Swedish Gravlax

Careful when sourcing your salmon for this classic Swedish snack, gravlax is cured but still raw.
Swedish Gravlax Swedish Gravlax

You take your awesome salmon fillet, pack it with salt, sugar, and dill, wrap it up all tight like you’re swaddling a baby, then let it sit in your refer for two days. If you’re using a uuuuuuuuge piece of salmon, you can cut it in half, pack the top with the salt/sugar/dill and lay the two pieces on top of each other (with the flesh touching) before wrapping it.

And that’s it! That’s all it takes for an 1. Swedish-inspired appetizer 2. Delicious raw recipe and 3. Brownie points for being utterly completely awesome for curing your own fish.

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Swedish Gravlax

Swedish Gravlax


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  • Author: Julia Mueller
  • Total Time: 20 mins
  • Yield: 8 servings

Description

Careful when sourcing your salmon for this classic Swedish snack, gravlax is cured but still raw.


Ingredients

Units
  • 2 tbsp kosher salt
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 bunch fresh dill, stems removed
  • 1 lb (450 g) frozen salmon filet, thawed

For Serving

  • Fun cracker or rustic crusty bread
  • Cottage cheese (or your favorite soft cheese)
  • Fresh dill
  • Capers
  • Lime slices

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, sugar, and ground black pepper.
  2. Rinse and pat dry the salmon fillet and lay it on a long piece of plastic wrap.
  3. Sprinkle all of the salt/sugar/pepper mixture on top of the salmon fillet.
  4. Lay the fresh dill on top and tightly (but gently) wrap the salmon so that there is no air inside.
  5. Place the salmon on a plate and refrigerate for two days.
  6. Unwrap the salmon and rinse off the salt and sugar and pat the fillet dry. Discard the dill.
  7. Using a sharp knife, slice the fillet diagonally so that you end up with the widest and longest cuts. Serve these slices by themselves, or on a cracker with capers, dill, and cheese.
  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 2 days
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Cuisine: Scandinavian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 oz
  • Calories: 90

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is gravlax safe to eat since it stays raw?

Use a sushi-grade salmon or one that has been previously frozen to at least -10°F to kill any parasites, since curing with salt and sugar does not cook the fish. The salt cure preserves and flavors it, but the salmon remains raw.

How long does the salmon need to cure in the refrigerator?

Two full days in the refrigerator, tightly wrapped in plastic with no air inside. After curing, rinse off the salt, sugar, and dill, pat dry, then slice diagonally for the widest cuts.

What do I do if I have a very large salmon fillet?

Cut the fillet in half, pack the flesh side of one piece with the salt/sugar/dill mixture, then lay the two pieces flesh-to-flesh before wrapping tightly.

Julia Mueller
About the Author
Julia Mueller

As a fitness and nutrition enthusiast, Julia writes a food blog called The Roasted Root, where she share recipes that are mostly vegetable and meat based along with stories of her travels and day-to-day activities. Julia loves enjoying fresh home cooked meals with her friends and family, and the process of developing recipes, photographing, and sharing them.

Julia Mueller has been a contributor to Honest Cooking since 2012.

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