Marinuota Silkė (Lithuanian Marinated Herring with Onions)
Local name: Marinuota silkė
In short: Salt-cured herring fillets soaked, then marinated with sliced onion, oil, vinegar and dill, served with hot boiled potatoes and dark rye. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 8 h
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 230 kcal
Marinated herring is a fixture of Lithuanian tables, from everyday lunches to the Christmas Eve supper. The fillets of salt-cured herring are soaked to draw out the salt, then layered with onion, sunflower oil, vinegar and dill and left to mellow for a few hours. Served with hot boiled potatoes and dark rye bread, it is a simple, sharp-and-rich starter. The herring should taste lightly salty, not harsh, so taste a piece after soaking.
Instructions
- Cut the herring fillets into 3 cm (1 1/4 in) pieces. Soak them in cold water in the fridge for 4 to 6 hours, changing the water once. Taste a piece: it should be lightly salty, so soak longer if it is not.
- Drain the herring and pat it dry with paper towels.
- Whisk the oil, vinegar and sugar together and add the peppercorns and bay leaves.
- Layer the herring, onion rings and dill in a glass jar or dish. Pour the oil mixture over so everything is coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight. Serve cold with hot boiled potatoes and rye bread.
Tips
- Buy ready-to-eat, salt-cured or pickled herring fillets from a trusted source. Fresh raw herring should be frozen at -20°C (-4°F) for at least 7 days before use.
- Soaking the fillets in milk instead of water gives a milder, creamier flavor. Keep the herring refrigerated and eat it within 4 days.
Questions and answers
How long does marinated herring keep?
In a covered jar in the fridge, up to 4 days. Keep the fish submerged in the oil and onion mixture, and always use a clean fork.
Can I use jarred herring in wine sauce?
Yes, as a shortcut. Drain it, rinse lightly and dress it with sliced onion, oil and dill. Skip the extra vinegar and sugar.
What do you serve with marinated herring?
Hot boiled potatoes, dark rye bread, sour cream and extra raw onion. At Christmas Eve it is part of a meatless spread with mushrooms and beets.
How long does it take to make Marinuota Silkė (Lithuanian Marinated Herring with Onions)?
About 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Marinuota Silkė (Lithuanian Marinated Herring with Onions)?
About 230 kcal per serving, with 11 g of protein, 3 g of carbohydrates and 19 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 230 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 11 g |
| Carbohydrates | 3 g |
| Fat | 19 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 900 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
