German Herring Salad
4 servings
40 minutes
German herring salad is a refined dish of German cuisine that combines traditional flavors with the rich aroma of smoked lard and a tangy dressing. Historically, this salad was popular in the northern regions of Germany where herring played an important role in the diet. Its taste is a harmony of salty fish, tender potatoes, refreshing apples, and pickled cucumbers, complemented by sharp wine vinegar and spicy mustard. Eggs add creaminess to the dish while herbs finish the composition with fresh notes. This salad is perfect as an appetizer on a festive table or as a standalone dish in everyday menus. It pairs wonderfully with rye bread and light white wines, creating an authentic gastronomic impression of German cuisine.
1
Carefully clean the herring from bones and break it into small pieces.
- Herring: 250 g
2
Slice the bacon thinly and fry it over high heat.
- Lard (back fat): 100 g
3
Boil the potatoes and slice them.
- Potato: 2 pieces
4
Peel the apples and cut them into strips.
- Apple: 1 piece
5
Grate boiled eggs and pickled cucumbers on a coarse grater.
- Chicken egg: 2 pieces
- Marinated cucumbers: 2 pieces
6
Mix the ingredients and dress the salad with the sauce. To prepare the sauce, mix vegetable oil with mustard and vinegar. Add grated onion, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle the salad with chopped greens.
- Vegetable oil: 3 tablespoons
- Mustard: 1 teaspoon
- White wine vinegar: 1 tablespoon
- Onion: 1 head
- Salt: to taste
- Ground black pepper: to taste
- Fresh herbs: 1 bunch
