Pickled Northern Imitation Herring

Transform your taste buds with this tangy and aromatic Pickled Northern Imitation Herring—a delightful variation on classic pickled fish that uses imitation crab or artificial fish fillets as the star ingredient! This recipe captures the briny, slightly sweet essence of pickled herring while being accessible and affordable. Thinly sliced onions, whole spices like bay leaves, allspice, and peppercorns, and the optional sprigs of fresh dill create a vibrant medley of flavors in a simple homemade brine made with white vinegar, sugar, and salt. Ready in just 30 minutes of hands-on preparation, this dish needs a day or two in the fridge to reach peak flavor. Serve it chilled as a unique appetizer or side dish alongside hearty rye bread, crisp crackers, or tender boiled potatoes. Perfect for seafood lovers and pickling enthusiasts alike!

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound Imitation crab (or artificial fish fillets)
• 1 cup White vinegar
• 1 cup Water
• 1 cup Granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
• 1 medium (sliced into thin rings) White onion
• 3 Bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon Whole allspice
• 1 teaspoon Black peppercorns
• 2 sprigs Dill (fresh, optional)

Directions

Step 1

Cut the imitation crab or fish fillets into bite-sized chunks or strips and set aside.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine white vinegar, water, granulated sugar, and kosher salt. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar and salt dissolve completely.

Step 3

Remove the saucepan from heat and let the brine cool to room temperature.

Step 4

While the brine is cooling, prepare the onions by slicing them into thin rings. Separate the rings and set aside.

Step 5

In a clean glass jar or container with a lid, layer the imitation crab pieces, sliced onions, bay leaves, whole allspice, black peppercorns, and optional dill sprigs.

Step 6

Once the brine has cooled, pour it over the layered ingredients in the jar, ensuring everything is fully submerged.

Step 7

Seal the jar tightly with its lid and refrigerate for at least 24 hours to allow the flavors to meld. For best results, let it pickle for 48 hours.

Step 8

Before serving, give the jar a gentle shake to redistribute the spices. Serve chilled as a side dish or appetizer with rye bread, crackers, or boiled potatoes.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1254.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1299.8

Total Fat 2.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 90.7mg	0%
Sodium 5605.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 284.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.3g	0%
Total Sugars 231.5g
Protein 36.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 149.0mg	0%
Iron 2.7mg	0%
Potassium 956.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 1.9%

Protein: 11.1%

Carbs: 87.0%