Shuba salad is a classic Russian dish featuring beautiful layers of pickled herring and root vegetables. It’s traditionally a national New Year’s dish, but let’s be honest, it’s delicious anytime of the year!

Shuba salad needs to be prepared at least 6 hours ahead of time. Why? This impressive salad needs time to set in the refrigerator before you serve it. But, trust me, it’s well worth it.
Like many classics, shuba is made a variety of different ways according to what chef you ask. But, that’s what makes it fun, right? Some people like to layer the beets last to create a reddish-purple “fur coat”, while others like to layer mayonnaise last for a “white coat”.
What is Shuba Salad?
Simply put, shuba salad, or “Herring Under a Fur Coat,” is a layered salad of pickled herring fillets, finely chopped onion, beets, carrots, potatoes and dressing. In Russian, “shuba” means “fur coat,” and more specifically references the big coats Russians have to wear during the harsh winter months. But, when it comes to the salad, the “fur coat” reference is all in the aesthetic. When you layer your boiled and grated beets on top of this salad, it looks similar to the texture of a fur coat, hence the name! It’s a fun, delicious and classic dish that has graced Russian tables for decades.
But, who came up with the idea for this signature salad? Legend has it that restaurateur Anastas Bogomilov created the dish to fill the bellies of his customers in 1918. His patrons were notorious for drinking too much and causing a ruckus. To alleviate the tension, it’s rumored he created the ultra-filling shuba salad. I mean, food can solve everything right?
Tips For Making Shuba Salad
This salad might seem a bit daunting to make if you didn’t grow up in an Eastern European household. But, don’t worry! Below, I will list all of my tips and tricks for making the perfect shuba salad.

Get the Layers Right
The biggest tip I can hammer into you is to get the layering order right. It goes: potatoes, onions, herring, carrots, mayonnaise, beets and then another thin layer of mayonnaise to top it all off. Why am I such a stickler when it comes to layering? Well, putting the heaviest layer of potatoes at the bottom helps keep the salad sturdy, but there is also something delicious about the way the herring soaks into the spuds. Trust me, it makes all the difference in the flavor!
Note: Sometimes chefs add a layer of chopped hard boiled eggs to shuba salad. If this sounds tasty to you, add this layer on top of your carrots.
Replace Herring In Shuba for Smoked Salmon
Okay, I’ll be realistic here. Some of you may just simply loathe herring and that’s okay! We can still be friends and you don’t have to go without shuba. If you can’t do herring, replace it with smoked salmon. This variation is equally delicious. Sometimes I even make it this way when the craving hits!
Give Shuba Enough Time to Set
Like I said above, shuba needs to set in the fridge before you serve it. This helps all the layers get together, while ensuring each layer stands out. It also makes it easier for you when it comes time to delicately remove the salad from the mold.

Other Beet Salads
Eastern Europeans love their beets — my family included! Here are some of my other favorite beet salad recipes:
- Beet Garlic Salad: This creamy, garlicky salad can also be served as a spread!
- Beet Carrot and Cabbage Salad: This salad has a wonderful crunch to it from the cabbage.
- Beet Quinoa Salad: For all the health nuts out there, this salad is filling enough to stand alone as a meal!
- Vinaigrette Salad: This traditional salad is packed with root vegetables and tossed with a sunflower oil-based dressing.
- Quick Pickled Beets: In 24-hours, you can have your very own, homemade pickled beets!
Storing Shuba
Store shuba in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. You can carefully lift it into a container with a spatula to keep its shape. When it comes to freezing shuba for later use, this salad is simply too delicate to freeze. Reserve it for occasions when you can eat it fresh!
Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 small potatoes
- 1 lb Herring (see image below for reference)
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 3 medium beets
- 3 medium carrots
- 1 cup mayonnaise
Instructions
- Boil beets for 45 minutes in a small pot. In a separate pot, boil potatoes and carrots for 25 minutes. Remove all ingredients from the boiling water and let them cool off.
Another way to cook ingredients is by baking them in the oven. Wrap beets, carrots and potatoes in foil and bake them at 400 °F for 30- 45 minutes. Carrots and potatoes cook sooner, check using a fork to confirm they are cooked thoroughly. - Clean beets, potatoes, and carrots. Grate each separately on a cheese grater. Slice herring and onion into small pieces. Using a combination of a large plate and a mold (or a deep tray), begin by first placing potatoes on the bottom.
- Add onions and herring on top of potatoes.
- Follow by carrots, mayonnaise, and beets.
- Lastly, add a layer of mayonnaise. If you are using a mold, remove it right before serving. Refrigerate the salad for at least 6 hours before serving.
Hi Natalya, what size of mold are you using for your recipe/12ppl ?
Hi Natalya, What mold size (diameter) are you using for 12ppl quantity ?
Hi Greg, I use a 6-7 inch round pan to shape the Shuba. You can use a bigger size, the layers will just be a little thinner. Hope this helps. Good luck!
Great recipe, lots of love from us!
Hey dear, so happy you loved it, thanks for sharing!
Hello, if I want to put this salad in a 9×13 pan, would I need to double this recipe? Thanks
Hey dear, I think you would need at least 1.5 the amount of the ingredients. It would depend on how thick you want the layers to be. Enjoy
Hi Natalya , I made Shuba for Thanksgiving. It's one of our favorite salads. It's so delicious.
Oh yummm!!! Love this salad in the colder months. Always a hit. 🙂
Hi, Natalya, I was invited to a Polish diner and was served this salad but it had a layer of sour thick cream and radish also, is that popular incorporation in this recipe?
Hi Mahir, I have never heard of that version of Shuba. That actually sounds really good. I have to try it one day!
Is it an appetizer? If not, what would you serve with it?
It is a salad, so you can serve it as a side to any dinner. Hope this helps!
Can i leave in the fridge over night?
Yes, you can store shuba in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Hope you enjoy!
My layered shuba did not hold together. I put in in a metal ring pan and pressed down . When I tipped it over on the plate after refridgerating over night it didnt hold. What did I miss?
You shouldn’t tip it over, but use a spring-clip form/pan instead to keep its form. Hope that helps 🙂
Tipping it over?
Sorry, I don't understand your question.
Hey Claire, did you put mayonnaise layers in between? Also, how large was the grater that you used?
Hi made this for my boyfriend but apparently I missed a layer of eggs!! This is how apparently Russians do it traditionally.
Hey Charley, sometimes we also add eggs but it's optional. You can add it right under the beets.
Hi. Cooking this for the first time for my boyfriend. I bought the same herring pictured. Is it supposed to be raw? Or is the lightly salted cured enough to eat it as is. Thank you for your help!
Hey Nikki, yes, it will cured and you can eat it like this. Make sure to keep it refrigerated.
Having a hard time finding salted herring locally, but would smoked herring suffice? Also: would an east European cheddar-equivalent make for a reasonable layer?
Hey Shane, you can use herring or even smoked salmon. I don't know if I would add cheddar to this salad.
We use smoked salmon when there is no herring available. My mom also adds a layer of shredded cheese after potatoes and a layer of boiled eggs - everyone loves it!
Hey Julie, thank you for sharing your version with us. I love to hear feedback from others. I have never considered adding cheese, sounds really interesting. Happy New Year to you!
Where do I get the herrings from?
Hi, you can find it at a lot of European markets or even some Costcos carry it. If you can't find it, you can also use smoked salmon from Costco.
Can I use Cod Liver instead of herring for the fish part?
Hey Ashley, I have never tried Cod Liver but if you like the flavor of Cod Liver, I think it would work.
how many people does this recipe serve? thanks
When serving it as a side dish, this would make 12 servings.
Your order of ingredients made all the difference! We’ve always loved this salad but disliked how herring was always left at the bottom and had to be scraped out, which also left a messy plate. We just love having herring over the potatoes! Plate stays clean, herring stays intact and somehow the salad tastes sooo much better!!
I can't agree with you more! Potatoes can also taste pretty blend but when you place herring over them, flavors are on point. I am so glad you feel the same way 🙂
i know most people use herring in oil, but I only had some in a wine sauce from Costco. I rinsed the herring, patted it dry with paper towels, added some oil and chopped it up. I added it to the shuba like that and my salad turned out great! thanks for a nice recipe, I love your blog!
Oh thanks for sharing. This will help many that dont have European market close by.
love this salad, !!!
Herring is a marinated and salty. Slavic market carry it. Otherwise Costco has a sweet version of it, but I dont like it very much. If you can find salty herring, replace it with smocked salmon.
Shuba is one of my most favorite salads from childhood times! We had it every New Year's eve. Beautiful job!
even though for you is obvious, i didn't find the way the herring has to be. Would the herring be raw, fried, cooked, smoked, marinade?
What sort of herring one could use???
Thanks,
Yeha, I wonder why I didn't think of this before.
what a good idea to make it in small individual portions. it looks so beautiful too...Will have to do this for upcoming holiday. Thanks
Thank you!
My fav!You did it so beautiful!