Rosolje (Estonian Beet and Herring Salad)
In short: A bright pink salad of beets, potatoes, pickles, apple and herring with boiled egg, bound with sour cream and chilled before serving. It takes about 1 h 40 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 40 min
- Cook
- 1 h
- Resting
- 3 h
- Total
- 1 h 40 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 265 kcal
Rosolje is the pink salad on every Estonian holiday table, served at Christmas, New Year and midsummer gatherings. Cooked beets, potatoes and carrots are diced with pickles, tart apple and salty herring, then bound with a tangy sour cream dressing. The flavors blend as it chills, so it is best made a day ahead. Add the beets last, and toss them in a little oil first so they do not stain everything.
Instructions
- Boil the beets in their skins for 45 to 60 minutes, until a knife slides in easily. Boil the potatoes and carrots in a separate pot for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool everything completely, ideally overnight.
- Peel the beets, potatoes and carrots and cut them into 1 cm (1/2 in) cubes. Keep the beets in a separate bowl and toss them with the oil.
- In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, carrots, pickled cucumbers, apples, onion, herring and chopped eggs.
- Whisk the sour cream with the pickle brine, sugar, salt and pepper.
- Fold the beets into the salad, then fold in the dressing. Taste and adjust the salt.
- Cover and chill for at least 2 hours. Serve cold, topped with slices of the extra egg.
Tips
- If your herring is very salty, soak the fillets in cold water for 1 hour, drain and pat dry before dicing. Check for stray bones.
- For a fish-free version, replace the herring with extra pickles and a spoonful of capers.
Questions and answers
What is rosolje?
An Estonian salad of cooked beets, potatoes, carrots, pickles, apple, herring and egg in a sour cream dressing. It is bright pink, served cold, and is a Christmas and New Year staple.
Can I make rosolje ahead of time?
Yes, a day ahead is ideal. Keep it covered in the fridge for up to 3 days and stir gently before serving.
Is there a version of rosolje without fish?
Yes. Many families leave out the herring or use diced smoked sausage instead. It is also good with extra pickles.
How long does it take to make Rosolje (Estonian Beet and Herring Salad)?
About 1 h 40 min in total: 40 min of preparation and 1 h of cooking.
How many calories are in Rosolje (Estonian Beet and Herring Salad)?
About 265 kcal per serving, with 9 g of protein, 26 g of carbohydrates and 14 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 265 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 26 g |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Sodium | 600 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
