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Surstromming

Swedish fermented Baltic herring.

Surstromming — illustrative ingredient image

About Surstromming

Surströmming is Swedish fermented Baltic herring, traditionally preserved in a salty brine and sold as a ready-to-eat fish product. It is commonly served with thin or crisp bread, potatoes, onion, and other accompaniments that balance its intense character. The fish is opened and portioned shortly before serving.

It is famous for a powerful, pungent fermented aroma and a distinctly savoury, salty, sour flavour. The herring becomes tender and soft during fermentation, with delicate flesh that can separate from the bones. Fermentation length, salt level, fish size, and serving temperature influence the strength and texture.

Surströmming is usually packed in sealed tins or containers with liquid brine. The fish appears pale silver, beige, or greyish and may be whole, split, or portioned after opening. It is typically chilled before serving, then cleaned and combined with bread, potatoes, onion, or other mild foods.

Ingredient type
compound ingredient

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Where surstromming appears

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Name examples awaiting language review. Confirm the specific food or product.

Local names for surstromming

Names and romanised forms to recognise on menus and labels.

English

Surströmming

surströmming

Available names only. Languages may be spoken in other countries; a name alone does not identify every ingredient in a dish.

Surstromming nutrition & diet

Surstromming nutritional value

Reference: Baltic herring fermented

Per 100 g of 100 g edible portion in the named official reference form.

Calories
82kcal
Protein
11.8g
Carbs
0.0g
Fat
3.9g

Official national food-composition reference. The displayed food form is part of the estimate; cultivar, recipe, brand, processing and preparation can change values.

Portions & preparation

Establish that the product is traditional fermented Baltic herring and record the edible fish portion, including whether it is served drained, with liquid, or prepared in a meal. Fermentation, packing liquid, accompaniments, and storage condition affect the form. Do not substitute another fermented fish product for this reference.

Compare the right form: Match the reference to fermented Baltic herring sold as surströmming, including drained fish, packing liquid, and stated preparation or serving form.

Diet considerations

Surströmming is animal-derived fermented fish. Compatibility changes with traditional accompaniments such as flatbread, potatoes, onions, sauces, or dairy, particularly where cereal ingredients or added animal products are present. The fish itself should not be treated as interchangeable with fresh herring, canned fish, or other fermented seafood.

AI-authored reading notes · Awaiting editorial review. Measured values, where available, have a separate source above.

Dietary compatibility

  • Vegan
    Not established
  • Vegetarian
    Not established
  • Pescatarian
    Not established
  • Keto
    Not established
  • Paleo
    Not established
  • Low-carb
    Not established
  • Halal
    Not established
  • Kosher
    Not established
What these diet assessments mean
Vegan · Not established
The available profile does not establish the full composition or processing for this dietary pattern.
Vegetarian · Not established
The available profile does not establish the full composition or processing for this dietary pattern.
Pescatarian · Not established
The available profile does not establish the full composition or processing for this dietary pattern.
Keto · Not established
A defined serving and sourced carbohydrate data are needed before assessing this dietary pattern.
Paleo · Not established
The ingredient form and processing have not been assessed against this dietary pattern.
Low-carb · Not established
A defined serving and sourced carbohydrate data are needed before assessing this dietary pattern.
Halal · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish halal status.
Kosher · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish kosher status.

For the plain ingredient · Awaiting review. Diet compatibility is not allergy suitability or halal/kosher certification. Keto and low-carb depend on the portion.

Reviewed ingredient entryIngredient reference · Preparations vary

AI-generated illustration for visual context. It does not identify a particular product or establish allergen content.

Sources & review

Nutrition reference: Swedish Food Agency Food Database, 2026-07-01 — 1297 ↗. Values are scaled from 100 g of the recorded edible form. Individual portions have no assumed fixed weight.

Expanded overview, name examples and nutrition notes are database drafts awaiting editorial review. Numeric nutrition values, where shown, have their own source and food-form reference.

The ingredient description and dish connections come from the draft catalogue and may change after review.

Last recorded verification: .