Elevate your gravlax with a variety of delightful side dishes. Scotch mustard-dill sauce adds a creamy, tangy balance. Serve with rye bread, crackers, or crispbreads topped with butter for a hearty base. Pickled red onions, capers, and lemon slices infuse brightness and tang. For salads, consider cucumber or radish and herb, and beet and apple or avocado and tomato for added crunch and flavor. Fresh herbs like dill and chives enhance both aroma and taste. Don't forget classic matches like hard-boiled eggs and mustard potato salad. Each side dish enhances the rich, buttery flavors of gravlax wonderfully. Discover more delightful pairings next!
Dill and Mustard Sauce
A quintessential accompaniment to gravlax is the Scandinavian Mustard-Dill Sauce, which enhances the dish with its creamy, tangy, and herbaceous flavors.
This traditional sauce is crafted by boiling Linie aquavit, then whisking it with mustard, vinegar, heavy cream, and fresh dill.
The sauce, once refrigerated, perfectly complements the rich taste of gravlax, making it an essential part of the overall dining experience.
Rye Bread or Crackers
Rye bread and crackers are traditional accompaniments that provide the perfect base for enjoying the rich flavors of gravlax.
Rye bread, with its dense texture and slight tang, pairs wonderfully with the buttery salmon, creating a satisfying bite.
Crackers, available in various flavors and textures, offer a crunchy and neutral platform, enhancing the dining experience by allowing the gravlax to shine.
Pickled Red Onions
Complementing the robust flavors of rye bread or crackers, pickled red onions introduce a revitalizing and vibrant element to gravlax platters. Made by soaking thinly sliced red onions in vinegar, sugar, and salt, they enhance the dish's texture and color.
The pickling process provides a rejuvenating contrast to the rich, savory notes of gravlax, making them a visually appealing and flavorful addition.
Cucumber Salad
Cucumber salad, with its invigorating texture and tangy flavor, serves as an ideal counterpart to the rich and buttery taste of gravlax. This revitalizing side dish, made with thinly sliced cucumbers, onions, dill, vinegar, and sugar, adds a crunchy element that balances the flavors of the cured salmon.
Easy to prepare and make ahead, it's a convenient addition to your meal.
Radish and Herb Salad
Often served alongside gravlax, radish and herb salad offers an invigorating and colorful addition to the meal. This revitalizing side, featuring thinly sliced radishes and fresh herbs like dill or parsley, pairs beautifully with smoked salmon.
The peppery crunch of radishes and the burst of freshness from herbs, all dressed in a light vinaigrette, complement the buttery taste of gravlax perfectly.
Creamy Horseradish Dip
Providing a tangy kick, creamy horseradish dip is a classic and flavorful accompaniment to gravlax. This cream sauce, made from smooth ingredients and zesty horseradish, perfectly balances the rich, savory notes of gravlax or smoked salmon.
Ideal for dipping or spreading on bread or crackers, it enhances the overall dining experience by adding a delightful contrast in texture and taste.
Potato Rösti
Complementing the tangy kick of creamy horseradish dip, potato rösti offers a hearty and satisfying side that enhances the rich flavors of gravlax.
This Swiss dish, made from grated potatoes, is pan-fried in olive oil until crispy outside and tender inside. Seasoned with salt, pepper, and sometimes onions or herbs, it pairs perfectly with the buttery, delicate texture of salmon.
Beet and Apple Salad
Pairing the earthy flavors of beets with the crisp sweetness of apples, Beet and Apple Salad serves as an invigorating and visually appealing side dish to accompany gravlax.
Enhanced with fresh dill and a splash of lemon juice, this salad balances sweet, savory, and acidic notes.
Its vibrant colors and nutritious boost from vitamins and minerals make it an excellent choice.
Capers and Lemon Slices
In addition to vibrant salads, capers and lemon slices offer a tangy and citrusy complement to the rich flavors of gravlax. Capers, with their briny zest, balance the buttery texture of the cured salmon.
Lemon slices, with their invigorating acidity, cut through the richness, enhancing the dish's overall taste and presentation. Together, they elevate the gravlax to a delightful culinary experience.
Crispbread With Butter
Crispbread with butter serves as a quintessential Scandinavian side for gravlax, offering a delightful textural contrast and enhancing the overall flavor profile of the dish.
The crunchy crispbread, paired with creamy butter, complements the tender gravlax perfectly.
For added richness, you might spread some cream cheese and sprinkle chopped dill, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that truly elevates your culinary experience.
Avocado and Tomato Salad
An Avocado and Tomato Salad provides an invigorating and nutritious accompaniment to the richness of gravlax. Featuring ripe avocados, juicy tomatoes, and red onions, it pairs beautifully with Atlantic salmon.
This vibrant salad, dressed in a tangy vinaigrette, offers healthy fats and antioxidants. The creamy avocado and acidic tomatoes, perhaps with a dollop of sour cream, enhance the gravlax platter delightfully.
Fresh Dill and Chives
Sprinkling freshly chopped dill and chives over gravlax not only enhances its visual appeal but also elevates the dish with their distinct aromatic and mild onion-like flavors.
Fresh dill, a traditional herb, imparts a unique aroma, while chives add a subtle onion taste. These herbs make gravlax not just look vibrant but also taste exceptionally fresh, making your culinary experience delightful.
Hard-Boiled Eggs
Hard-boiled eggs serve as a classic accompaniment to gravlax, providing an additional layer of protein and texture to the dish.
Easy to prepare, they contrast the salty and buttery flavors of gravlax with their rich, creamy taste.
Sliced and served alongside gravlax on toasted sourdough, hard-boiled eggs create a balanced and delicious pairing that complements the Scandinavian flavors beautifully.
Mustard Potato Salad
Mustard Potato Salad is a classic and versatile side dish that pairs exceptionally well with gravlax. It enhances the flavors of gravlax with a tangy and creamy dressing. The salad combines boiled potatoes with a mustard dressing, fresh dill, and a hint of brown sugar, creating a satisfying and flavorful accompaniment.
Whether served warm or cold, this dish harmonizes beautifully with the rich, delicate taste of gravlax.
Are the Same Side Dishes Suitable for Serving With Both Gravlax and Foie Gras?
When serving both gravlax and foie gras, it’s important to choose the best side dishes for foie gras that complement each dish. For gravlax, consider serving it with a dill and mustard sauce, while foie gras pairs well with a port wine reduction or fig chutney. Choose wisely to enhance the dining experience.
Mixed Greens With Citrus Dressing
Mixed greens with citrus dressing provide a revitalizing and tangy complement to the rich flavors of gravlax.
The zesty citrus dressing balances the savory salmon, offering a light and healthy side.
Serve this vibrant salad on a plate wrapped in plastic wrap for freshness, alongside toasted sourdough, to create a well-rounded, satisfying, and aesthetically pleasing dining experience.