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easy gravlax recipe: Quick Scandinavian Cured Salmon with Dill Mustard Sauce

A simple Nordic-style gravlax made by curing skin-on salmon with salt, sugar, dill, and pepper, then serving it in thin slices with a tangy dill mustard sauce. The active prep is brief, but allow time for the salmon to cure in the refrigerator.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 day 12 hours 20 minutes
Servings 8

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lb center-cut skin-on salmon fillet pin bones removed (680 g), preferably farm-raised Atlantic salmon from a reputable fish seller
  • 1/3 cup kosher salt 70 g
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar 67 g
  • 1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper 2 g
  • 1 packed cup fresh dill sprigs divided (30 g)
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard 30 g
  • 1 tbsp whole-grain mustard 15 g
  • 1 tbsp honey 21 g
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar 15 ml
  • 2 tbsp neutral oil such as grapeseed or avocado oil (30 ml)
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh dill 3 g

Instructions

  • Pat the salmon dry with paper towels. Run clean fingers over the flesh and remove any pin bones with clean tweezers or fish pliers. Leave the skin on; it makes slicing the cured salmon easier.
  • In a small bowl, mix the kosher salt, sugar, and black pepper. Scatter about one-third of the dill in the center of a rimmed dish or small baking pan just large enough to hold the salmon.
  • Sprinkle half of the salt mixture over the dill. Place the salmon skin-side down on top, then cover the flesh evenly with the remaining salt mixture. Pack the remaining dill over the salmon.
  • Cover the salmon tightly with plastic wrap or place it in a large resealable bag. Set a second small pan or plate on top and weigh it down with a few cans. Refrigerate for 36 to 48 hours, turning the salmon over once about halfway through the curing time. Keep it refrigerated throughout.
  • To make the dill mustard sauce, whisk the Dijon mustard, whole-grain mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, and oil until smooth and slightly thickened. Stir in the chopped dill. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • Unwrap the salmon and discard the dill and liquid. Briefly rinse the surface under cold running water, then pat very dry. Place the salmon skin-side down on a cutting board. Holding a sharp slicing knife at a low angle, cut very thin slices from the wide end, leaving the skin behind.
  • Serve chilled with the dill mustard sauce. For an easy lunch or appetizer platter, add rye bread or crackers, cucumber slices, lemon wedges, pickled red onions, and greens.