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    Home » Type » Appetizers

    Authentic Nakládaný Hermelín Recipe (Czech Pickled Cheese) - Just Like in Prague!

    Published: Mar 3, 2023 · Modified: Jun 18, 2023 by Faith · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    In this recipe for Czech pickled cheese (aka Nakládaný Hermelín), a creamy cheese with a bloomy rind that’s similar to Camembert is sliced, stuffed with a savory filling, and cured in oil. It’s the ultimate pub food in Prague! And bonus, it's the perfect low carb and keto appetizer.

    czech marinated cheese on czech pottery w ith loaf of sliced bread in background

    I saw Nakládaný Hermelín at least two or three times on menus at different pubs in Prague before I decided to order it. Sometimes it was called pickled cheese and other times it was referred to as marinated cheese. I had no idea what to expect!

    But I’m a cheese lover through and through and I decided to give it a try.

    Even if it ended up being cheese that tastes like pickles, how bad could it be?

    Czech Pickled Cheese at Pub in Prague

    This is the Nakládaný Hermelín I had at a pub in Prague, Czech Republic. The kind waitress was sweet enough to ask her boss if they could sell us four of the Czech ceramic plates when I asked her. The answer was YES! A local potter in Prague made them, and I love them so much.

    I’m glad I ordered it because this dish ended up being one of my very favorite foods that I had in Czechia! (Let me set some of your fears to rest. Despite it sometimes being labeled pickled cheese, no, it isn’t cheese that tastes like pickles, lol.)

    In fact, I enjoyed Nakládaný Hermelín so much that the first thing I did after I finished eating it was take out my phone, open a new note, and describe the flavors so I could recreate it at home.

    overhead view of czech marinated cheese on czech stoneware plate on wooden table with bread

    In This Article

    • Nakládaný Hermelín Recipe (Czech Pickled Cheese)
    • How Long Does Czech Cheese Need to Marinate?
    • What to Serve with Czech Pickled Cheese
    • Interesting Tidbit
    • More Pub Food and Bar Food Recipes to Try
    • More Travel Tips if You’re Planning a Trip to Prague
    • Nakládaný Hermelín Recipe (Czech Pickled Cheese)

    Nakládaný Hermelín Recipe (Czech Pickled Cheese)

    Ingredients for Nakládaný Hermelín

    Hermelín cheese is traditionally used to make Czech marinated or pickled cheese. This is a soft and creamy Czech cheese with a bloomy rind, similar to Camembert.

    As far as flavorings go, garlic, onion, and paprika are always present, as well as a few herbs (notably rosemary and/or thyme) and aromatics (like juniper berries and bay leaves). And for spices, peppercorns are popular, and you’ll also sometimes find allspice.

    And in the version I had at a pub in Prague, I could swear I tasted ginger too, as well as a hint of spicy chilies. So I went with it!

    How to Make Nakládaný Hermelín

    How to Make Nakládaný Hermelín

    To make Nakládaný Hermelín, sliced cheese rounds in half, stuff it with flavorings, and cure it in oil.

    How Long Does Czech Cheese Need to Marinate?

    The length of time needed for the cheese to marinate depends on a couple different factors.

    The first factor is how ripe (i.e., soft) the cheese is. The softer the cheese, the quicker it takes on the flavor of the marinade. Therefore, the less time the cheese needs to spend marinating.

    Another important factor to consider is the temperature of your kitchen. Traditionally, Nakládaný Hermelín marinates in a glass jar at room temperature (out of direct sunlight). Therefore, at higher temperatures, it will take less time.

    For this recipe I marinate the cheese in the fridge to avoid potential food poisoning. I’m not an expert on the topic of botulism, and I understand and respect that this method has been used probably for centuries to make this dish in Czech Republic. However, because I’m not an expert, I decided to play it safe and try and avoid botulism (which is food poisoning related to bacteria growth, possibly due to improper sterilization or a low-acid environment), and let it marinade in the fridge.

    czech pickled cheese in glass container

    What to Serve with Czech Pickled Cheese

    When I had this dish at a pub in Prague, it was served with pickled cucumber, pickled cabbage, pickled red onion, and fresh cucumber. We asked for no bread to keep it low-carb.

    However, when I re-created this at home, I served it along with “Wheat” Keto Bread and it was delicious!

    Of course if you can get it, serve this marinated Czech cheese recipe along with a Czech pilsner (or pale lager).

    Here are a few ideas for what to serve with marinated Czech cheese:

    • Rye bread - this is a classic pairing
    • “Wheat” keto bread - a great way to keep the carbs down
    • Quick pickled red onions - this elevates the flavor of this cheese
    • Grilled red peppers - the natural sweetness of grilled or roasted red peppers pairs beautifully with Nakládaný Hermelín
    Nakládaný Hermelín

    Interesting Tidbit

    an edible mosaic stamp logo 1200 square

    Even though this dish is frequently referred to as "pickled cheese" on pub menus in Prague, it isn't actually pickled. There's no vinegar involved!

    More Pub Food and Bar Food Recipes to Try

    • Beef Pasty Recipe
    • Guinness Beef Stew and Irish Brown Soda Bread
    • Cheddar Cheese Ball Appetizer (aka Cheddar Pub Spread)
    top view of czech pub food pickled cheese spread on rustic wooden table

    More Travel Tips if You’re Planning a Trip to Prague

    • Prague Attractions – The BEST Things to Do in Prague
    • Food Guide – The BEST Food in Prague
    • Prague Shopping – Including Insider Tips
    glass container with marinated czech camembert cheese

    Let's Connect

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    Did you make this recipe? Please rate it and leave a comment below. You can also tag @anediblemosaic on social media.

    To stay up-to-date, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter!

    Nakládaný Hermelín featured image

    Nakládaný Hermelín Recipe (Czech Pickled Cheese)

    By: Faith Gorsky
    In this recipe for Czech pickled cheese (aka Nakládaný Hermelín), a creamy cheese with a bloomy rind that’s similar to Camembert is sliced, stuffed with a savory filling, and cured in oil. It’s the ultimate pub food in Prague! And bonus, it's the perfect low carb and keto appetizer.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Time to Marinade: 3 days d
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine Czech
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 194 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 large cloves garlic crushed
    • 2 teaspoons fresh-grated ginger
    • ¼ teaspoon sweet paprika
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • 8 ounces wheel of Brie or Camembert cheese
    • 1 small yellow onion thinly sliced
    • 1 red chili pepper thinly sliced
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 1 teaspoon peppercorns
    • ½ teaspoon whole allspice berries optional
    • About 1 ½ cups extra-virgin olive oil

    Instructions
     

    • Mix the garlic, ginger, paprika, and salt together so it forms a paste.
    • Slice the cheese wheel in half horizontally. Spread the garlic paste inside one half, and then place the other half on top.
    • Add a few slices of onion and chili pepper, a bay leaf, and half of the peppercorns and allspice berries in the bottom of a sterilized glass jar. Pour in about half an inch of oil.
    • Add the cheese (you can cut it into wedges if you need to so it fits).
    • Add the rest of the onion and chili pepper slices, the remaining bay leaf, and the rest of the peppercorns and allspice berries. Add enough oil so everything is submerged.
    • Let it marinate for at least 3 days or up to 4 weeks (I marinate it in the fridge, although the traditional method marinates it at room temperature). Let it sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes to soften the cheese before serving.

    Faith's Tips

    • Net Carbs: 5g per serving
    • Nutritional Information: The nutrition information for this recipe was calculated without the oil used for marinating.
    • Let it Sit at Room Temperature Before Serving: When this is refrigerated, the oil will harden, but that’s not a problem. Just let this sit at room temperature for about 20 to 30 minutes before eating.
    • Traditional Method: This dish is traditionally made by letting the cheese marinate at room temperature for up to a few weeks, making sure that the cheese is fully submerged in oil. However, I let it marinade in the fridge.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Nakládaný Hermelín Recipe (Czech Pickled Cheese)
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 194 Calories from Fat 126
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 14g22%
    Saturated Fat 9g56%
    Cholesterol 41mg14%
    Sodium 553mg24%
    Potassium 197mg6%
    Carbohydrates 6g2%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 2g2%
    Protein 12g24%
    Vitamin A 634IU13%
    Vitamin C 19mg23%
    Calcium 238mg24%
    Iron 1mg6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Keyword Czech Cheese, Czech Marinated Cheese, Czech Pickled Cheese, Marinated Cheese, Nakládaný Hermelín, Pickled Cheese
    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
    Nakládaný Hermelín Recipe Pin

    This post was first published on An Edible Mosaic on February 19, 2020. I updated it with new photos and more information on March 3, 2023.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Lucie says

      December 04, 2021 at 3:31 pm

      Hi, I'm Czech and when I came across this recipe I was really curious how an American would make our tradional pub food (I've been making it for years 😄). I was a bit surprised by the gigner because I heard of that but I might try it in my next batch but otherwise it very authentic. If you can get pickled cherry peppers try adding them whole to the jar and serving ot with the cheese, it is the tradional way and adds a nice crunch and spiciness to the dish.

      Reply
      • Lorine says

        April 14, 2022 at 9:36 pm

        I am czech and my grandmother made a cheese from traov, cooked it was pale yellow, almost opaque. Had caraway seeds in it. Any idea. Trying to find a recipe

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Faith!

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