Salmon Gravlax with Beets (2024)

Author: Peter Kolesnichenko · Published: Dec 19, 2018 · Modified: Nov 16, 2021

Salmon Gravlax is the recipe you need for your next brunch or dinner party! The beets make the cured salmon a crazy pink color that will be the showstopper of the night. A luxurious and decadent salmon appetizer without the price tag!

Salmon Gravlax is a delicious appetizer, with origins in Scandinavia. I love making homemade Gravlax, an easy recipe that looks really fancy when you are serving it.

How to Serve Salmon Gravlax

Most commonly, Gravlax is served as an appetizer or hors d'oeuvres for a dinner or co*cktail party. Otherwise you can serve with your champagne brunch, or just for a fancy breakfast! Here are some ideas

• Salmon Gravlax on Dark Rye Bread Circles
• Serve with bagels smothered with cream cheese and thinly sliced onions
• Cucumber Slices with sliced Gravlax
• Crackers with Cream Cheese - topped with Gravlax
• Gravlax in a sandwich with dill mustard sauce, red onion, lettuce and avocado
• Sliced baguettes with dill and caper cream cheese
• Serve alongside Caviar for a Champagne Brunch
• With a Dill Pickle and a shot of Vodka!

Is Gravlax Raw?

Gravlax isn't raw, but it's not cooked either. It's cured salmon made in salt, sugar, dill, and in this recipe, lots of grated beets. There are many different ways to cure meats. Some people use brining, smoking or drying. Gravlax is always cured with salt. Examples of cured meat are beef jerky, biltong or smoked salmon.

Lox vsSmoked SalmonvsGravlax

There are several different ways to cure fresh salmon. But what are the differences? Lox is cured in a salty brine and is usually made from a fillet of a salmon's belly. Lox comes from the Yiddish worklaks and can be easily found in grocery stores.

Smoked Salmon obviously uses smoke to cure. It can be made with hot smoke or cold smoke, but that changes the texture. Hot Smoked Salmon will be flaky, and Cold Smoked Salmon will be similar to Lox or Gravlax.

Gravlax is known as Gravadlax, and here in Australia as Gravalax. As mentioned before, it's traditionally cured with salt, sugar, dill and spices. This Beetroot Gravlax has extra flavor from the grated beets which pair perfectly with the dill, lots of dill. I add juniper berries and vodka to my Gravlax cure.The flavors of this Beet Gravlax remind me of a Shuba Salad with Salmon, which is popular dish in Russia.

How to Make Beetroot Salmon Gravlax Recipe

Always use fresh salmon. Don't use frozen salmon that's been thawed. Try to use sushi quality salmon if it's available. Never skimp on price on fresh seafood, always get the best you can afford.

I use a pestle and mortar to smash together the juniper berries with the black peppercorns. This gives a wonderful aroma and a subtle flavor to the gravlax. If you can't find juniper berries in the store, then you can use gin instead of vodka (which has juniper berries in it).

Mix together all the ingredients and cover the fresh salmon. I usually use a Kosher Salt, but in this recipe I used a Himalayan salt, just to keep with the pink theme. Some people wrap the salmon tightly in cling wrap. Place the beet covered salmon in a glass pan, and cover it with cling wrap loosely placed, with a heavy item over it. The heavy item helps move the moisture out of the salmon, helping the curing process. I used a brick that I wrapped in foil.

The raw salmon will firm up as it cures, usually over 2 or 3 days. Make sure you rinse off the salt from the Gravlax. You won't wash off the beautiful pink color as it's penetrated the salmon, along with the flavors. To serve your Beetroot and Dill Gravlax, slice it thinly against the grain. The salmon usually keeps 4-5 days in the fridge, if it lasts that long!

Recipe Tips

• You can cure any oily fish to make Gravlax - Salmon is most commonly used, a large Trout Fillet works great too
• If you don't have juniper berries, substitute Vodka with Gin
• Try to find Juniper Berries, they really add an amazing depth
• Always use fresh salmon - don't use frozen salmon that's been thawed
• Add some creamed horseradish to your beet mix when curing the salmon
• Use a sharp knife to thinly slice your salmon
• Freeze your cured salmon to enjoy at later date

Salmon Recipes You Need To Check Out!

• Shuba Salad with Salmon - Looks like a cake, but more like a potato salad!
• Salmon Kulebyaka - Traditional Russian Fish Pie
• Ukha - Russian Fish Soup
• Finnish Salmon Soup
• Smoked Salmon Appetizers on Rye

Bright Pink Beetroot Gravlax with dill, juniper berries and vodka is easier to make than you think. Everyone will be impressed with this Nordic appetizer. Also known as Beetroot Gravadlax, perfect showstopper for your next dinner party.Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!

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