Matjesfilet nach Hausfrauenart (Pickled Herring in Cream Sauce)
Why this recipe works
- Balanced sharpness: Lemon juice, gherkins and apple cut through the sour cream and salty herring, keeping the sauce fresh rather than heavy.
- Good texture contrast: Tender herring, crisp apple, crunchy gherkins and warm potatoes give the dish more variety than a standard creamy salad.
- Fast assembly: Ready-to-eat pickled herring means the main work is boiling potatoes and stirring together the sauce.
Get the most out of this recipe
Authenticity notes
- Home-style German serving: The “Hausfrauenart” style typically pairs pickled herring with a creamy, lightly sweet-sour sauce rather than a hot cooked preparation.
- Classic with potatoes: Boiled potatoes are the traditional partner because their mild warmth balances the chilled, salty herring sauce.
Ingredient notes
- Check the herring first: Pickled herring varies in saltiness, so taste before adjusting the sauce; very salty fillets can be briefly rinsed and patted dry.
- Use a crisp apple: A firm, crisp apple holds its shape in the sauce and gives cleaner contrast than a soft or floury variety.
- Balance the lemon: Add lemon juice gradually so the sauce tastes bright without overwhelming the sweet gherkins and creamy base.
Texture tips
- Fold gently: Add the herring after the sauce is mixed and fold it through carefully to keep the pieces intact.
- Keep it chilled: A short chill helps the sauce firm slightly and lets the onion, apple and dill settle into the cream.
Make-ahead tips
- Prepare the sauce ahead: The cream sauce can be mixed in advance, then the herring folded in closer to serving for the best texture.
- Store potatoes separately: Keep the potatoes apart from the herring sauce if storing leftovers, so they do not absorb too much dressing.
- Best served fresh: The dish keeps briefly in the fridge, but the apple and herbs are at their brightest on the day it is made.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Put the potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water and add 1 tsp of the salt. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 12 to 15 minutes until a knife slides in easily. Drain and let them steam-dry in the colander.
- Meanwhile, finely slice the red onion, dice the apple, and finely chop the gherkins and dill. Juice the lemon. Set aside a small pinch of dill for serving if you like.
- In a mixing bowl, stir together the sour cream, 1 to 2 tbsp lemon juice (to taste), the remaining 0.5 tsp salt, and the black pepper. Fold in the onion, apple, gherkins and most of the dill until evenly coated.
- Gently fold in the drained pickled herring, keeping the pieces as intact as possible. Cover and chill for 10 minutes so the flavours meld. Taste and adjust with a little more lemon juice, salt, or pepper if needed.
- Serve the herring in cream sauce alongside the warm potatoes, scattering over the reserved dill. If you prefer, let the potatoes cool slightly and toss them through the sauce for a more salad-like supper.
Recipe notes
Tips
- If the herring is very salty, give it a quick rinse under cold water, then pat dry before folding into the sauce.
- For best texture, add the herring after mixing the sauce so it stays tender and does not break up.
- If serving to pregnant people, young children, older adults, or anyone immunocompromised, choose herring that is clearly labelled ready-to-eat and keep the dish well chilled until serving.
Substitutions
- Replace sour cream with greek-yogurt for a lighter, tangier sauce.
- Replace sweet gherkin pickles with dill-gherkin-pickles for a less sweet, more savoury finish.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 2 days
- Store the herring in cream sauce in an airtight container in the fridge and eat within 2 days. Keep the potatoes separate if possible; reheat potatoes in simmering water for 2 to 3 minutes or in the microwave until piping hot.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 2 servings
- Total time: 30min (15min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: German
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Allergens:
Fish Milk
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