Mexican-Style Gravlax with Cilantro and Tequila
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Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons chipotle chile powder ancho chile powder, or a Mexican mix
- 2 tablespoons kosher or coarse sea salt plus more for seasoning
- 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1 cup finely chopped cilantro
- Zest of 1 lime
- 1 pound fresh salmon skin on, bones removed
- 2 tablespoons silver tequila
- 6 5-inch Flour tortillas or whole grain bread, toasted
- 1 cup Mexican crema
- 1 ripe avocado halved, pitted, chopped
- 1 lime halved
To Prepare
- Combine the cumin, chile powder, salt, pepper, sugar, lime zest and cilantro in a small bowl. Place the salmon flat, skin-side up, in a long baking dish. Make 10 to 12 1-inch slashes in the skin with the tip of a knife, just deep enough to reach the flesh. Rub 1/3 of the salt mixture into skin, then flip the fish over, spoon the tequila over the fish and rub the remaining 2/3 of the salt mixture on the salmon.
- Cover the fish tightly with plastic wrap, then place a slightly smaller baking dish directly on top of fish and weigh it down with heavy unopened cans. Refrigerate for 2-3 days, basting with the resulting juices each night and re-covering and weighing back down again.
- When ready to serve, remove the gravlax from the refrigerator. Thinly slice the salmon flesh, taking care not to cut through the skin and arrange the pieces on a platter. Serve with lightly toasted flour tortillas or toasted whole grain bread (keep warm in a clean kitchen towel, bread basket or tortillero), and let everyone garnish with the crema, avocado and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Comments
47comments inMexican-Style Gravlax with Cilantro and Tequila
Jules L
Oct 29
Hi Pati, thank you so much for all of your delicious recipes! Can I cure this for 4 days or is that too long?
Pati Jinich
Nov 19
I don’t see why not Jules 🙂
Steve
Jul 27
Pati, You’re my favorite chef on TV. I love to see the various sites that you visit in Mexico. I buy smoked salmon (Lox) at the store, but wondered about making this. Someone asked a slightly different question, so pardon if this is similar. Do you have to buy a specific grade of Salmon (ex: Sushi grade) for safety from parasites? this is one concern I have if I try to make it myself.
Pati Jinich
Jul 28
Sure Steve, go ahead and buy sushi grade, it is really delicious!
Joseph
Jul 01
IN Texas HEB carries fresh Salmon raised in their Fiords it is superior to farm raised Salmon raised in pens in USA. , They also carry Steelhead Trout raised in the Columbia River USA. it is more mild but fat content is excellent “” Good Appetite ” as my old associate. James Beard would say
Pati Jinich
Jul 03
Thanks for the suggestion Joseph 😉
Joseph
Aug 01
oh those fiords are in Norway. icy cold water. shipped packed in ice. I prefer mine on a plain bagel with a thin slice yellow onion this is a great recipe I use Vodka and fresh Basil but this TEQUILA recipe is Killer Good will make again and again. did not know Gravlax was made in Mexico is this just a twist created by you ” PEACEBWITHYOU ” ” Good Appetite “
Pati Jinich
Aug 14
So glad you liked my recipe Joseph, thanks!
Donna Lembo
Apr 30
This is so good will never have to buy it again in a package. Thank you for sharing this recipe. Have made it twice so far.
Pati Jinich
Apr 30
Awesome Donna, love to read your enjoyed this recipe 😉
Donna from NJ
Apr 28
I made this when I saw the episode on tv a month ago. Making it again today. It is so good.
Pati Jinich
May 11
Thanks Donna, this is one of my personal favorites 😉
Great. Brandi
Mar 22
HI, I love, love the Salmon gravlax oh my Y ippi. I love all your recepies, awesome an so are you. Keep them coming. Brandi. from Albuquerque, NM…
Pati Jinich
Mar 27
Thank you Brandi!
Django
May 13
What do I ask for at the fish market when buying this cut of salmon?
Pati Jinich
May 16
You can ask for a pound of fresh salmon with skin on but bones removed. Enjoy, Django!
JoyD
Apr 14
If I leave out the fresh herb how long will the spice mix last in a sealed container?? Will add fresh herbs when using.
Pati Jinich
Apr 19
Oh that will last a while, Joy. Enjoy the gravlax!
Christina Greer
Feb 01
Hi Pati!! I’m so excited about this recipe for Super Bowl!!
Just put tin into the refrigerator tonight… I’m a bit nervous that a little under 48 hours will leave the salmon uncooked?? How would know if its safe to eat?
Thanks!
Pati
Feb 02
Make sure to keep basting it with the juices each night, Christina…and re-cover and weigh it back down each time. The salt cures the salmon, so it’s safe to eat.
Erika
Jan 23
Hola Pati, felicidades por el show! The gravlox its such a delicious dish to share with friends. Thanks much!
Pati
Jan 24
I’m so glad you and your friends enjoyed the gravlax, Erika.
Kathleen
Dec 28
I have made this many times after seeing it on your show, everyone absolutely raved about it. God bless you and your family
Pati
Dec 28
So happy to hear that it gets rave reviews, Kathleen!
Marietta
Dec 21
Dear Pati,
I’m Polish and to make some changes and add excitement to our traditional Christmas Eve dinner I have been making your dish for three years now! We all love it. Thank you!!! I have a question or two… I always make a 2-pound salmon portion and double all the spice ingredients. Is that ok or too much? Also, I never take the spice layer off the fish before serving it sliced but I’m afraid it can be a little much for some people. Keeping the spices on is the correct way of serving it, right?
Pati
Dec 22
That’s awesome that you have been serving this for so long! Yes if you are using a 2-Lb salmon, double all the spices. I do leave the spices on when serving…but you can remove depending on your guests’ tastes.
Leah Castro
Oct 16
Pait- is there a substitute for Tequila? I’m sad to say I’m allergic to everything Agavé😢. I know it may change the flavor but this looks so lovely that I want to give it a try, plus I have everything to make this except Tequila. Thanks
Pati
Oct 18
You can skip the tequila and the gravlax will still be delicious!
Joseph. N "Good Eating "
Jul 01
hello. you can use Vodka as they use in Iceland and Norway
Jay
Sep 30
Thanks, Pati. Can we replace the tequila with anything, for people who can’t or don’t want any alcohol? Or is it OK to just leave it out?
Pati
Oct 06
Hi Jay! That’s no problem…you can skip the tequila and follow the recipe without it.
Ken
Sep 17
Once cured, how long will it last under refrigeration?
Pati
Sep 25
It will keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Judy
Jun 29
My husband and I loved this and I hAve made several times. One question though, why is there cumin and black pepper? It seems like cumin takes the place of the pepper in most recipes. Just wondering.’
Pati
Jul 05
I like the taste of the combination of all of the spices here. The cumin has a much more low tone than the pepper and the salmon seems to appreciate having both ; )
Chris Pepin
May 20
I am making this for a VIP event at the school. If I make it on Friday(memorial day weekend), will not be basted over weekend. I will come back on Tuesday. Will the quality hold up until my Thursday morning event.
My other option is to make it on Tuesday yet am concerned it will not be enough time to cure.
I was going to serve it with cumin and coriander scented bread.
Pati
May 20
Hello Chris,
Go ahead and make it on Friday, it will hold beautifully for Thursday. Make it, baste it and when you return, baste it again. Sounds relish with the cumin and coriander scented bread!
Carolyn
Mar 25
Could this be a tostada topping?
Pati
Mar 25
Surely!
Ana
Mar 01
This would be an amazing in a cucumber cup filled with creamed avacado, the gravlox and garnished with a piece of cilantro.
Pati
Mar 03
That sounds delicious, Ana!
Judy
Jan 11
I made this for Christmas morning and the family loved it! I have already made it again.
Pati
Jan 12
Hi Judy, So happy to hear everyone enjoyed the gravlax! Thank you for making it!!
Shelia Murray
Jun 18
Wow!!! I did it!!! I did it and it was AMAZING!! I can’t wait to try something else. I love that your show is on the Create channel.
Pati
Jun 18
GRRRRRRRRREAT, Shelia!
alex
Apr 17
Hi Pati,
Love your show! I want to make this, but my wife doesn’t like cilantro, can you recommend a substitute? Parsley? Thank you.
Pati
Apr 18
Hola Alex, Thank you! You can substitute any fresh green herb you prefer, such as parsley, chives…