Smoked Salmon With Dill Sauce

By
Elaine Lemm
Elaine Lemm
Elaine Lemm
Elaine Lemm is a renowned British food writer, classically trained chef, teacher, and author with over 25 years of experience writing about British food and cooking.
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Updated on 01/3/22
Gravadlax with Dill Sauce
William Shaw / Getty Images
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 20 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
705 Calories
47g Fat
32g Carbs
44g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 705
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 47g 60%
Saturated Fat 10g 48%
Cholesterol 142mg 47%
Sodium 4826mg 210%
Total Carbohydrate 32g 12%
Dietary Fiber 6g 22%
Total Sugars 18g
Protein 44g
Vitamin C 108mg 538%
Calcium 98mg 8%
Iron 4mg 20%
Potassium 747mg 16%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Cured or smoked salmon is a great, quick appetizer when served with veggies and bread, and it's the star of the classic bagel along with capers, onions, and cream cheese. But team it with our quick-made dill sauce, and you've got yourself a truly wonderful new way of eating this delicious fish.

Conveniently sold in stores, cured salmon should be a go-to when you need a dinner made in minutes, but people overlook it thinking it's only good for Sunday brunch. Use our recipe as your main course served with potatoes and salad, or keep it light and casual in a pasta dish cutting the salmon into strips and stirring it through hot, freshly cooked pasta, adding dill sauce to taste.

For this classic recipe, you can use either Scottish or Irish smoked salmon. If you're unable to find these, use any good-quality smoked salmon available. 

Ingredients

For the Dill Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard, or sweet Swedish mustard

  • 3 tablespoons white sugar

  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

  • 1 large egg yolk

  • 150 milliliters (5-ounces) vegetable or rice bran oil

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill

  • Salt, to taste

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

To Serve:

  • 12 large slices smoked salmon, or gravlax

  • 2 tablespoons rinsed capers, optional

  • Lemon wedges, for garnish

  • Fresh dill, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Place the mustard, sugar, and vinegar in a large glass bowl. Whisk lightly with a hand whisk until the ingredients emulsify.

  3.  Add the egg yolk to the sauce and whisk vigorously to form a thick, creamy sauce.

  4. Gradually add the oil, just a few drops at a time, whisking continuously. Do not rush this process or the sauce will split. When ready, the sauce should resemble a thick, creamy mayonnaise.

  5. Taste and then season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Finally,  stir in the chopped dill.

  6. Place the salmon pieces on a serving plate, sprinkle on a few capers, if using, decorate with dill and lemon wedges and serve the sauce on the side. This dish will serve six as an appetizer, or four as a main course fish. 

  7. Enjoy immediately.

Raw Egg Warning

Consuming raw and lightly cooked eggs poses a risk of foodborne illness.