Whitefish salad comes by way of Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants from Europe and Russia. When they first arrived in the United States, they discovered that the freshwater whitefish of the Great Lakes was very similar to the freshwater whitefish of Europe. Freshwater whitefish is ideal for smoking, as its oily consistency and mild flavor easily absorbs the salty, smoky and sweet flavors that come from the curing and smoking process. In the early 20th century, it became popular to make mayonnaise dressed salads like tuna and chicken salad. Smoked whitefish got the same treatment and quickly became a staple of Jewish delis, as well as a coveted item at any Yom Kippur break-fast spread.
Typically, Lake Whitefish (coregonus clupeaformis), a freshwater fish from the Great Lakes, is used for smoked whitefish. The fish is commonly shipped to New York where it gets brined, dried and smoked. Once smoked, the white fish skin turns golden yellow. Smoked whitefish is most often sold either whole or as a simple premade salad. While wildly popular on the East Coast, it’s harder to find smoked whitefish on the West Coast, or in parts of the country with smaller Jewish communities. If you struggle to find whole whitefish in your local market, you can easily substitute whitefish with smoked sable or smoked trout for an equally delicious salad.
There’s nothing wrong with traditional whitefish salad, but I love to add a few extra ingredients to my whitefish salad to brighten up its salty smoky flavors. Mayonnaise is essential, but I also add sour cream for tangy creaminess (you can skip the dairy and substitute it with more mayo if desired). Fresh dill and parsley give the salad lightness and herbaceousness, and lemon zest and juice add citrusy acidity and flavor. However you like to make it, you can never go wrong serving whitefish salad at your next holiday spread.
Note: The salad will keep for up to one week refrigerated.
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The Best Whitefish Salad Recipe
A zesty take on an Ashkenazi staple. This easy whitefish salad recipe is a bagel essential.
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups
Ingredients
- 8 oz smoked whitefish (or smoked trout or sablefish)
- ¼ cup mayonnaise, or to taste
- 2–3 Tbsp sour cream
- 1 Tbsp chopped parsley
- 1 Tbsp chopped dill
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp lemon zest
- black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Start by crumbling the fish off its skin into small pieces. Make sure to remove any bones in the process, especially if using a whole fish.
- Add mayonnaise, sour cream (if using), parsley, dill, lemon juice, lemon zest and pepper to the fish. Taste and adjust to your liking.
Notes
Salad will keep for up to 1 week refrigerated.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Entree
- Method: Quick
- Cuisine: Ashkenazi
Sounds delicious
I’ll try it for sure
Thank you
Love this recipe, so much like my Oma’s and Mom’s recipe! They both have passed long ago now so, thank you!
I would try it except the smoked fish is way too expensive…..
Lee, bubeleh -you can go to Trader Joe’s and buy a 3 ounce tin of smoked trout for a couple bucks very reasonable – 3 tins will make this recipe. The
You can buy smoked trout in packs in most supermarkets in the smoked salmon section. About 8$ for 8 Oz. Trader Joe’s, Wholefoods and Publix all stock the Ducktrap brand.
Try the smoked whitefish chubs. That’s what I used, and with 2 fish, it came out perfect!
SMOKED WHITEFISH IS REAONABLY PRICED @ COSTCO. P.S. WHAT THE HECK, YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE.
Not all COSTCO’s carry the smoked white fish either whole or a s a salad. Depends on where you live.
Where is that Costco? Ive certainly never seen it at our Costco in Northern Colorado. could it be a regional thing??
You couldn’t be more right! Where did you get your white fish?
Delish!! Can’t wait to make it .yum!!
Delish! Can’t wait to make it
don’t break up the whitefish too much, a chunkier whitefish salad is delicious and you can really taste the fish
Miracle Whip is not mayo it is an entirely different animal. It is featured as a pop-up ad in your recipe.
How difficult is it to remove all the bones?
Where can you purchase Sablefish in the UK?
In Tampa FL, Smoked whitefish, trout etc prices off the charts. You need a loan to purchase sadly .
My mom used to make this in the 70’s when things were easy to buy and priced as well.