Include in Print View:

Swede Dish Pickled Herring Stuffing

Cuisine: ,
Courses:
Dietary: Flours + Cereals, Grains, Pickled Herring, Seafood
Description

In coastal Swedish kitchens, bright pickled herring always has a place at the holiday table. This Swede Dish version marries that briny tradition with the nostalgic warmth of an East Coast oyster stuffing. It’s a little bold, a little cozy, and unmistakably Scandinavian-American.

Ingredients
    Base
  • 1 loaf day-old rustic bread (rye–sourdough blend ideal)
  • 3 Tbsp butter
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 celery stalks, finely diced
  • 1 small parsnip or celery root, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • Aromatics
  • ½ tsp ground allspice
  • ¼ tsp white pepper
  • 1 tsp dried dill weed (or 1 Tbsp fresh dill at the end)
  • 2-3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • ⅛ tsp a pinch of cardamom (Optional: very Swede Dish)
    • Herring Component
  • 1 cup Swedish-style pickled herring, drained & chopped
  • Classic onion herring is perfect
  • OR mustard herring for a richer profile
  • 2-3 Tbsp pickling brine (for seasoning, not soaking)
    • Liquid
  • 1½ cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • ¼ cup heavy cream or Swedish-style filmjölk/skyr (Nordic Cream Finish)
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
    • Finishing
  • 1 Zest of lemon
  • 1 tbsp dill, finely chopped
  • Freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
    1. Prepare the Bread
  1. 1
    Toast your bread cubes at 300°F for 12–15 minutes until crisp and lightly golden.
    2. 2. Build the Flavor Base
  2. 2
    In a large skillet:
  3. 3
    Melt butter.
  4. 4
    Add onion, celery, and parsnip (or celery root).
  5. 5
    Sauté until very soft and fragrant (10–12 min).
  6. 6
    Add garlic, allspice, white pepper, dried dill, and parsley.
  7. 7
    This base mimics the savory warmth of oyster stuffing but with Nordic aromatics.
    8. 3. Fold in the Herring
  8. 8
    Add chopped pickled herring into the warm vegetables.
  9. 9
    Stir gently just to warm through — don’t sauté too much to avoid toughening.
  10. 10
    Add 2–3 Tbsp of herring brine to echo the oyster-liquor effect.
    11. 4. Combine & Moisten
  11. 11
    In a large bowl:
  12. 12
    Toss bread cubes with the herring-vegetable mixture.
  13. 13
    Whisk broth, cream/skyr, and egg together; pour over the stuffing.
  14. 14
    Mix gently until evenly moistened (add more broth if needed).
    15. 5. Bake
  15. 15
    Transfer to a buttered baking dish.
  16. 16
    Bake uncovered at 350°F for 35–40 minutes until:
  17. 17
    Top is crisp
  18. 18
    Center is set
  19. 19
    Edges are beautifully golden
    20. 6. Finish Bright
  20. 20
    Right before serving, sprinkle with:
  21. 21
    Lemon zest
  22. 22
    Fresh dill
  23. 23
    Black pepper
  24. 24
    This final layer balances the rich brine with brightness.
Read it online: https://swededish.com/recipe/swede-dish-pickled-herring-stuffing/
Abby Phillips
Foodie + Boy Mom