Marinated Herring Viennese Style
Pickled herring with apple, onion, gherkin and a cool sour-cream dressing.
Estimated nutrition per serving
These figures are estimates per serving. Actual nutrition can vary with the brands and exact amounts you use, how much oil, dressing or sauce is absorbed, any substitutions or added extras, and the portion size served.A practical guide for comparing recipes and planning meals.
What you need
- 100 pickled herring, Measured for a four-serving recipe., prepared as described
- 500 apple, Measured for a four-serving recipe., peeled or cored and cut evenly
- 100 gherkins, Measured for a four-serving recipe., prepared as described
- 250 sour cream, Measured for a four-serving recipe.
- 2 red onion, Measured for a four-serving recipe., peeled and diced into 5 mm pieces
- 15 dill, Measured for a four-serving recipe., leaves picked and finely chopped
Step-by-step method
Follow the recipe in order, tasting and adjusting seasoning where needed.
- 1. Set up and weigh everything: Read the full method before heating anything. Weigh every ingredient for Marinated Herring Viennese Style. Put raw meat or seafood on a separate board. Peel onions and cut them into uniform 5 mm dice; mince garlic to roughly 2 mm; cut firm vegetables into equal 2 cm pieces so they cook at the same rate. Pat meat, fish or wet vegetables dry with kitchen paper before seasoning.
- 2. Season and start the flavour base: Season the main ingredient for Marinated Herring Viennese Style lightly with salt 10 minutes before cooking. Heat a heavy pan over medium heat for 2 minutes, add the cooking fat, then add onion or other aromatics. Fry at about 160–170°C for 6–8 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until softened and lightly golden. Add garlic and ground spices for the final 30–60 seconds only.
- 3. Cook the main vegetables or grains: Add the firmest vegetables, grains or pulses first. Stir to coat in the aromatic base, then cook for 4–5 minutes. Keep the pieces moving often enough to prevent scorching but allow brief contact with the pan so light browning develops.
- 4. Cook through without drying out: Continue cooking Marinated Herring Viennese Style over controlled heat, turning or stirring as required. For shallow-fried items maintain 175–180°C and cook 3–5 minutes per side. For oven finishing use 200°C conventional / 180°C fan until the centre is cooked and the outside is crisp.
- 5. Reduce and balance the sauce: Remove the lid for the final 5–10 minutes if the sauce is thin. Simmer until it coats the back of a spoon. Taste in this order: salt, acidity, sweetness, then chilli or pepper. Add fresh citrus juice, herbs or dairy off the strongest heat to preserve aroma and prevent splitting.
- 6. Rest, garnish and serve safely: Rest Marinated Herring Viennese Style for 5 minutes where appropriate. Warm plates or bowls, portion evenly, then add the specified fresh herbs, zest, crisp garnish or sauce. Serve hot food above 63°C. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours in shallow containers and use within 2–3 days.
Tips, storage and serving advice
What to drink with Marinated Herring Viennese Style
These are wine-style pairings, so you can choose any bottle in that style rather than needing one exact producer. Look for the grape, region or style name on the label.Pairings are chosen around the dish’s flavour, texture, richness, acidity and cooking style, not just the country it comes from.
Grüner Veltliner
- Flavour bridge: the wine's fruit, savoury notes and freshness create a natural bridge to the dish
- Acidity: Acidity keeps the pairing lively and food-focused
- Body: Body is matched to the overall weight of the dish
- Tannin: Tannin level is kept appropriate to the dish's protein and texture
- Sweetness: Dry unless the dish benefits from a touch of residual sweetness
- Best for: Dinner, entertaining or recipe pairing
Pinot Noir / Burgundy
- Flavour bridge: the wine's fruit, savoury notes and freshness create a natural bridge to the dish
- Acidity: Acidity keeps the pairing lively and food-focused
- Body: Body is matched to the overall weight of the dish
- Tannin: Tannin level is kept appropriate to the dish's protein and texture
- Sweetness: Dry unless the dish benefits from a touch of residual sweetness
- Best for: Dinner, entertaining or recipe pairing
Dry Riesling
- Flavour bridge: the wine's fruit, savoury notes and freshness create a natural bridge to the dish
- Acidity: Acidity keeps the pairing lively and food-focused
- Body: Body is matched to the overall weight of the dish
- Tannin: Tannin level is kept appropriate to the dish's protein and texture
- Sweetness: Dry unless the dish benefits from a touch of residual sweetness
- Best for: Dinner, entertaining or recipe pairing
Specific wines to try
These are named bottles or regional wine examples already linked to this recipe. Each card opens the relevant wine-style guide because individual bottle pages are not currently published.Australian Dry Riesling
Australian Dry Riesling is credible here because it represents the matched Dry Riesling style. Dry Riesling combines piercin…
Explore this wine styleAustralian Sparkling Brut
Australian Sparkling Brut is credible here because it represents the matched Champagne / Traditional Method Brut style. High…
Explore this wine styleChinese Food Off-Dry Riesling
Chinese Food Off-Dry Riesling is credible here because it represents the matched Dry Riesling style. Dry Riesling combines p…
Explore this wine styleMexican Food Riesling
Mexican Food Riesling is credible here because it represents the matched Dry Riesling style. Dry Riesling combines piercing…
Explore this wine styleMore Austrian recipes
Keep exploring the country’s food story through related starters, mains and desserts.




