Russian Beet Salad with Herring

Rating: 4.65 stars
31 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 25
  • 4 star values: 3
  • 3 star values: 2
  • 2 star values: 0
  • 1 star values: 1

This salad is commonly known in Russia as a 'Herring under the Winter Coat Salad.' It is a must for every Russian holiday, however, you have to have a taste for herring and beets. Every Russian craves this salad, but my American hubby doesn't care for it. I use a clear bowl for this salad so that you could see all ingredients in it.

By Evgeniya
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Ingredients

20
Original recipe yields 20 servings
The ingredient list now reflects the servings specified

Directions

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the potatoes, carrots, and beets in the boiling water until cooked but still firm, 15 to 20 minutes for the potatoes, 25 to 30 minutes for the carrots, and 40 minutes for the beets. Allow each to cool to the touch before further handling. Remove and discard the skins from the potatoes and beets. Shred the potatoes, carrots, and beets, keeping them separate.

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  • Arrange about half the onion and half the herring fillets in a layer in the bottom of a bowl. Cover the layer with about half of the grated potatoes, then a layer of about half the carrot, and finally about half the beet. Spread about 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise over the salad; season with salt and pepper. Repeat the layers in the same order to finish building the salad. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator at least 1 hour. Serve cold.

Partner Tip

Reynolds® Aluminum foil can be used to keep food moist, cook it evenly, and make clean-up easier.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:
120.3 calories; 3.3 g protein; 9.4 g carbohydrates; 7.8 mg cholesterol; 174.9 mg sodium. Full Nutrition

Reviews (25)

Read More Reviews

Most helpful positive review

akmommy23
Rating: 4 stars
01/24/2011
We make this a bit differently. Herring layer of potatoes shredded beets and shredded carrots. Repeat. Each layer divided by mayo garlic salt and pepper. Top layer is boiled grated egg and on the very top is shredded cheddar cheese. No onions. Served in a glass container awesome colors and fantastic taste! Read More
Helpful
(22)

Most helpful critical review

Shady_Lady
Rating: 3 stars
02/24/2016
It is strange that this recipe has onions in it. I am from the Baltic States where people eat a lot of this "salad" and we never use onion. Instead of pure mayonnaise we use a mix of mayonnaise and sour cream not so fat and the taste is much better and the salad juicier. Besides- when layering is done we put crushed boiled eggs on top (they should look like grated). Fresh chopped dill can be added too. Read More
Helpful
(5)
31 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 25
  • 4 star values: 3
  • 3 star values: 2
  • 2 star values: 0
  • 1 star values: 1
Reviews:
Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest
akmommy23
Rating: 4 stars
01/24/2011
We make this a bit differently. Herring layer of potatoes shredded beets and shredded carrots. Repeat. Each layer divided by mayo garlic salt and pepper. Top layer is boiled grated egg and on the very top is shredded cheddar cheese. No onions. Served in a glass container awesome colors and fantastic taste! Read More
Helpful
(22)
akmommy23
Rating: 4 stars
01/24/2011
We make this a bit differently. Herring layer of potatoes shredded beets and shredded carrots. Repeat. Each layer divided by mayo garlic salt and pepper. Top layer is boiled grated egg and on the very top is shredded cheddar cheese. No onions. Served in a glass container awesome colors and fantastic taste! Read More
Helpful
(22)
Mrs. White
Rating: 5 stars
04/06/2010
Shuba!! Love this. It may not be an American taste but it is delicious! Thanks for the recipe Evgeniya! Read More
Helpful
(14)
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vbos
Rating: 5 stars
03/21/2012
My darling and I ran into a 2.50 pack of smoked herring in the store sniffed it and were transfixed. We had some leftovers of potato salad (with onion lemon and vinegar) from the previous day so I invested 1 in a can of beets and microwaved the remaining baby carrots that were counting days on the bottom of our fridge. As the herrings were hellishly salty I soaked them in water for 20-30 min and only used three pieces. I had some sour cream so I added it to one of the potato layers. I also boiled two eggs and added them on top with a thin layer of mayo a pinch of dried parsley and two (leftover) lemon slices for decoration. I haven't added any more salt nor pepper except for what was already in the potato salad and herrings. It was DIVINE. I will make this many times in the future. Thank you for the wonderful recipe! Read More
Helpful
(9)
masya
Rating: 5 stars
12/02/2012
To remove excess salt herring it must be cleaned and put it on 30 minutes in the milk. And to remove the bitterness of the onion chop it and place it in the boiling water. Even sometimes add a thin layer of sweet-sour apple. It's not for everybody. Read More
Helpful
(8)
Sasha
Rating: 5 stars
02/24/2011
Thank you Evgeniya. This is one of my favorite salads! Read More
Helpful
(5)
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Anna M
Rating: 5 stars
09/07/2010
LOVE this salad. I used to have this when I was younger but didn't know how to make it. Thank you! Everyone out there who hasn't tried this it is delicious! Read More
Helpful
(5)
Shady_Lady
Rating: 3 stars
02/24/2016
It is strange that this recipe has onions in it. I am from the Baltic States where people eat a lot of this "salad" and we never use onion. Instead of pure mayonnaise we use a mix of mayonnaise and sour cream not so fat and the taste is much better and the salad juicier. Besides- when layering is done we put crushed boiled eggs on top (they should look like grated). Fresh chopped dill can be added too. Read More
Helpful
(5)
Anthony
Rating: 5 stars
10/20/2011
My Grandmother makes a similar salad like this she says it's Slovenian but I'm thinking she borrowed it from Russia. I've got a great recipe for Borscht Moskovsky that I made to go along with this. Read More
Helpful
(4)
Hibiscusita
Rating: 4 stars
10/04/2011
Very yummy though you do have to like beets and herring. I used herring that came with onions in sour cream. I sauteed my onions for fear of a strong raw onion taste that I am not fond of. Took some of akmommy23's advice to put mayo salt and pepper between each set of repeated layers and also added layers of hard-boiled egg. I think adding chopped walnuts or another very oily nut would be great. Read More
Helpful
(4)
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