Definition

Noun: A food preparation consisting of herring (a type of small, oily fish) that has been preserved and flavored by soaking in a pickling solution, typically made from brine (salt water) or vinegar, often with added spices like onions, peppercorns, and bay leaves.

Usage

"Pickled herring" is used as a countable noun (e.g., a pickled herring, two pickled herrings) or, more commonly, as an uncountable noun referring to the food item in general. - It is often served as an appetizer, on crackers, or as part of a salad. - It is a traditional dish in many Northern and Eastern European cuisines.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• As a culinary specialty: The term can specify regional variations, such as or (a specific type of young, mild herring often pickled).
• In figurative language (rare): Sometimes used informally to describe someone who looks pale, sour, or preserved, akin to the food item. (e.g., )

Variants and Related Words

• Herring: (noun) The type of fish used before preservation.
• Pickled: (adjective) Describing food preserved in a pickling liquid. Can be used with other foods (e.g., , ).
• Bismarck herring: A specific type of pickled herring fillet.
• Rollmops: A related dish consisting of pickled herring fillets rolled around a filling like onion or gherkin.

Synonyms

• Preserved herring
• Soused herring (particularly when vinegar-based)

Related Phrases/Idioms

There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs directly using the phrase "pickled herring." It is primarily a culinary term.

Noun

1. herring preserved in a pickling liquid (usually brine or vinegar)