Danish Lemon Herring with Dill
A bright and zesty preparation of pickled herring, marinated in a tangy lemon and dill dressing. This dish is a refreshing appetizer or light meal, often served with crisp rye bread or boiled potatoes, embodying the fresh flavors of Danish coastal cuisine.
🧂 Ingredients
- 400 g Pickled herring fillets(drained, preferably in brine or mild vinegar)
- 1 small Red onion(thinly sliced)
- 0.5 cup Fresh dill(chopped)
- 1 large Lemon(zest and juice)
- 150 ml Sour cream or crème fraîche
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 0.25 tsp White pepper(freshly ground)
- to taste Salt
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Pat the drained pickled herring fillets dry with paper towels. If the fillets are large, cut them into bite-sized pieces.
💡 Tip: Using herring in brine or a mild vinegar will yield a cleaner flavor profile for the dressing. - 2
In a medium bowl, combine the thinly sliced red onion and chopped fresh dill.
💡 Tip: Ensure the onion is sliced very thinly to soften nicely in the dressing. - 3
In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon zest, lemon juice, sour cream (or crème fraîche), Dijon mustard, and white pepper until smooth.
- 4
Gently fold the herring pieces into the onion and dill mixture.
💡 Tip: Be gentle to avoid breaking the herring apart too much. - 5
Pour the lemon-dill dressing over the herring and onion mixture. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.
💡 Tip: Ensure all ingredients are well combined. - 6
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. The longer it marinates, the more pronounced the flavors will be.
⏱️ 30 minutes💡 Tip: This dish is best served chilled. - 7
Serve the lemon herring as an appetizer or light meal, accompanied by slices of dark rye bread, boiled new potatoes, or a simple green salad.
💡 Tip: Garnish with extra fresh dill sprigs before serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The quality of the pickled herring is crucial; choose a good brand.
- ✓If you don't have red onion, a sweet white onion can be used, but soak it in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow its bite.
- ✓This dish can be made a day in advance, as the flavors deepen overnight.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a tablespoon of capers for a briny kick.
- Incorporate finely chopped chives along with the dill.
- For a creamier dressing, use a higher ratio of sour cream to lemon juice.