A quick and easy Swedish egg and herring salad known as Gubbröra. This delicious Nordic classic is often served as part of a traditional Swedish smörgåsbord. It can be enjoyed as an appetizer on rye bread, as a rich, flavorful salad or simply as everyday egg sandwich. Perfect for parties, family gatherings, or a great way to use up leftover eggs. Herring can be replaced with tuna if needed.
Today’s recipe takes us north, where the beauty of nature meets everyday simplicity, and more importantly nothing goes to waste. In many ways, that’s where the best recipes begin – rooted in rural life, shaped by necessity, and refined over time.
Love herring? Try this super easy Lazy Shuba (Fur Coat Salad) or this extra easy Dill Pickle Herring Salad with Dried Tomato (15 min).
Behind the Bites
The name Gubbröra, rather cheekily, is often interpreted as “old man’s mix.” There are a few stories behind the name. One popular explanation is that it was a quick, no-fuss dish that older men would throw together, especially after a drink or when something simple was needed.
Historically, gubbröra emerged from Sweden’s coastal and rural food traditions, where preserving fish was essential. Ingredients like salted or pickled anchovies (often the Swedish variety known as ansjovis, which is sweeter and spiced), boiled eggs, potatoes, onions, and herbs were everyday staples.
By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, gubbröra had become a familiar part of the Swedish smörgåsbord, the traditional buffet that features a variety of small dishes. It’s typically served on crispbread or dark rye bread, often garnished with dill.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Eggs – hard boiled
- Herring fish, marinated – or canned tuna works well too if you prefer the taste better. If you can get your hands on IKEA’s fish in jars (it will be perfect for this recipe).
- Shallots – or any other type of mild onion
- Spring onion – or chives
- Sour cream – or creme fraiche
- Lemon juice – fresh is always best
- Sea salt – only to taste, as herring is usually salty (depends on the brand)
How to make Egg Salad at home?
1st: Drain herring fish well from brine/oil. Cut in cubes, together with the boiled eggs.
2nd: Mince the shallots, onion and add in the sour cream. Mix everything together, cool in the fridge for 10-20 minutes and serve.
Quick Swedish Egg Salad (Gubbröra)
Ingredients
- 2 medium eggs
- 140 g herring, marinated
- 1 large shallot
- 1 tbsp. spring onion
- 2 tbsp. dill, fresh
- 100 g sour cream
- 2 tbsp. lemon juice, fresh
- pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- First, place eggs into a pot and boil for about 10 minutes, should be hard boiled. Then, immediately transfer to cold water. Peel the eggs and cut into cubes.
- Then, chop marinated herring fillets, add in the cut eggs, minced shallots and spring onions.
- Next, and in the sour cream, lemon juice, dill and season with salt. Serve over a thin slice of bread or crackers.
Notes
Nutrition
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We made this salad for a family dinner last night. It was delicious.
Thank you for the positive feedback 🙂