1/2 gallon water with 1 cup of rocksalt,1 cup Borax, 1 package of powdered milk. I don't like to cut-plug the herring before I brine them because they get all rubbery and shriveled. They get just as tough when you don't cut off the heads first, and they look better.

I've tried the blue dye,but IMO all it does is turns your hands blue. I think the powdered milk makes them just as shiny.