Matjesbrötchen Recipe: A Simple Guide to Germany’s Classic Street Food

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

What is Matjesbrötchen Recipe ?

The Matjesbrötchen recipe is a beloved German street food, made with tender pickled herring, onions, and fresh bread, often celebrated for its simplicity and rich flavors. At its core, this delicacy consists of a soft bread roll (Brötchen) filled with Matjes, a type of pickled herring renowned for its mild taste and tender texture. Traditionally, this dish embodies the essence of maritime cuisine, blending fresh, locally sourced ingredients into a delightful sandwich.

Matjes is a unique type of herring that undergoes a light pickling process, which preserves its flavor without overwhelming it with saltiness. This fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, making it not only delicious but also a healthy choice. The roll is typically accompanied by complementary toppings that enrich the overall taste. These may include thinly sliced onions, crisp lettuce, fresh cucumber, and occasionally a tangy sauce like remoulade or dill-based spreads. These elements work together to create a balanced and satisfying meal.

What makes the Matjesbrötchen recipe particularly special is its adaptability. While it remains rooted in traditional ingredients, modern variations allow for customization, catering to diverse palates. Its combination of hearty bread and succulent fish has cemented its place as a must-try dish in German coastal towns and beyond.

Essential Ingredients for the Perfect Matjesbrötchen Recipe

To create the ideal Matjesbrötchen recipe, it’s important to focus on a few key ingredients that bring together the flavors and textures perfectly.

1. Matjes Herring

The star ingredient, Matjes herring, is mildly pickled and tender. The fish should be fresh and marinated properly, offering a subtle sweetness and tanginess without being overly salty. This quality is crucial for an authentic Matjesbrötchen.

2. Fresh Bread Rolls (Brötchen)

The bread roll, or Brötchen, needs to be soft on the inside with a slightly crusty exterior. The right bread assures that the sandwich holds together without becoming soggy or falling apart. Fresh, high-quality rolls are essential for a perfect bite.

3. Fresh Onions

Thinly sliced onions are a traditional topping. Red onions are preferred for their mild, slightly sweet flavor, which contrasts nicely with the salty herring.

4. Lettuce and Cucumber

Crisp lettuce and cucumber slices add freshness and crunch, balancing the richness of the Matjes. These ingredients also provide a refreshing element to the sandwich.

5. Sauces and Condiments

Simple butter, creamy remoulade, or dill sauce are popular choices. A touch of lemon juice adds acidity, complementing the fish’s flavor.

These ingredients—Matjes, bread, onions, vegetables, and sauce—combine to create a harmonious and delicious Matjesbrötchen.

A Simple Step-by-Step Guide to Making Matjesbrötchen Recipe

Making a Matjesbrötchen is a straightforward process that combines simple ingredients to create a delicious, satisfying sandwich. Follow this easy step-by-step guide to make your own.

Step 1: Prepare the Bread Rolls

Start by selecting fresh Brötchen (bread rolls). Slice each roll horizontally, leaving the top part slightly attached. You want the roll to hold the ingredients well without becoming soggy.

Step 2: Add a Layer of Butter

Spread a thin layer of butter on the inside of each bread roll. This adds richness and helps keep the bread from absorbing too much moisture from the Matjes.

Step 3: Place the Matjes Herring

Take your pickled Matjes herring and drain any excess liquid. Place one or two fillets onto the bottom half of the roll. The fish should be tender and flavorful, forming the base of the sandwich.

Step 4: Add Fresh Onions

Thinly slice some red onions and layer them on top of the herring. The sharp, slightly sweet flavor of the onions will complement the fish perfectly.

Step 5: Top with Lettuce and Cucumber

Add a few fresh leaves of lettuce for crunch, followed by thin slices of cucumber. These ingredients bring freshness and balance to the dish.

Step 6: Add Sauce (Optional)

If desired, add a dollop of creamy remoulade or a light drizzle of dill sauce for extra flavor. You can also squeeze a bit of fresh lemon juice for a zesty touch.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Once assembled, close the sandwich and serve immediately. A Matjesbrötchen is best enjoyed fresh, allowing all the flavors to come together in every bite.

This simple guide assures that your Matjesbrötchen is flavorful, satisfying, and easy to make at home.

Expert Tips for Success

To make the perfect Matjesbrötchen, there are a few expert tips that can upgrade your recipe and assure that every bite is as delicious as it should be. Here are some essential tricks to perfect your Matjesbrötchen recipe.

1. Choose High-Quality Matjes Herring

The key to an authentic Matjesbrötchen is the herring. Choose fresh, high-quality Matjes from a trusted source. Look for herring that’s tender, lightly pickled, and not overly salty. Freshness is critical to achieving the best flavor and texture.

2. Use the Right Bread

For the best texture, opt for bread rolls that are fresh and slightly crusty. Brötchen from a local bakery are ideal. assure the rolls are soft inside but firm enough to hold the fillings without getting soggy. If you prefer, you can also use a baguette-style roll for a slightly different texture.

3. Marinate the Onions

To mellow the sharpness of onions, try soaking them in a bit of vinegar or lemon juice for 10-15 minutes before adding them to the sandwich. This step will soften their bite and enrich their flavor, making them a perfect complement to the Matjes.

4. Keep It Fresh

Fresh ingredients are essential for a great Matjesbrötchen. Use crisp lettuce and freshly sliced cucumber to add a refreshing crunch. Avoid overloading the sandwich with too many toppings, as this can overwhelm the delicate flavors of the Matjes.

5. Experiment with Sauces

While traditional Matjesbrötchen often uses butter or remoulade, feel free to experiment with different sauces to suit your taste. A light dill sauce, horseradish cream, or even a touch of mustard can add complexity and enrich the flavors without overpowering them.

With these expert tips, you’ll be able to create a Matjesbrötchen that’s bursting with flavor and perfect every time. Whether you’re making this classic dish at home or sharing it with friends, these simple adjustments can help you achieve culinary perfection.

What Makes Matjesbrötchen Recipe a Unique German Street Food Delicacy

Matjesbrötchen is a standout German street food, cherished for its simplicity and distinct, yet harmonious flavors. This beloved sandwich, consisting of pickled herring in a soft bread roll, is both a traditional delicacy and a modern favorite, with several features that make it unique.

1. A Coastal Tradition

The heart of the Matjesbrötchen is the Matjes herring, a classic ingredient from Germany’s coastal regions. Marinated in a special brine, this pickled fish brings a mild, slightly sweet, and tangy flavor that is both refreshing and savory. It reflects Germany’s maritime heritage, making the dish an authentic taste of the North Sea and Baltic coasts.

2. Simple Yet Flavorful

Despite its few ingredients, the Matjesbrötchen recipe offers a complex flavor profile. The pickled herring, fresh onions, crisp lettuce, cucumber, and soft roll combine to create a balanced blend of salty, tangy, and crunchy textures. The simplicity of the dish enriches its versatility, making it suitable for many tastes.

3. A Portable Snack

Perfect for street food, Matjesbrötchen is easy to prepare and serve, making it an ideal snack for busy markets or food stalls. Its portability and satisfying flavors have made it a go-to option for those looking for a quick yet fulfilling bite on the go.

4. Regional Variations

Though traditionally from northern Germany, Matjesbrötchen has adapted regionally, with different sauces or toppings enhancing the flavor. Whether with dill sauce, lemon, or remoulade, each variation adds a personal touch to the dish.

Matjesbrötchen is more than just a sandwich—it’s a celebration of tradition, taste, and German street food culture.

While Matjesbrötchen is traditionally enjoyed with various regional twists, you can also explore other creative takes on recipes like Crab Brûlée for a luxurious seafood experience.

Serving Ideas for Matjesbrötchen

Matjesbrötchen would be known as the apparently most flexible dish to be indulged in various innovative styles. Here are some serving ideas through which you would be able to enjoy this super sumptuous German street bite-inspired dish even more.

• 1. Traditional Street Food Style: 

Matjesbrötchen, in quite its classical form, is kept in this soft bread roll filled with pickled herring, onions, lettuce, cucumber, and one of creamy sauces-it is all for simplicity. Have it all washed down with chilled beer or a glass of white wine.

• 2. Smørrebrød Style on Rye 

Or change the Matjes up a bit and have it on a slice of hearty rye bread. The taste is so dense: it meshes into that delicate pickled fish. You still have a lot of room to cover: onions, pickles, or a sprinkle of dill-the literal translation of “open-faced” serving. Perfect for a starter or light snack.

• 3. With a potato salad on the side: 

Alongside Matjesbrötchen, in most parts of Germany, comes a bowl of creamy potato salad. The richness of the salad nicely cut by the tangy Matjes is what makes it worth eating. It is famous as picnic food or just really convenient for summertime dining.

• 4. Matjesbrötchen Salad: 

If a light meal is what you crave, convert Matjesbrötchen to a salad. Add the pickled herring, onion, lettuce, and cucumber to greens and top with a tangy mustard or dill dressing, healthier and low-carb for you.

Here-with these serving suggestions, the entire length of the Matjesbrötchen experience is now available. Classic to more modern or simply lighter eating or simply bursting with flavor on the side.

Why You Would Love Matjesbrötchen Recipe

Matjesbrötchen is a simple yet authentic dish, enjoyed as much in the streets as at home, keeping everything under the meal. It perfectly marries flavors and textures, tempting one to crave for more. Matjes tenderly marries tanginess with fresh vegetables, a soft bread roll, and heavenly sauces, all for delight in each bite.

What makes it even more special about Matjesbrötchen is that it has something for everyone. Its light yet filling quality makes it great for quick lunches, picnics, or late-night snacks but is so versatile that toppings and sides can go from traditional street food styles to rye bread or a light salad. There are simply no limits. 

Sure, Matjesbrötchen is more than just flavors. It is really a piece of German coastal history, where the deep-sea sailing traditions merge with the fondness for fresh local ingredients. Whether the nostalgia for roots or just craving for something fresh and tangy, Matjesbrötchen is an alluring dish for everyone. 

Indulge in some Matjesbrötchen for a quick authentic German treat- an irresistible bite that promises to satisfy your taste buds and introduce you into a past kitchen tradition.

FAQs About Matjesbrötchen Recipe