How to Make Quick Cured Salmon - Simply Quinoa (2024)

This is the best Quick Cured Salmon with a simple salt and sugar brine to serve for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner! It's soft, make-ahead and much cheaper than store-bought!

I love cured and smoked salmon as a treat at breakfast or brunch.

But when you make your own, it doesn't have to be just for a special treat.

This simple strategy to make tender, soft, and flavorful cured salmon is incredibly easy and mostly hands-off. Here's how to make four-ingredient cured salmon – an easy way to add protein to your favorite dishes.

Ingredients

You only need four ingredients to make the easiest cured salmon:

• Salmon. Choose a good-quality salmon that's fresh the day you buy it.
• Water. This makes the brine for your salmon.
• Sugar. You can use granulated or brown sugar.
• Salt. Kosher salt is the best for curing the salmon.

How to Make Cured Salmon

The brine for salmon takes at least an hour, but the flavor will be better if you cure for four to six hours.

To prepare the salmon, remove the skin with a long, sharp knife. You can also have someone at the store do this for you.

Next, make the brine by dissolving the sugar and salt in the water. Place the salmon in a bowl and submerge it in the brine. Cover the bowl and place it in the fridge for at least an hour and up to six.

Finally, remove the salmon from the brine, pat it dry, slice, and enjoy!

What to Eat with Cured Salmon

This is a fantastic protein topper for so many dishes! Here are some delicious ways to eat your cured salmon:

• On crispy tostada shells
• On a fresh salad, such as this Best Ever Massaged Kale Salad
• With bagels or toast as a brunch spread (so good on avocado toast)
• On a sandwich with cream cheese, sliced red onion and capers

Cured salmon is also great on its own with a spritz of lemon juice and some capers.

If you make this quick salmon recipe, be sure to let me know what you think with a comment below!