Citrus Cured Salmon Recipe

Elevate your culinary game with this easy-to-follow recipe for homemade citrus-cured salmon. Forget store-bought lox! This recipe delivers incredibly flavorful, restaurant-quality salmon that's perfect for bagels, brown bread, or as a stunning centerpiece for any gathering. Impress your guests with its elegant presentation and vibrant citrus notes. Learn the secrets to curing salmon perfectly, resulting in a firm, delicious fillet that's bursting with fresh citrus flavor. This recipe is easy enough for weeknight meals and impressive enough for special occasions.

Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Calories 96.5 kcal
Protein 18g
Rating 5.0 (1 Reviews)
Citrus Cured Salmon 18

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Citrus Cured Salmon

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How to Make Citrus Cured Salmon

  1. Wash and pat dry one whole side of salmon fillet (approximately 2-3 pounds), carefully removing any pin bones.
  2. Optionally remove the skin; it can be easily removed after curing.
  3. Prepare a deep platter or baking dish to accommodate the salmon and excess liquid released during curing.
  4. Line the dish horizontally and vertically with two large sheets of plastic wrap, ensuring enough overlap to completely enclose the salmon.
  5. In a bowl, thoroughly combine the zest of 2 oranges, 1 lemon, and 1 lime with 1/4 cup kosher salt and 1/4 cup granulated sugar.
  6. Place the salmon skin-side down onto the plastic wrap in the prepared dish.
  7. Thoroughly massage the citrus salt-sugar cure into the fleshy side of the salmon, ensuring even coverage.
  8. Carefully bring the sides of the plastic wrap up and tightly seal the salmon, ensuring no air pockets. Refrigerate for 2-3 days.
  9. The salmon will become firm due to the liquid drawn out during curing. (No weighting down is needed).
  10. After curing, remove the salmon from the plastic wrap and thoroughly rinse the cure from the fillet.
  11. Using a sharp knife, carefully remove the skin.
  12. Wrap the salmon tightly in fresh plastic film and freeze for 12 hours.
  13. Remove from the freezer, unwrap, and using a very sharp knife, slice thinly on the diagonal, almost shaving the salmon.
  14. Serve your delicious citrus-cured salmon on bagels, brown bread, or in your favorite recipe. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

237 g

Sugar

39g

Fat

1g

Carbs

3g