Open-Faced Rye Sandwich with Pickled Herring and Dill

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

A traditional Danish smørrebrød featuring tangy pickled herring atop buttered rye bread, accented with fresh dill and crisp onions. This Mediterranean-inspired sandwich and wrap recipe, ready in about 10 minutes, pairs dense rye bread, unsalted butter, pickled herring fillets for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 230 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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: 10 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 230 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Lay 4 slices of dense rye bread on a clean surface and spread each evenly with 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter, letting it soften the bread.
  2. Step 2: Arrange 1.5 oz pickled herring fillets on each buttered slice, distributing evenly.
  3. Step 3: Scatter thinly sliced rings from 1 small red onion over the herring to add a sharp crunch.
  4. Step 4: Garnish each sandwich with 1 tbsp capers and a fresh dill sprig for herbaceous brightness.
  5. Step 5: Serve open-faced with 2 lemon wedges on the side to squeeze over the top for an acidic pop.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Open-Faced Rye Sandwich with Pickled Herring and Dill take to make?

Total time is about 10 minutes (10 min prep + 0 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 Open-Faced Rye Sandwich with Pickled Herring and Dill?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Open-Faced Rye Sandwich with Pickled Herring and Dill?

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 Open-Faced Rye Sandwich with Pickled Herring and Dill 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 Open-Faced Rye Sandwich with Pickled Herring and Dill?

Mediterranean sandwiches & wraps 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.

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