Pickled Herring Isn't Gross, You're Just Eating It Wrong

Pickled herring usually gets ignored because people assume it’ll taste fishy or the texture will be weird. But it’s cheap, convenient, and requires zero cooking. It can save dinner when you’re tired or short on ideas.

A gray plate with herring fillets in creamy white sauce garnished with chopped green onions, served alongside three boiled potatoes topped with fresh dill. — Photo credit: Shutterstock.

If you’re already a fan, you’ve probably eaten it straight from the jar with rye bread, sour cream, or onions. But it can do a lot more than that. Dice it and stir into potato or egg salad — it gives a salty kick without any extra work. It also goes well with boiled potatoes, cucumbers, and beets. You don’t need much to add noticeable flavor, so it lasts a while and stretches your grocery budget further.

If you haven’t tried pickled herring or think you don’t like it, you’re probably skipping right past it. But it’s actually pretty similar to canned fish. The vinegar and onion flavors are strong straight from the jar, but they tone down quickly once you add them to other foods. Try mixing it into pasta salad or spreading it over cream cheese on crackers. A small amount is all it takes.

Breakfast

Pickled herring might seem weird at breakfast, but it’s similar to putting smoked salmon on a bagel. It’s salty, tangy, and can give you some quick protein without cooking from scratch. One simple way to ease into it is mixing small amounts into scrambled eggs or adding it to an omelet. Potatoes, spinach, or mild cheeses pair especially well because they mellow out the stronger flavors of the fish. The eggs also help mask the vinegar and onion if those tastes are too strong for you.

If eggs aren’t your favorite, you can still keep it easy and practical. Spread cream cheese on rye toast or a toasted bagel and add sliced cucumbers for some crunch, followed by pieces of pickled herring. Dill, chives, or even thinly sliced red onions balance it out nicely. The bread and cream cheese neutralize the strong flavors, making it less intimidating if you’re new to this type of fish.

Another useful tip is to drain the pickled herring briefly before you use it. Letting some of the vinegar drip off helps tone down the sharpness and makes it more versatile, especially in the morning when strong flavors might feel overwhelming.

Lunch

Pickled herring works best at lunch when combined with ingredients that tone down its strong flavor. Potato salad is a good place to start because the potatoes absorb the vinegar taste. Add diced pickled herring to a basic potato salad along with celery, chopped onion, fresh dill, and mayonnaise. You can also mix in boiled eggs or chopped apples for extra texture.

If you prefer sandwiches, rye or dense whole-grain breads hold up best to the moisture. Spread cream cheese thinly on the bread, then add pickled herring, sliced cucumber, lettuce, thinly sliced onion, and tomato. Fresh herbs such as dill or chives help balance out the vinegar.

Another easy lunch idea is a pasta salad made with pickled herring. Use pasta, such as macaroni, rotini, or penne, and mix in ingredients like cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber or pickles, red onion, and herring pieces. Toss lightly in a creamy dressing or mild vinaigrette. The pasta and fresh vegetables make the herring flavor milder.

A blue plate with pasta salad topped with red onion slices, dill, tomatoes, and pieces of fish. Slices of whole grain bread are in the background on a wooden surface, with a blue glass and checkered cloth nearby. — Photo credit: Shutterstock.

Finally, pickled herring can be used as a protein addition to grain bowls. Layer brown rice or quinoa in a bowl, then top with pickled herring, avocado slices, shredded carrots, greens, and a drizzle of mild dressing. The combination makes the fish less noticeable but still adds protein.

Dinner

Pickled herring is one of those foods you either love or skip entirely, but it’s surprisingly useful for quick dinners, especially when you’re low on energy or ideas. Because it’s already cooked and seasoned, you get instant protein without turning on the stove. The strong vinegar flavor might be overwhelming on its own, so pairing it with milder ingredients makes sense.

Potatoes are always reliable here — boiled or roasted works well. Add something simple like steamed green beans, broccoli, or carrots on the side. These mellow vegetables help balance the sharpness from the vinegar and onions. A spoonful of sour cream is another useful addition because the dairy softens the tang, creating a more rounded dish.

If you want something even easier, grain-based meals are practical and filling. Cooked quinoa, rice, or couscous mix easily with pickled herring. Toss in crunchy veggies like cucumbers, bell peppers, and shredded carrots for texture. Mild greens like baby spinach or arugula add freshness without overpowering the dish. Finish with a little olive oil and lemon juice to tie everything together.

Warm meals are also doable. Try adding pickled herring into a quick vegetable sauté at the last minute — just enough to warm it through. Zucchini, spinach, potatoes, or onions work best because they absorb flavor rather than compete with it. Serve over rice or noodles, and you’ve got an uncomplicated dinner ready fast.

Snack time

Pickled herring is easy to use as a snack. The simplest option is to put it directly onto crackers or rye bread with cream cheese or sliced cucumbers. Fresh dill, chives, or thinly sliced red onions add flavor and texture without extra effort.

An open-faced sandwich on dark bread topped with pickled herring, red onion rings, pickles, microgreens, and peppercorns, on a wooden board with other assorted sandwiches in the background. — Photo credit: Shutterstock.

If you’re looking for something different, make quick lettuce wraps by placing small pieces of pickled herring in crisp lettuce leaves along with diced tomatoes, avocado slices, and a squeeze of lemon. The lettuce helps reduce the vinegar taste, and the avocado adds balance.

For another easy snack, mix diced pickled herring into softened cream cheese to make a dip or spread. Add chopped herbs or finely diced cucumber, and serve with crackers, crispbread, or vegetables, like celery sticks and carrots.

Pickled herring brands to try

If you’re new to buying pickled herring, brand choice can make a difference. Here are three trusted options that people keep recommending:

Blue Hill Bay

This is a common first pick if you’re unsure. The herring comes packed in a mild, sweet vinegar-based wine sauce, meaning the vinegar taste won’t overwhelm. It’s easier to mix into recipes since the flavor isn’t too aggressive. Good if strong fishiness usually turns you off.

Abba Seafood

A reliable Swedish brand found in many grocery stores. Abba makes several varieties, including dill and mustard-flavored herrings. It’s a solid choice if you prefer traditional European-style pickled herring or want to try something authentic and straightforward.

Olsen Fish Company

Olsen’s pickled herring is handmade in smaller batches. It feels more like something you’d get from a deli or specialty market, not mass-produced. Good if you’re looking for a higher-quality, less generic option. It’s also kosher-certified.

IKEA

If you have access to IKEA, their dill-flavored pickled herring often surprises people. It’s affordable and easy to find, another good entry-level option. Vita cream-style pickled herring also has loyal fans and can be found widely in grocery stores, especially if you prefer a milder taste.

Pickled herring fits into more meals than you think

Pickled herring isn’t something most people reach for first, but it can be easier to use than expected. The trick is combining it with everyday ingredients that balance out the vinegar taste. Instead of thinking of it as pickled fish, treat it like canned tuna or smoked salmon. It’s ready to use, affordable and adds easy protein to your usual meals.