Pickled Herring with Onion and Vinegar
Very simple, very tasty, very easy - perfect for a celebration! Homemade pickled herring with onion and vinegar is incredibly quick and easy. Make it ahead and serve as a standalone appetizer or use it in a salad. Delicious!
Updated : 09 January, 2026
Easy
More than 1 hour.
Ingredients
400 grams
Herring
100 milliliters
Vinegar
300 milliliters
Water
2
Onion
Table
Table of volume measurements:
- teaspoon - 5 ml
- dessert spoon - 10 ml
- tablespoon - 20 ml
- glass - 200 ml
Preparation
Step 1
How do you marinate herring with onion and vinegar? Prepare the necessary ingredients. For ready-salted herring, cut off the head and remove the innards. Slice it lengthwise in half, remove the backbone and large bones, and peel off the skin. You can adjust the amount of onion to taste, but there should be plenty - pickled onions are delicious too.
Step 2
Cut the cleaned herring fillets into serving pieces - no need to cut too large; 1-2 inches (3-5 cm) is enough. Place the herring in a bowl for marinating. Use glassware - it’s easier to wash later. Plastic can hold the smell of onion and fish for a long time.
Step 3
Use 9% vinegar for marinating. Mix it with water in a 1:3 ratio. Do not replace vinegar with vinegar essence! You can, however, substitute grape or apple vinegar (they add a distinctive aroma).
Step 4
Peel the onion and rinse it under cold running water. Slice into half-rings and gently squeeze it with your hands. This helps the onion soften and release juice faster.
Step 5
Mix the onion with the herring and pour over the water-and-vinegar mixture. For extra aroma, add a few peppercorns and a bay leaf. Marinate the herring in the refrigerator for 5-6 hours.
Step 6
Remove the tasty, aromatic pickled herring from the marinade, arrange on a platter, and serve. You can drizzle with a little vegetable oil. Enjoy!
Author note
Share the recipe
