Savory Smørrebrød with Pickled Herring
A classic Danish open-faced sandwich featuring briny pickled herring atop rye bread with fresh dill and sour cream. This danish-inspired quick meals ready in about 15 minutes pairs rye bread slices, ounces pickled herring fillets, sour cream for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 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.
Ingredients
- 4 rye bread slices
- 8 ounces pickled herring fillets
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 2 lemon wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 4 rye bread slices on a serving plate.
- Step 2: Pat pickled herring fillets dry with paper towels, then arrange evenly over each bread slice.
- Step 3: Mix sour cream with 1 tablespoon of fresh dill and spread 1 tablespoon over each herring slice.
- Step 4: Top with 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion and sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon dill.
- Step 5: Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Savory Smørrebrød with Pickled Herring take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 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 Savory Smørrebrød with Pickled Herring?
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 rye bread slices from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Savory Smørrebrød with Pickled Herring?
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 Savory Smørrebrød with Pickled Herring 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 Savory Smørrebrød with Pickled Herring?
Danish quick meals 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
A perfect quick meal that felt special. The pickled herring and capers were a great combination.
- ★★★★★
Loved the authentic flavors. Made it for my family and they all raved about it. Simple and delicious!
- ★★★★★
This smørrebrød was a delightful taste of Denmark! The pickled herring was perfectly tangy and the rye bread held up beautifully.
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