gravlax (fresh salmon marinated in dill)

1 Pinch
Grapeview, WA
Updated on Sep 23, 2016

This traditional Scandinavian recipe often appears on Christmas Eve smorgasbords. You can easily halve the recipe to serve a small gathering, too. Buy one fillet and cut it in half cross-wise or select 2 equal-size pieces of center-cut fillet weighing 1 1/2 to 2 pounds total. Use previously frozen salmon or freeze fish at 0 degrees for 48 hours to kill any parasites that may be present. You can keep gravlax in the refrigerator up to 10 days after curing, serving it anytime within that span. Wrap sliced or unsliced gravlax in plastic and store in the coldest part of your refrigerator.

prep time 30 Min
cook time
method No-Cook or Other
yield 72 slices

Ingredients

  • 2 - skin-on salmon fillets (about 2 pounds each)
  • 1/4 cup kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon peppercorns, white or black
  • 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh dill
  • - rye cocktail bread slices, optional
  • 2 tablespoons stone ground sweet mustard, sweet-hot mustard, or country style dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons sugar (3-4 teaspoons if using dijon mustard)
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill weed

How To Make gravlax (fresh salmon marinated in dill)

  • Step 1
    For the sauce, mix the mustard, vinegar and sugar in a small bowl.
  • Step 2
    Gradually whisk in the oil.
  • Step 3
    Stir in the dill.
  • Step 4
    Refrigerate, tightly covered, up to three days.
  • Step 5
    Whisk again before using.
  • Step 6
    Serve slightly chilled.
  • Step 7
    Run your fingers down the flesh side of each fillet to locate the small pin bones and remove them with tweezers or needle-nose pliers.
  • Step 8
    Wipe the flesh with a damp paper towel.
  • Step 9
    Combine the salt, sugar and peppercorns in a small bowl.
  • Step 10
    Rub the mixture onto the flesh side of both fillets.
  • Step 11
    Sprinkle the dill evenly over 1 fillet and lay the other fillet flesh-side down on top, placing the thin end of one over the thick end of the other.
  • Step 12
    Place the salmon in a large plastic bag, press out the air and seal tightly.
  • Step 13
    Put the salmon on a platter and lay a cutting board or baking sheet on top and weight it down with three 1- to 2-pound cans of food.
  • Step 14
    Refrigerate 36 to 48 hours, turning the bag of fillets over every 12 hours.
  • Step 15
    Lift fillets from the bag and discard the bag and accumulated liquid.
  • Step 16
    Scrape the seasonings off the fish and pat dry. (Fillets can be wrapped in plastic and stored in the refrigerator up to 10 days before serving -- see note below.)
  • Step 17
    Place one fillet, skin side down, on a large serving platter (with head end to the left for right-handed people).
  • Step 18
    Hold the knife blade tilted so you'll be slicing down through the fillet at a 45-degree angle (rather than straight up and down).
  • Step 19
    Begin slicing at the head end, making a 1/8-inch-thick slice.
  • Step 20
    At the bottom of slice, turn the knife blade gently to separate the slice from the skin.
  • Step 21
    Using the knife, turn the slice over to the left as if turning the page of a book.
  • Step 22
    Continue cutting 1/8-inch slices on the angle, separating each from the skin and turning each slice over to partially overlap the previous one.
  • Step 23
    Repeat with remaining fillet.
  • Step 24
    Garnish with fresh dill and serve with Mustard Dill Sauce and rye or dark bread.

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