Herring – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Groceries

What is herring?

Herring is a small, oily fish that is commonly found in Scandinavian, Eastern European, German, and English cuisine. It’s a very versatile fish that can be prepared in a wide variety of ways – from grilling or steaming to frying or pickling. It has firm, silky flesh and is neither strongly nor lightly flavored. Instead, herring has a distinct flavor that is somewhat similar to sardine. 

Since the flesh is so oily, it tends to break off into moist chunks. The meat is quite hardy and the fatty parts of the fish are very rich, leaving a satisfying coating on the palate. 

Where is herring found?

Herring is found in both salt water and fresh water all around the world. These fish grow to a maximum size of about 16-inches and travel in large schools. In fact, a single school of herring is typically made up of about three billion fish! In the wild, they can live for up to 15 years. 

When is herring in season? 

Herring spend their whole lives on the move, migrating throughout the year to special spawning and feeding grounds. For this reason, the time and place that you catch them can have a big impact on the way they taste. Most people agree that herring tastes the best when the fat content is at its highest. This is known as the “premium catch period.” In most cases, this occurs in the summertime – between May and August. However, this varies depending on the type of herring and the fishing location. 

What should I look for when buying herring?

Herring is sold in many different ways, so you’ll want to start out by knowing what type you want and how you plan to prepare it. Here are a few of the most common:

• Creamed herring – typically packed in sour cream with onions and seasonings. Shop creamed herring. 
• Smoked herring – has a smokey, fishy flavor.
• Pickled herring – typically marinated in a mixture of vinegar, onions, sugar, and spices
• Kippered herring – prepared by butterflying the fish then preserving it by salting, pickling, or cold-smoking. Shop kippered herring.
• Herring fillets – fresh or frozen fillets.

Grab it now on Instacart:

Creamed Herring (per lb)

Smoked Herring Fillet (per lb)

Flaum's Pickled Herring Fillet (14 oz)

Ocean Prince Kipper Snacks Naturally Smoked (3.5 oz)

Herring Fillet (per lb)

When buying fresh herring, you’re most likely to come across the Atlantic species, although you may see other types once in a while. In the U.S., fresh herring is typically available from May through October. 

When buying smoked herring, you can often find either filets or whole herring with the head still on. The filets are also sold either boneless or with the bones still inside. While the bones are soft, they’re not edible, so you’ll want to consider this when choosing your herring. 

No matter how you buy your herring, you’ll want to make sure it’s fresh. Often, the best way to do this is to check the “best by” date. 

If you’re planning on getting a grocery delivery, you can easily shop for herring via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products.

How to store herring

If you’re able to get your hands on fresh herring, you’ll want to store it in the refrigerator and cook it within a few days. If you can’t cook it in that time frame, you can store it in the freezer in an airtight container for up to six months. 

Canned or jarred pickled herring can stay in your pantry up until the expiration date. Once you’ve opened pickled herring, you can store it in the refrigerator for about three months. Smoked herring can stay good for about three to four days, as long as you store it properly. It should be kept in the refrigerator in a tightly covered glass or plastic container. You can also freeze smoked herring for about three months. While it may still be good after that, the quality will start to go downhill. 

Once you’ve defrosted smoked or pickled herring, you’ll want to eat it within three to four days at the most. Fresh herring that has been defrosted should be prepared within a couple of days. 

How to tell if herring is bad 

The best way to tell if your herring has gone bad is to take a close look at it and give it a sniff. If the color or texture looks “off” or it has mold, then you’ll want to discard it. Herring can have a strong “fishy” scent when it’s fresh, but if it smells strange, it has probably gone bad.

While canned and jarred herring will last a long time in the pantry, if you notice that the container has rusted, is severely dented, leaking, or bulging, it’s safest to throw it away. 

What can I substitute for herring? 

When you need a substitute for herring, sardines are probably your best bet. It’s worth noting that sardines are not actually a species of fish, but rather a general term for small fish packed in a tin. Some of the most common types of sardines are silds, brislings, and pilchards. 

You may think that mackerel is a good substitute for herring, but it’s actually not a great choice. Although it has the same fine, fatty texture, the mouth-feel is very different. If you substitute this, you likely won’t be pleased with the results. 

Add herring to your next meal plan

Are you ready to try herring? Whether you plan to eat it pickled, smoked, or in a fun new recipe, you can head over to Instacart.com and add everything you need to your shopping list! With Instcart Express, grocery deliveries over $35 are free, so try it out today! 

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