Śledź w Śmietanie
Herring in Sour Cream
A classic Polish Christmas Eve (Wigilia) appetizer featuring tender salt herring fillets marinated in a creamy sour cream sauce with fresh onions and crisp apples. This dish is a staple for a reason – it's simple, refreshing, and utterly delicious.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 fillets Salt herring fillets
- 300 ml Full-fat sour cream
- 1 medium Yellow onion
- 1 medium Crisp apple
- 1/2 bunch Fresh dill
- to taste Black pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Rinse the salt herring fillets under cold running water to remove excess salt. Place them in a bowl and cover with cold water. Refrigerate and soak for at least 8 hours, or preferably overnight. This process desalinates the herring, making it palatable. Drain the herring and pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels.
⏱️ Overnight (8-12 hours) - 2
Prepare the aromatics and fruit. Peel the onion and slice it very thinly into half-moons. If the onion is particularly pungent, you can rinse the slices under cold water for a minute and then pat dry, or soak them in cold water for 10 minutes before draining. Core the apple and dice it into small, ¼-inch (approx. 0.5 cm) cubes. Aim for pieces that are similar in size to the herring chunks.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 3
Cut the herring fillets into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch (approx. 2.5 cm) squares or diamonds. Place the herring pieces in a medium bowl.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Add the thinly sliced onion and diced apple to the bowl with the herring. Gently toss to combine.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 5
Pour the sour cream over the herring, onion, and apple mixture. Add freshly ground black pepper to taste. Gently fold everything together until the herring and vegetables are evenly coated in the sour cream. Be careful not to overmix, which can break down the herring too much.
⏱️ 3 minutes - 6
Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the dish to chill thoroughly. The longer it chills, the better the flavors will develop.
⏱️ Minimum 30 minutes chilling - 7
Before serving, finely chop the fresh dill. Garnish the Śledź w Śmietanie generously with the chopped dill. Serve chilled.
⏱️ 2 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓This dish is a cornerstone of the traditional Polish Christmas Eve (Wigilia) feast, where it's often one of many fish dishes served.
- ✓Proper soaking is crucial to remove excess salt from the herring. Taste a small piece after soaking to ensure it's not too salty before proceeding.
- ✓For a smoother sauce, you can blend the sour cream with a tablespoon of prepared horseradish or a touch of Dijon mustard.
- ✓Serve with crusty rye bread or boiled potatoes for a complete appetizer experience.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Śledź w oleju (Herring in Oil): Instead of sour cream, marinate the herring with oil, vinegar, onions, and spices.
- Śledź z musztardą (Herring with Mustard): Add a tablespoon or two of Dijon or whole-grain mustard to the sour cream mixture for a tangy kick.
- Add capers or chopped hard-boiled eggs to the mixture for added texture and flavor.