Shuba (Dressed Herring Salad)

Cold, layered, and built to rest, this shuba (dressed herring salad) brings salty herring, sweet beets, tender potatoes, and a creamy finish into one sliceable dish.

Overhead view of Russian dressed herring salad layered with beets, potatoes, carrots, egg, and mayonnaise on a white plate over a stainless steel countertop.

Recipe

Cook’s Note: Cool every component fully before layering so the salad stays distinct instead of turning soft and streaked. Keep the mayonnaise light between layers or the whole dish can start to feel heavy.

Prep: 40 Minutes

Chill: 4 hours

Serves: 6

Best served with: dark rye bread, boiled potatoes, or roast chicken

Ingredients

  • 3 small beets (about 450 g), boiled until tender, peeled
  • 3 medium potatoes (about 500 g), boiled, peeled
  • 1 medium carrot, boiled, peeled
  • 3 eggs, hard-boiled and peeled
  • 3 salted herring fillets (about 200–250 g), diced small
  • 1 small white or yellow onion, finely diced
  • ¾–1 cup (180–240 g) mayonnaise, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, optional
  • Green onion garnish
  • 1 sour apple, grated

Steps

  1. Boil the beets, potatoes, and carrot separately until tender, then cool and peel.
  2. Hard-boil the eggs, then cool and peel.
  3. Grate the potatoes, carrot, eggs, and beets on the coarse side of a box grater, keeping each separate.
  4. Spread the herring in an even layer in a serving dish and cover lightly with mayonnaise.
  5. Add the onion in an even layer and spread over a thin layer of mayonnaise.
  6. Layer over the potatoes, press lightly to level, and spread with a thin layer of mayonnaise.
  7. Add the carrot, then a light layer of mayonnaise.
  8. Add the eggs, then another thin layer of mayonnaise.
  9. Finish with the beets and spread a final thin layer of mayonnaise over the top.
  10. Cover and chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight, before slicing and serving.

Why This Recipe Works

Grated vegetables keep the layers light and cohesive, while resting time lets the flavors settle without losing definition. Sweet beets soften the edge of the salty herring, and the mayonnaise holds the layers together without turning the salad dense.

Pairing Suggestion

Serve with cold vodka, sparkling water, or dark rye for a classic contrast.

Leftover Strategy

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Serve cold straight from the fridge, since the flavor deepens as the layers rest.

Make It Yours

  • Add grated sour apple for brightness and sweetness.
  • Add a little prepared horseradish between layers for more bite.
  • Stir a small amount of mustard into the mayonnaise.
  • Chop the vegetables instead of grating for a more rustic texture.

Kitchen Connections

Foundation: No direct foundation needed here.
Next Dish: Try Fish & Egg Stuffed Tomatoes next for another cold, savory dish with the same make-ahead feel.

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