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Close-up of a freshly made Matjesbrötchen sandwich with herring and toppings.

Matjesbrötchen Recipe


  • Author: chef Olivia
  • Total Time: 12 minutes (Prep Time + Cook Time)
  • Yield: 1 sandwich 1x

Description

This Matjesbrötchen recipe brings the taste of North German street food to your kitchen. Featuring mild pickled Matjes herring, a crisp Brötchen, and flavorful toppings like red onion, dill, and crème fraîche, this herring sandwich is easy to make and perfect for seafood lovers. Follow our step-by-step guide to create the best Matjesbrötchen at home!

Ingredients

Scale
 
  • 23 Matjes herring fillets (mildly pickled)
  • 1 Brötchen (German bread roll)
  • 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon crème fraîche
  • 12 sprigs fresh dill
  • Optional: 1 pickle slice or a squeeze of lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Rinse the Herring: Gently rinse the Matjes herring fillets under cold water to remove excess brine or oil. Pat dry with a paper towel. Slice into bite-sized pieces if needed.
  2. Prepare the Brötchen: Slice the Brötchen in half horizontally. For extra texture, lightly toast the cut sides in a pan or oven until crisp but not hard.
  3. Layer the Herring: Place 2-3 Matjes herring fillets on the bottom half of the Brötchen, arranging them evenly.
  4. Add Toppings: Scatter thinly sliced red onion over the herring, followed by a dollop of crème fraîche. Sprinkle fresh dill on top.
  5. Assemble and Serve: Place the top half of the Brötchen on the sandwich. Serve immediately and enjoy your Matjesbrötchen!

Notes

  • Choosing Herring: Look for “Matjes” herring at seafood markets or grocery stores – avoid saltier varieties like Bismarck herring for authentic flavor.
  • Variations: Try a Scandinavian twist with mustard sauce or add lettuce, apple slices, or horseradish for extra flair.
  • Storage: Store leftover herring in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze fillets for up to 3 months. Avoid freezing the assembled sandwich.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 minutes (for toasting the Brötchen; optional step)
  • Category: Sandwich
  • Method: No-Cook (or "Toasting" if you include the optional step)
  • Cuisine: German

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 sandwich
  • Calories: 300 kcal
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 12g
  • Cholesterol: 40mg

Keywords: matjesbrötchen recipe, matjes rezept, matjestårta, matjes brötchen, matjes broetchen, German herring sandwich, North German cuisine, seafood sandwich