15 Easy Ways to Salt Herring at Home

Source: Chudo2307, AdobeStock

On one hand, salting herring at home is very simple and anyone can do it. But on the other hand, even here there are nuances and secrets. We've gathered 15 of the most interesting recipes for you – from the simplest classics to much more original variations!

1. Salted Herring in Brine – Classic Recipe

Source: wjtoday.ru

This method is best suited for whole fish.

Preparation time: 2 days.
Servings: 4.

• 2 herrings
• 1 liter of water
• 2 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 4 bay leaves
• 1 tbsp spices to taste

1. You don't have to gut the herring, but be sure to remove the gills and rinse the fish thoroughly. Pat it dry with paper towels.
2. Bring water to a boil. Add sugar, salt, and all spices, and simmer for 3 minutes.
3. Place the herring in a plastic or enameled container.
4. Pour the brine over the fish so that it completely covers them.
5. Leave the herring at room temperature for 3 hours, then refrigerate for 2 days.

2. Dry-Cured Herring

Source: street-foods.ru

Another classic recipe that differs in that it doesn't require brine.

Preparation time: 2 days.
Servings: 4.

• 2 herrings
• 2 tsp sugar
• 2 tbsp salt
• 1 tsp ground black pepper

1. Rinse the herring. Remove the head and guts, then pat the fish dry.
2. Mix sugar, salt, and pepper, and rub the fish all over with this mixture.
3. Wrap each fish separately in plastic wrap.
4. Refrigerate the herring for 2 days.

3. Salted Herring with Allspice and Cloves

Source: pro-orehi.ru

A simple set of spices transforms ordinary herring into spiced salted herring.

Preparation time: 2 days.
Servings: 4.

• 2 herrings
• 160 g salt
• 6 allspice berries
• 4 clove buds
• 2 star anise pods
• 1 tsp mixed peppercorns
• 3 bay leaves
• 35 g sugar
• 1 pinch chili flakes
• 1 liter of water

1. Rinse and pat dry the herring, remove the gills, and place the fish in a container.
2. Boil water, add all spices, salt, and sugar, and simmer the brine for 4-5 minutes over medium heat.
3. Let the brine cool completely and pour it over the herring. If it doesn't cover them completely, place a weight on top.
4. Refrigerate the herring for 2 days to cure.

Appetizers

8 Ways to Make Goat Cheese at Home

4. Freshly Frozen Herring in Pieces

Source: topcheff.ru

It is advisable to choose fatty fish for a juicier result.

Preparation time: 1 day.
Servings: 2.

• 1 herring
• 2 tbsp salt
• 3 allspice berries
• 500 ml water
• 2 bay leaves
• 0.5 tbsp sugar
• 5 peppercorns

1. Thaw and clean the fish. Remove the tail, head, and guts. Rinse and pat dry with paper towels.
2. Cut the herring into pieces about 2 cm thick.
3. Boil water, add all spices, simmer for 2 minutes, and cool the brine.
4. Tightly pack the herring pieces into a jar, pour in the brine, and close the lid.
5. Refrigerate for one day.

5. Salted Herring with Dry Mustard

Source: attuale.ru

If you have mustard powder on hand, then this recipe is perfect for such an occasion!

Preparation time: 2 days.
Servings: 4.

• 2 herrings
• 1 liter of water
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 3 tbsp salt
• 1.5 tbsp mustard powder
• 6 bay leaves
• 12 black peppercorns

1. Rinse the herring and soak it in water for half an hour.
2. Remove the gills and pat the fish dry with paper towels.
3. Boil water and add all spices except mustard.
4. Simmer the brine for 3 minutes and let it cool completely.
5. Place the herring in a container, sprinkle with mustard, and pour in the brine.
6. Place a small weight on top and leave the fish at room temperature for 2 hours.
7. Refrigerate the herring for 2 days.

6. Salted Herring with Onion

Source: grodno24.com

For this recipe, it's best to cut the herring into pieces right away.

Preparation time: 1 day.
Servings: 2.

• 1 herring
• 1 onion
• 700 ml water
• 3 tbsp salt
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp 9% vinegar
• 2 bay leaves
• 8 black peppercorns

1. Clean and prepare the fish, then cut it into pieces 1.5-2 cm thick.
2. Dissolve salt in 500 ml of water. Pour over the herring pieces and leave for 1.5 hours. Then drain the water.
3. Slice the onion into rings and mix with the herring and all spices.
4. In the remaining water, dilute the vinegar and pour it in. After the vinegar, add the oil.
5. Cover the preparation with a lid and refrigerate for one day.

Appetizers

Kefir Cheese: 10 Easy Homemade Recipes

7. Salted Herring in Vegetable Oil

Source: dzen.ru

This is a foolproof recipe for salting tender herring in pieces!

Preparation time: 2 days.
Servings: 4.

• 2 herrings
• 2 onions
• 12 tbsp vegetable oil
• 6 tbsp salt

1. Clean, rinse, and pat dry the herring. Cut it into pieces.
2. Slice the onion into thin rings.
3. Layer the herring and onion in jars, sprinkling each layer with salt.
4. Pour in the vegetable oil, close the jar, and refrigerate for 1.5-2 days.

8. Salted Herring in Vinegar

Source: ecopeak.ru

Ordinary table vinegar is enough – it will still be very tasty.

Preparation time: 1 day.
Servings: 2.

• 1 herring
• 500 ml water
• 2 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 5 peppercorns
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 clove buds
• 4 tbsp vinegar

1. Wash the herring, remove the gills, and pat the fish dry with paper towels. Place it in a container.
2. Boil water and add all spices except vinegar. Simmer the brine for 4 minutes and let it cool completely.
3. Add vinegar to the brine, stir, and pour over the herring.
4. Refrigerate for one day.

9. Salted Herring with Lemon

Source: kitchendecorium.ru

The finished herring turns out incredibly aromatic with bright citrus notes.

Preparation time: 1 day.
Servings: 2.

• 1 herring
• 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 5 bay leaves
• 15 allspice berries

1. Clean the herring, rinse, and cut into pieces. Slice the lemon into thin rounds.
2. Mix salt, sugar, pepper, and crushed bay leaf.
3. Layer the fish with lemon in a container. Sprinkle the layers with the spice mixture.
4. Place a weight on top and refrigerate the herring for one day.
5. If you want it saltier, stir and leave for another day.

Appetizers

How to Salt Pink Salmon Roe: 10 Easy Homemade Recipes

10. Salted Herring with Cinnamon

Source: rybimperial.company.site

Another original salted herring recipe when you want some variety!

Preparation time: 2-3 days.
Servings: 4.

• 800 g herring
• 1 liter of water
• 10 g peppercorns
• 4 clove buds
• 4 allspice berries
• 1 tsp coriander
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 0.5 tsp nutmeg
• 1 pinch dried mint
• 2 pinches chili flakes
• 25 g sugar
• 80 g salt

1. Rinse the herring and pat dry with paper towels.
2. Mix all the salt and sugar, and separately mix all the spices and crushed bay leaf. Add a couple of spoons of salt and sugar to the spices.
3. Rub the herring with the spices, place in a container, and leave for 2-3 hours under plastic wrap on the counter.
4. Boil water with the remaining salt and sugar and let the brine cool to room temperature.
5. Pour the brine over the fish and leave under a weight for 2-3 days in a cool place.

11. Lightly Salted Herring in Pieces, Quick Method

Source: kleo.ru

If you want to salt the fish more, just leave it longer.

Preparation time: 1 day.
Servings: 4.

• 2 herrings
• 1 liter of water
• 100 g salt

1. Clean and gut the fish, cut it into pieces, and pack tightly into a jar.
2. Dissolve salt in cold boiled water.
3. Pour the brine over the herring so that it completely covers it.
4. Close the container and refrigerate the herring for one day.

12. Herring Fillet in Oil

Source: kartinkin.net

You can salt herring not only in pieces or whole, but also as fillets.

Preparation time: 2 days.
Servings: 4.

• 700 g herring fillet
• 5 tbsp salt
• 6 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 onions

1. Rub the herring fillet with salt.
2. Slice the onion into rings.
3. Layer onion, herring, then onion again, and then fillet in a container.
4. Pour oil over everything, cover with a lid, and leave for 1-2 days in the refrigerator.

Appetizers

How to Salt Trout: 12 Delicious Homemade Recipes

13. Dutch-Style Salted Herring

Source: pro-orehi.ru

A ready-made appetizer that can be served immediately, even for a festive table.

Preparation time: 2 days.
Servings: 6.

• 2 herrings
• 1 carrot
• 2 onions
• 10 bay leaves
• 10 black peppercorns
• 1 lemon
• 6 tbsp sugar
• 3 tbsp salt

1. Slice the onion into rings, the lemon into rounds, and grate the carrot.
2. Fillet the herring. Layer the fish, vegetables, and lemon in a glass container or jar.
3. Layer with pepper and bay leaf, and sprinkle with a mixture of salt and sugar.
4. Cover everything with a lid and refrigerate the herring for 2 days.

14. Herring in Tea Marinade

Source: youtube.com

You definitely need natural loose-leaf tea, not tea bags.

Preparation time: 1 day.
Servings: 6.

• 1 kg herring
• 1 liter of water
• 1 tbsp black tea
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 3 tbsp salt
• 3 bay leaves
• 5 allspice berries
• 10 black peppercorns
• 2 clove buds
• 0.5 tsp coriander

1. Boil water with tea leaves. Add salt, sugar, and all spices, and simmer for 4-5 minutes.
2. Cool and strain the brine.
3. Gut and clean the herring, cut it into pieces, and place in a container.
4. Pour the brine over the herring, cover with a lid, and refrigerate for 12-24 hours.

15. Quick-Cured Herring

Source: activefisher.net

Just a couple of hours, and this herring is ready to eat!

Preparation time: 2 hours.
Servings: 2.

• 1 herring
• 1 onion
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 bunch dill
• 500 ml water
• 2 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp vinegar
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil

1. Fillet the herring and finely chop the dill.
2. Dissolve sugar and salt in hot water, let the brine cool, and pour it over the herring.
3. Add dill and bay leaf to the brine.
4. Drain the brine after 1.5 hours, and add chopped onion to the fish.
5. Pour in the oil with vinegar and let it infuse for at least another half hour.