Classic Lox Recipe

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.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 02/26/24
Tested by Joan Velush
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Curing: 72 hrs
Total: 72 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 8 to 12 servings
Yield: 8 to 12 servings

Lox and bagels are a classic New York brunch dish that's now enjoyed around the world. But in general, the fish sitting atop the bagel is actually smoked salmon, not true lox, which is seasoned, salted, and dill-cured salmon rather than smoked. The curing process of lox is easier and quicker because the salmon isn't smoked, and the result is a sweet, tasty, and tender slice of salmon.

Lox can be used in many dishes: sliced thickly and served alongside potatoes, dill, and horseradish; on blini as canapés; or as the filling for a straightforward sandwich on rye bread. 

For a tastier and fattier lox, use squeaky fresh fish, and the center section of the fish, including the belly, rather than the thinner tail end. If you have any doubts about the freshness of the fish, buy a frozen piece or freeze it for 24 hours before curing it to ensure there are no parasites. If you're using a frozen piece of salmon, defrost it thoroughly before starting the recipe.

The lox will keep well in the refrigerator for five days. If you bought frozen salmon or froze it before curing, do not refreeze.

Classic lox sprinkled with dill and served open faced on bagel halves with cream cheese

The Spruce Eats / Qi Ai
What You'll Need to Make This Classic Lox Recipe
A Zippy Spice Grinder
A Shallow Baking Dish
A Sharp Chef's Knife

“Homemade lox is such a treat and perfect for a party or for the holidays. All it takes is a small amount of prep and a few days of curing in the fridge. Lox is perfect for brunch or as an outstanding appetizer. This recipe is easily halved to serve 4 to 6 people” —Joan Velush

Classic Lox Recipe/Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds salmon fillet, center cut, including the belly

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

  • 1/3 cup kosher salt

  • 2 teaspoons coarsely ground multi-color peppercorns

  • 3 juniper berries, coarsely ground

  • 2 cups finely chopped fresh dill

  • Red pepper flakes, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for classic lox recipe gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Qi Ai

  2. Cut the salmon in half crosswise into two halves. 

    Salmon cut in half across the fillet into two halves

    The Spruce Eats / Qi Ai

  3. In a medium bowl, combine the sugar, salt, pepper, juniper berries, dill, and red pepper flakes, if using.

    Sugar, salt, peppercorns, juniper berries, dill, and optional chili pepper flakes mixed together in a bowl

    The Spruce Eats / Qi Ai

  4. Place half of the salmon, skin side down, onto a long sheet of plastic wrap. Cover the flesh of the salmon completely with the sugar, salt, and pepper mix.

    Salmon covered with the sugar, salt, and pepper mix for curing

    The Spruce Eats / Qi Ai

  5. Place the second fillet flesh side down on top to create a "salmon sandwich." Wrap tightly in plastic wrap.

    Second salmon piece placed flesh side down and wrapped in plastic to cure

    The Spruce Eats / Qi Ai

  6. Put the "salmon sandwich" into a shallow baking dish, making sure the fish stands higher than the sides of the pan. Place a baking tray on top of the salmon and weigh it down with a heavy object such as canned beans, rice bags, or heavy books (cover in plastic wrap to avoid passing on fish smells).

    Salmon fillets wrapped in plastic in a baking dish

    The Spruce Eats / Qi Ai

  7. Put the fish into the refrigerator and leave it to cure for 3 to 4 days, turning the salmon twice a day or at least once every day. If there is any accumulated liquid, discard it and change the plastic wrap.

    Salmon curing to become lox in a baking dish

    The Spruce Eats / Qi Ai

  8. When ready to serve, remove the wrap, pour away any liquid and wipe away most of the sugar, salt, and peppercorns, leaving a little on for decoration. Slice as desired; thin for bagels, thick if it's meant to be the main course.

    Classic Lox in a baking dish with a knife scraping off the curing ingredients

    The Spruce Eats / Qi Ai

Recipe Variations

Add some kick to your lox with these variations.

  • Add alcohol: Vodka, gin, pastis, or Pernod are delicious ingredients to add to your cure mix. One to 2 tablespoons will add a lovely back note of flavor.
  • Enhance the color: Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of raw, finely grated beet to the cure mix. It will turn the salmon a glorious pinkish-red color, which is stunning on the plate.
  • Change the seasoning: Switch out the juniper for coriander seed, fennel (seed or fronds) or any other herb or spice you'd like. 

Why Is It Called Lox?

The name lox is a case of straightforward language translation. The word lox comes from the Yiddish word for salmon, lax, which in and of itself comes from the Germanic word for salmon—laks. Cured salmon in Scandinavian countries, for example, is known by different versions of the name gravlax, or gravad laks.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
347 Calories
19g Fat
9g Carbs
34g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8 to 12
Amount per serving
Calories 347
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 19g 24%
Saturated Fat 4g 18%
Cholesterol 95mg 32%
Sodium 1756mg 76%
Total Carbohydrate 9g 3%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 34g
Vitamin C 7mg 34%
Calcium 31mg 2%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 605mg 13%
*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.)