Rosolje is a beloved Estonian salad that combines salted herring, boiled potatoes, beets, eggs, and a creamy dressing, typically sour cream or mayonnaise. This dish, often served during holidays and family gatherings, surprises with its unique combination of flavors: salty, sweet, savory, and creamy. Simple to make yet deeply comforting, it’s the kind of dish that feels like home. The bright, vibrant colors make it a showstopper on any table, and its hearty yet refreshing taste will make you fall in love with Estonian cuisine. Perfect for a cold winter day, Rosolje is a must-try for anyone looking to experience a true taste of Estonia.
Ingredients
- 400 g salted or pickled herring, chopped into small pieces
- 4 medium potatoes, boiled and diced
- 2 medium beets, boiled and diced
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 200 ml sour cream or mayonnaise for a richer touch
- Fresh dill for topping
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil the potatoes and beets until tender. Once they’re cooked, let them cool completely (trust me, you don’t want a warm salad here). Peel and dice them into small cubes.
- Chop the herring into bite-sized pieces. Do the same with the hard-boiled eggs and onion.
- In a large bowl, gently mix together the potatoes, beets, herring, eggs, and onion. Add the sour cream (or mayonnaise) and stir carefully— you want everything to be coated but not mashed.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. You might not need much extra salt, depending on how salty your herring is.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving. (Honestly, it tastes even better if you leave it overnight— all the flavors have time to blend and develop.)
- Top with fresh dill just before serving. And don’t forget to enjoy it with a thick slice of rye bread for that authentic Estonian experience.
Notes
Rosolje: the Estonian salad that surprised me 🐟💜
Have you ever tried something completely new, and it just clicks? That’s exactly how I felt the first time I tasted Rosolje in Estonia. Honestly, when someone offered me a "pink herring salad," I wasn’t sure what to expect. Fish and beets? Together? It sounded a little odd at first. But as soon as I took a bite, I was hooked.
Rosolje is one of those dishes that feels like home— even if you didn’t grow up eating it. It’s creamy, savory, a little sweet, a little salty. All the flavors come together so perfectly that it’s hard to believe how simple the dish is. It’s colorful, comforting, and exactly the kind of food you want to enjoy on a cold evening.
And the best part? It’s super easy to make.
A little about rosolje
Rosolje is a traditional Estonian salad that combines salted herring, boiled potatoes, beets, eggs, and a creamy dressing— usually sour cream or sometimes mayonnaise, if you’re in the mood for something a bit richer. This dish is a must-have at family gatherings, Christmas dinners, and just about any holiday table in Estonia. Simply put: if Estonians are celebrating, there’s a very good chance Rosolje is involved.Why you should try this
- It’s absolutely beautiful on the table. Seriously, that color!
- Hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but also makes a great side dish.
- It’s traditional, but not in a boring way.
- It’s one of those dishes that gives you a taste of another culture— in the best way possible.
I honestly didn’t expect to fall in love with Rosolje as much as I did. But now, it’s one of those dishes that instantly takes me back to cozy kitchens, cold winters, and warm conversations.
If you’re looking for something different— and seriously delicious— this one’s for you.
Let me know if you try it! ❤️
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