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Fish, Classics and bistro fare

Herring and potato salad in oil

Herring and potato salad in oil is a bistro dish made of marinated smoked herring fillets served with warm potatoes, for 4 people. It takes 45 minutes and is very easy to make, at a cost of €2.40 per serving. The key is letting the fish marinate long enough to turn tender and soak up the dressing's flavor.

Here's the classic bistro dish from northern France, marinated herring in oil with warm potatoes, simple and full of flavor.

Herring and potato salad in oil
Total time
45 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€2.40
Calories per person
540 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall

Smoked herring has a bold, slightly salty taste that wakes up your palate, softened here by a marinade of oil, vinegar, and mustard. Red onion and carrot add crunch and color, while bay leaf and pink peppercorns bring fragrance without overpowering the fish. This is a dish with real character, nothing like a bland weeknight standby.

It's the kind of meal you can put together on a weeknight without much thought, since it barely needs any watching. Warm potatoes soaking up the marinade are what make this dish so appealing, and it's easy to pull off for a family dinner or a casual meal with friends. At Mon Chou, we love this classic for how generous it is without any fuss.

The ingredients

4 people

Fish counter

  • Mild smoked herring fillets 8

Fruits and vegetables

  • Potatoes 900 g
  • Red onions 2
  • Carrots 2
  • Parsley 4 sprigs

Pantry

  • Sunflower oiloften in the pantry 15 cl
  • Vinegaroften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Mustardoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Bay leavesoften in the pantry 2
  • Pink peppercornsoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Fish, Mustard

The step by step recipe

  1. Cut the herring fillets into strips and place them in a dish with the sliced red onions and thinly sliced carrots.

    Rinse the fillets in cold water if they taste very salty.

  2. Whisk the oil with the vinegar, mustard, bay leaves, pink peppercorns, and pepper, then pour over the herring.

    The mustard binds the marinade, so it won't separate.

  3. Let it marinate in the refrigerator, turning occasionally. 30 min

    The longer it marinates, the more tender the herring becomes.

  4. Cook the peeled potatoes in salted water until tender. 20 min

    Keep them warm, they soak up the oil better that way.

  5. Serve the warm potatoes with the herring and its marinade, sprinkled with parsley.

    Lightly crush the potatoes so they soak up the juices.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick mild smoked herring rather than a very salty one, since the marinade already seasons the fish and you don't want an overly sharp dish.
  • Slice the carrots really thin so they soak up the marinade just as well as the herring does.
  • Serve the dish in one large shallow bowl rather than individual plates, so everyone can help themselves and mix it to taste.

The variations

  • Swap the regular vinegar for cider vinegar, which gives the marinade a rounder, softer edge.
  • Use baby potatoes instead of regular potatoes for a nicer presentation when serving guests.
  • For a quicker version, use store-bought marinated herring and focus your effort on the potatoes and fresh parsley.

What to serve it with

  • Rye bread or country bread
  • Salted butter for spreading
  • A glass of dry white wine

Storage

Keep the herring in its marinade in the refrigerator, in a sealed container, for 2 to 3 days at most. This dish doesn't freeze well, marinated herring loses its texture once thawed. Serve it cold or at room temperature, there's no need to reheat it.

Questions about this dish

Can you make herring and potato salad ahead of time?

Yes, and it's actually a good idea. Marinate the herring the day before, it turns out even more tender and flavorful. Cook the potatoes the same day you plan to serve so they're still warm.

Can you use a different fish instead of smoked herring?

Smoked mackerel works well as a substitute, with a similar texture and flavor. Avoid very firm fish, since they don't soak up the marinade as well.

Do you need to rinse the herring fillets before preparing them?

If the fillets taste very salty, rinse them briefly under cold water before slicing. Mild smoked herring usually doesn't need this step.

Why does the marinade include mustard?

Mustard binds the oil and vinegar together into a smooth marinade that won't separate. It also adds a slight kick that brings out the smoky flavor of the fish.

How long does it take to make a herring and potato salad in oil?

Count 45 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a herring and potato salad in oil?

About 540 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a herring and potato salad in oil cost?

About €2.40 per serving, or €9.60 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains fish, mustard. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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