Appetizer · Eastern European · Dinner ·

Lemon-Infused Baltic Herring Tartare with Rye Crumble

Name: Lemon-Infused Baltic Herring Tartare with Rye Crumble
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Appetizer
Ingredients: 300g fresh Baltic herring fillets, skinned and finely diced; 1 small red onion, finely chopped; 3 tbsp capers, chopped; 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped; Zest of 1 lemon; Juice of 1 lemon; 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil; Salt and pepper, to taste; 100g rye bread slices, finely crumbled or pulsed in a food processor; 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 1 tsp caraway seeds; Salt, to taste

This elegant tartare combines fresh Baltic herring with bright lemon zest and a crispy rye crumble, offering a perfect blend of tangy and nutty flavors.

4.1(340 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·November 6, 2025

Lemon-Infused Baltic Herring Tartare with Rye Crumble — Appetizer served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Herring Tartare

For the Rye Crumble

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 296 kcal
Protein: 20 g
Carbs: 14.75 g
Fat: 17.75 g
Fiber: 2.25 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1183 kcal
Protein: 80 g
Carbs: 59 g
Fat: 71 g
Fiber: 9 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
300g fresh Baltic herring fillets skinned and finely diced	450	72	0	18	0
1 small red onion finely chopped	30	1	7	0	1
3 tbsp capers chopped	6	0	1	0	1
1 tbsp fresh dill finely chopped	4	0	1	0	0
Zest of 1 lemon	2	0	1	0	1
Juice of 1 lemon	12	0	4	0	0
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil	240	0	0	28	0
Salt and pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
100g rye bread slices finely crumbled or pulsed in a food processor	230	7	44	2	6
2 tbsp unsalted butter	200	0	0	23	0
1 tsp caraway seeds	9	0	1	0	1
Salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Herring Marinade

1
Combine Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced herring, red onion, capers, dill, and lemon zest.
Tip: Ensure the herring is fresh to avoid any fishy taste.
2
Add Marinade
Add the lemon juice and olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Stir well to combine.
Tip: Use a zester to achieve thin lemon strips for a punch of citrus flavor.
3
Marinate
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to marinate.

Preparing the Rye Crumble

1
Melt Butter
Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
2
Toast Crumbs
Add rye crumbs and caraway seeds to the pan, stirring constantly until golden and crisp, about 5-7 minutes.
3
Season and Cool
Season with a pinch of salt and let it cool on a paper towel-lined plate.

How to Make Lemon-Infused Baltic Herring Tartare with Rye Crumble

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Rye Crumble Toasting
Heat the rye crumbs until they are golden brown and crunchy.
2
Tartare Assembly
Gently mix marinated herring with chilled tartare components just before serving.
3
Flavor Balancing
Adjust lemon juice and seasoning to taste before presenting.