cooking and homemaking are both informative and engaging, reflecting her deep knowledge and love for all things culinary.



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