Aromatic Cured Salmon Recipe {Selyodka style}

Cured Salmon is a cross between a lox and gravlax. The fish is cured in the salty-sweet brine with spices then, eaten in chunks with a side of potatoes. A play on Selyodka Recipe this one is fancier, cleaner and a lot easier to eat, since no fish bones are involved in the process. Win-win-win!

Looking for hot smoked salmon or smoked salmon without a smoker instead? Click the links in pink.

If you like cold smoked salmon, lox or gravlax you already have the palate for this Cured Salmon. This version is a lot more fragrant though since spices such as coriander, black peppercorns, red pepper flakes, mustard seeds, and bay leaves are involved.

The prep process is also, super e.a.s.y!  Just combine all ingredients for the marinade, simmer and cool. Then add cut up salmon and leave in the fridge until ready, that is it!

Just in case you don’t know the difference between lox, smoked salmon and gravlax, let’s have a little basic rundown of definitions.

Lox is made by curing belly part of the salmon in a combination of salt & sugar.

Gravlax is made by curing salmon in a brine of salt, sugar, dill and possibly other spices. The dill and the spices are what differentiates gravlax from lox.

Smoked Salmon is usually salmon that is cured with salt (and sometimes sugar) then smoked using indirect smoke, where the heat is not applied, therefor the salmon retains its texture in the process, but absorbs the smoky flavor.

Coming from Ukraine where salmon is not as abundant and costs an arm and a leg, people made do with what they had available. Herring or selyodka as we called it, is a very popular type of fish in Ukrainian and Russian cuisine.

It is commonly cured in salty brine and then used in a Shuba salad (layered beet and vegetable salad with salt-cured herring), or eaten with a drizzle of oil, mixed with sliced onion and a side of potatoes.

This Aromatic Cured Salmon is a play on that Selyodka recipe, only instead of the herring, we are using a beautiful fillet of fatty, boneless salmon.

The Cured Salmon can be served atop a slice of dark rye bread as an appetizer, or with a side of boiled potatoes, mashed potatoes or baked potatoes for a dinner entree.

Now that you know all my tricks, get that salmon fillet and make yourself a jar!

Ingredients for Aromatic Cured Salmon {Selyodka style}

• salmon fillet (sushi grade or previously frozen to -4F or below for 7 days)

Salmon Marinade:

• water
• salt
• sugar
• coriander seeds
• peppercorns
• red pepper flakes
• bay leaves
• dry onion flakes
• mustard seeds
• pickling spice (optional)

Also: 

• oil
• onion, cut into 1/4 rings

MAKE THE MARINADE FOR CURED SALMON:

Combine all ingredients for the marinade in a small sauce pot and simmer for 3-4 minutes, then cool completely.

CUT AND MARINATE:

• Cut the salmon fillet into 1/2 inch by 2 inch little logs (or any other size and shape you wish).

• Combine the salmon and the cooled marinade in a jar, seal with a lid and refrigerate for about 24 hours.

• After 24 hours taste the salmon for salt. If it is salted to your liking then, drain the marinade and remove the spices off the fish.

• Next, paper towel dry all the pieces and add them to a jar. Pour oil on top, and shake well, to make sure the oil is between each piece of fish. This helps to preserve it.
• If you wish, you could add chopped sweet onion in with the fish and oil as well. I usually add the onion right before serving the fish, though.

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Aromatic Cured Salmon {Selyodka style}

5 from 6 votes

Cured Salmon is a cross between a lox and gravlax. It is cured in a salty-sweet brine with spices then, eaten in chunks with a side of hot baked potato. A play on Selyodka Recipe, this one is fancier, cleaner and a lot easier to eat, since no fish bones are involved in the process. Win-win-win!

Author: Marina | Let the Baking Begin

Course: Appetizer, Main Entree

Cuisine: Russian, Ukrainian

Keyword: cured salmon

Calories: 217 kcal

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1 lb salmon fillet, boneless, skinless sushi grade or previously frozen to -4F or below for 7 days

Salmon Marinade

• 2 cups cold water
• 1/4 cup kosher salt
• 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1 tsp coriander seeds
• 1 tsp pepper corns
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 3-4 bay leaves
• 1 tsp dry onion flakes
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tsp pickling spice optional

Also

• 1 cup oil
• 1 onion

Instructions

HOW TO MAKE AROMATIC CURED SALMON (SELYODKA STYLE)

MAKE THE MARINADE FOR CURED SALMON:

1. Combine all ingredients for the marinade in a small sauce pot and simmer for 3-4 minutes, then cool completely.

CUT AND MARINATE:

1. Cut the salmon fillet into 1/2 inch by 2 inch little logs (or any other size and shape you wish).
2. Combine the salmon and the cooled marinade in a jar, seal with a lid and refrigerate for about 24 hours.
3. After 24 hours taste the salmon for salt. If it is salted to your liking then, drain the marinade and remove the spices off the fish.
4. Next, paper towel dry all the pieces and add them to a jar. Pour oil on top, and shake well, to make sure the oil is between each piece of fish. This helps to preserve it.
5. If you wish, you could add chopped sweet onion in with the fish and oil as well. I usually add the onion right before serving the fish, though.

Recipe Notes

• Use the best quality fish you can find. It is best to use sushi grade salmon for this recipe, since the curing process might not be enough to make the salmon safe to eat. If using regular salmon, consume at own risk.
• If the salmon is not salty enough after 24 hours, place back in the fridge and keep checking periodically, until it is salted to your liking.
• If you have left the salmon in the marinade for too long and it is too salty, drain the marinade and fill the jar with boiled and cooled water to draw out some salt. Keep checking every couple hours to see if the flavor is to your liking. Then drain and proceed with the rest of the recipe.
• If you do not care for the flavor of spices, you can omit any or all of them. Just combine salt, sugar and the water for the brine.

Nutrition Facts

Aromatic Cured Salmon {Selyodka style}

Amount Per Serving

Calories 217 Calories from Fat 63

% Daily Value*

Fat 7g11%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Cholesterol 62mg21%

Sodium 7130mg310%

Potassium 570mg16%

Carbohydrates 14g5%

Sugar 12g13%

Protein 22g44%

Vitamin A 80IU2%

Calcium 32mg3%

Iron 1.2mg7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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If you’re looking for a recipe for actual Smoked Salmon (Hot method, using a smoker) check THIS one out.