Northern-Style Pickled Herring Salad with Rye Croutons

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A traditional northern-inspired salad blending tender pickled herring with crisp rye croutons and fresh herbs for a tangy, textured dish. This northern european-inspired salads ready in about 27 minutes pairs small, thinly sliced Red onion, medium, diced Dill pickles, chopped Fresh dill into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Northern European cuisine 280 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Toss 1/2-inch rye bread cubes (from 4 slices) with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until golden and crisp, stirring halfway through.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 8 oz chopped pickled herring fillets, 1 small thinly sliced red onion, 2 diced dill pickles, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill.
  3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, and 1 tbsp lemon juice until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Pour the dressing over the herring mixture and toss gently to coat evenly.
  5. Step 5: Just before serving, fold in the rye croutons for crunch and serve immediately.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Northern-Style Pickled Herring Salad with Rye Croutons take to make?

Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Northern-Style Pickled Herring Salad with Rye Croutons?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep medium, diced dill pickles from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Northern-Style Pickled Herring Salad with Rye Croutons?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Northern-Style Pickled Herring Salad with Rye Croutons for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Northern-Style Pickled Herring Salad with Rye Croutons?

Northern European salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes