Swedish Inlagd Sill Recipe

Inlagd sill is a traditional Swedish dish of salted herrings pickled in a mixture of vinegar, water and spices. The pickling liquid is heated up first. The herring is then layered into a jar with sliced onions and carrots. The liquid is poured over the fish, and the jar is closed and left to sit for a couple of days before serving.

Inlagd sill translates directly to pickled herring. It is not made with typical white vinegar, but a spirit vinegar called attika. Acetic acid, the main ingredient in vinegar is much higher in attika and it is used mainly for pickling.

Besides the basic method, other ingredients can be added to flavor the herrings differently.  Dill and garlic offer a stronger flavor. Pickling with mustard seeds or tomatoes creates a tangy flavor. Other variations are made with curry and mayonnaise.

Pickled herrings are eaten in a variety of ways. Besides eating it by itself, it is added to salads and sandwiches, spread on top of bread and crackers or served as a side dish to a larger meal, like potatoes. Additionally, it is eaten as an appetizer, particularly in restaurants.

One popular appetizer made from herrings is S.O.S which means smor ost och sill, meaning butter, cheese, pickled herrings. Another way it might be served is as part of a julboard, a Christmas spread where typically numerous types of pickled herring are offered.

Origin and Cultural Significance

Historically, herrings have been a Swedish staple. It was plentiful and for a time fueled the economy through the Swedish herring trade. It was believed to be so abundant that fishermen would run out of salt, so later the herring was used to extract fish oil.

Inlagd sill is just one of many ways the Swedes enjoy herrings.

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Swedish Inlagd Sill Recipe

Yield: 6 Servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Additional Time: 2 days

Total Time: 2 days 30 minutes

Inlagd sill is a traditional Swedish food of salted herrings pickled in a mixture of vinegar, water and spices.

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Ingredients

• Herring fillets (Salted) - 1 lb
• Water - 1 cup
• Spirit vinegar (10%) - 1/3 cup
• Sugar - ½ cup
• Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
• Allspice - 1 tsp
• Black peppercorns (whole) - 1 tsp
• Cloves (whole) - 1 tsp
• Bay leaves - 3
• Red onion (medium) - 1
• Carrot - 1

Instructions

1. Make the pickle broth: Mix the sugar, water, vinegar, and spices.
2. Heat gently until the sugar melts.
3. Cool to room temperature.
4. Ensure the pickling jar is clean by washing with hot water.
5. Remove the skin from the onions and cut into slices.
6. Wash and peel the carrot and cut it into slices.
7. Rinse the herring in cold water and slice it into 1-inch wide pieces.
8. Layer the herring pieces in the jar with the sliced onion and carrot.
9. Pour over the cooled pickle broth.
10. Set in the fridge for two days before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 235Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 95mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 1gSugar: 18gProtein: 18g

Nutrition is provided and calculated by Nutritionix. It is for general information purposes and is only a rough estimation.