Śledzie w Śmietanie
AI-generated image
Gluten-free Polish

Śledzie w Śmietanie

A classic Polish dish of gently salted herring layered with sour cream, onion, apple, and dill. The creamy dressing balances the fish’s briny richness with fresh, lightly sweet contrast.

40 min 4 servings Medium
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How to prepare

1
Place the scrubbed potatoes in a saucepan, cover with the water, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 12–15 minutes, until a knife slides into the centers without resistance.
2
Drain the potatoes and let them cool for 5 minutes. While they cool, rinse the herring briefly if needed, pat it dry, and cut it into 3 cm pieces.
3
In a medium bowl, mix the sour cream, lemon juice, and black pepper until smooth. Taste before adding salt, since the herring may already be well seasoned.
4
Fold the herring, sliced onion, apple matchsticks, and chopped dill into the cream mixture until evenly coated, taking care not to break up the fish.
Herring, apple, onion, and dill coated in sour cream dressing. AI-generated image
5
Cover and refrigerate the herring mixture for at least 2 hours and up to overnight, allowing the onion to mellow and the dressing to become lightly infused.
6
Arrange the chilled herring beside the boiled potatoes, spoon over any remaining dressing, and scatter with a little extra dill if desired. Serve cold or slightly tempered for 10 minutes.
Polish herring in sour cream served with boiled baby potatoes. AI-generated image

Why this recipe works

Salted herring brings concentrated savory depth, while sour cream rounds it out. Apple, onion, and dill provide acidity, gentle sweetness, and freshness, and a short chill lets the flavors meld without cooking the delicate fish.

Storage and reheating

How to store it

Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Keep chilled at or below 4°C and do not leave at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

How to reheat it

Do not reheat. Serve cold or allow the covered dish to stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition / serving

595kcal
32.10 gprotein
38.06 gcarbs
35.11 gfat
P
Pantryvale editorial kitchen
Recipe prepared for publication with complete ingredients and ordered cooking steps.
Published 17 Aug 2026 · updated 17 Aug 2026