Gravlax
AI-generated image
Gluten-free Nordic

Gravlax

Silky Nordic cured salmon rubbed with dill, citrus zest, sugar, and crushed peppercorns, then sliced thinly and served with a bright mustard-dill sauce.

25 min 6 servings Medium
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How to prepare

1
Pat the salmon completely dry with paper towels, then run your fingertips over the flesh and pull out any remaining pin bones with clean tweezers. Lay the fillet skin-side down on a sheet of plastic wrap large enough to seal it completely.
2
Mix the salt, sugar, dill, orange zest, and crushed peppercorns in a bowl. Rub the mixture evenly over the flesh, then drizzle with the aquavit if using.
3
Seal the seasoned salmon tightly in the plastic wrap and place it skin-side down in a shallow dish. Refrigerate for 36 to 48 hours, turning the parcel every 12 hours; each time, spoon any collected curing liquid back over the fish before resealing and returning it to the dish.
Wrapped salmon fillet curing in a shallow dish with dill and orange zest AI-generated image
4
Whisk the mustard, honey, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Gradually whisk in the oil until the sauce is glossy and lightly thickened.
5
Unwrap the salmon and scrape away the cure. Pat the surface dry; do not rinse it, as rinsing can dilute the flavor and soften the texture.
6
Slice the salmon very thinly on a diagonal, leaving the skin behind. Arrange the slices on a chilled platter, spoon over some mustard sauce, and serve with extra dill.
Thinly sliced gravlax arranged with mustard sauce, dill, lemon, cucumber, and crispbread AI-generated image

Why this recipe works

The salt draws out excess moisture while sugar rounds the cure, and the dill, citrus, and peppercorns add a fresh aromatic counterpoint to the rich salmon. Turning the fillet during curing keeps the seasoning balanced.

Storage and reheating

How to store it

Keep the cured salmon tightly wrapped and refrigerated at 0–4°C. Use within 3 days of slicing, and keep the sauce refrigerated separately for up to 4 days.

How to reheat it

Do not reheat. Gravlax is served chilled.

Nutrition / serving

460kcal
31.45 gprotein
13.60 gcarbs
29.59 gfat
P
Pantryvale editorial kitchen
Recipe prepared for publication with complete ingredients and ordered cooking steps.
Published 21 Aug 2026 · updated 21 Aug 2026