Śledzie w Śmietanie
Herring in Sour Cream
A classic Polish appetizer, Śledzie w Śmietanie features salt herring fillets marinated in a creamy, slightly sweet, and tangy sauce with onions and apples. It's a traditional and beloved dish, especially for Christmas Eve (Wigilia) and other celebrations.
🧂 Ingredients
- 400g Salt herring fillets (matias)(Look for 'matias' or 'salty herring fillets' in brine. If using very salty herring, you may need to soak longer.)
- Enough to cover Milk or cold water(For soaking the herring.)
- 200ml Full-fat sour cream(A good quality, thick sour cream will yield the best results.)
- 1 large Yellow onion(A sweet yellow onion is preferred for its mild flavor.)
- 1 medium Tart apple(Such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, to provide a refreshing crunch and slight tartness.)
- 1/2 tsp Freshly ground white pepper(Adjust to taste. White pepper offers a subtle heat without visible flecks.)
- 2 tbsp, chopped Fresh dill (optional)(For garnish and added freshness.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the herring: Place the salt herring fillets in a bowl and cover them completely with milk or cold water. Refrigerate and soak overnight (approximately 12-16 hours). This process draws out excess salt and softens the fish.
⏱️ 12-16 hours - 2
Drain and prepare the herring: Drain the herring thoroughly. Gently pat the fillets dry with paper towels. Cut the herring into bite-sized pieces, about 2-3 cm (1 inch) wide. Set aside.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 3
Prepare the aromatics: Peel the onion and slice it into very thin rings or half-rings. If the onion is particularly pungent, you can rinse the slices under cold water and drain well, or briefly blanch them to mellow the flavor. Peel, core, and dice the apple into small, ¼-inch pieces.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Combine the ingredients: In a medium bowl, gently combine the herring pieces, sliced onion, and diced apple. Sprinkle evenly with the white pepper.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 5
Add the dressing: Add the sour cream to the bowl. Gently fold everything together until the herring, onion, and apple are evenly coated in the sour cream. Be careful not to break up the herring too much.
⏱️ 3 minutes - 6
Chill and serve: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld. The longer it chills, the better the flavors develop. Serve cold, garnished with fresh chopped dill if desired.
⏱️ Minimum 4 hours
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓This dish is a quintessential part of Wigilia (Polish Christmas Eve) and is often one of many traditional dishes served.
- ✓The flavors deepen and improve significantly if the dish is allowed to marinate for a full 24 hours in the refrigerator.
- ✓For a smoother sauce, you can blend the sour cream with a tablespoon of mustard before adding it to the herring mixture.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add finely chopped fresh dill to the sour cream mixture for extra freshness.
- Incorporate a tablespoon of Dijon or Polish mustard into the sour cream for a sharper flavor.
- For a lighter version, use a mix of sour cream and plain yogurt, though the flavor will be less traditional.