gravlax (fresh salmon marinated in dill)
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.
No Image
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 1For the sauce, mix the mustard, vinegar and sugar in a small bowl.
-
Step 2Gradually whisk in the oil.
-
Step 3Stir in the dill.
-
Step 4Refrigerate, tightly covered, up to three days.
-
Step 5Whisk again before using.
-
Step 6Serve slightly chilled.
-
Step 7Run 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 8Wipe the flesh with a damp paper towel.
-
Step 9Combine the salt, sugar and peppercorns in a small bowl.
-
Step 10Rub the mixture onto the flesh side of both fillets.
-
Step 11Sprinkle 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 12Place the salmon in a large plastic bag, press out the air and seal tightly.
-
Step 13Put 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 14Refrigerate 36 to 48 hours, turning the bag of fillets over every 12 hours.
-
Step 15Lift fillets from the bag and discard the bag and accumulated liquid.
-
Step 16Scrape 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 17Place one fillet, skin side down, on a large serving platter (with head end to the left for right-handed people).
-
Step 18Hold 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 19Begin slicing at the head end, making a 1/8-inch-thick slice.
-
Step 20At the bottom of slice, turn the knife blade gently to separate the slice from the skin.
-
Step 21Using the knife, turn the slice over to the left as if turning the page of a book.
-
Step 22Continue 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 23Repeat with remaining fillet.
-
Step 24Garnish with fresh dill and serve with Mustard Dill Sauce and rye or dark bread.
- Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!
Discover More
Comment & Reviews
ADVERTISEMENT
Just A Pinch Sweepstakes