Skip to main content

Beet-Cured Salmon

Make this recipe your thing. Serve this vibrantly hued cured salmon with an assortment of easily assembled herbs, pickles, seedy breads, and schmears.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Serves 8

Ingredients

2 teaspoons black peppercorns
2 teaspoons coriander seeds
2 teaspoons dill seeds
4 allspice berries
4 juniper berries
1 cup kosher salt
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1 (2-pound) skin-on, boneless salmon fillet
2 medium beets, trimmed, coarsely grated
1 bunch small dill, chopped
1 (1-inch) piece ginger, peeled, coarsely grated

Special Equipment

A spice mill or a mortar and pestle

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Toast peppercorns, coriander and dill seeds, allspice, and juniper berries in a dry small skillet over medium heat, tossing often, until very fragrant, about 4 minutes. Let cool, then finely grind in spice mill or with mortar and pestle. Transfer to a small bowl and mix in salt, sugar, and lemon zest.

    Step 2

    Lay salmon, skin side down, on a large sheet of parchment paper set on a large rimmed baking sheet. Pack spice cure on both sides of fish, pressing to adhere. Toss beets, chopped dill, and ginger in a medium bowl to combine; pack onto both sides of fish. Fold sides of parchment over salmon, then wrap tightly in plastic. Set another baking sheet on top of salmon and weight with three 28-oz. cans or the equivalent in cookbooks or other things you have in your kitchen. Chill 2 days.

    Step 3

    Unwrap salmon and wipe off aromatics and cure (don’t rinse). Thinly slice to serve.

  2. Do Ahead

    Step 4

    Salmon can be cured 3 days ahead. Rewrap after wiping off aromatics and cure and chill.

Read More
Put these out at a gathering, and we guarantee you’ll be hearing rave reviews for a long time.
Salmoriglio is a Mediterranean sauce with herbs, garlic, and olive oil. In this version, kelp is used as the base of the sauce.
This sauce is slightly magical. The texture cloaks pasta much like a traditional meat sauce does, and the flavors are deep and rich, but it’s actually vegan!
Berbere is a spicy chile blend that has floral and sweet notes from coriander and cardamom, and when it’s paired with a honey glaze, it sets these wings apart from anything else you’ve ever had.
This luscious chilled yogurt soup, packed with fresh and dried mint, is an incredibly refreshing and cooling appetizer during the summer.
Creamy and bright with just a subtle bit of heat, this five-ingredient, make-ahead dip is ready for company—just add crudités.
An espresso-and-cumin-spiked rub (or brine) gives this smoked chicken impressive flavor.
These decadent brownies feature a sweet, minty topping complemented by a rich dark chocolate ganache and mini chocolate chips for added texture.