Smoked Salmon Appetizer

How to Serve Smoked Salmon

Smoked salmon is salmon that has been cured by either hot or cold smoke. While hot smoked salmon is smoked at a high temperature of about 120-180 F, cold smoked salmon, also known as lox, is first cured in salt for up to 24 hours before smoking it a lower temperature of about 75-90 F.

Though each method adds a different taste and texture to the smoked salmon, the end results are equally delicious. In this article, we will dive into some quick and easy recipes to serve smoked salmon, the nutritional benefits of smoked salmon, and more!

How to Eat Smoked Salmon

Once considered an extravagance, smoked salmon is today a staple in many pantries. While it is classically paired with bagels, there is so much more that you can do with this delicious food. In fact, it’s such a versatile ingredient that it can be easily weaved into any meal – breakfast, lunch, or dinner – with fabulous results.

Need to take your breakfast game up a notch? Add a thin slice of smoked salmon and a dash of sea salt and pepper to your avocado toast or basic toast and scrambled eggs combo.

In a mood to jazz up your dinner? Add some smoked salmon flakes to your baked potato along with a dollop of sour cream.

But that’s not all. From creamy smoked salmon dips to smoked salmon pasta or even smoked salmon frittata, the possibilities are simply endless if you are ready and willing to experiment. If you are new to the world of smoked salmon, here are five of our favorite smoked salmon recipes for you to kick-start your journey in style.

• Smoked Salmon and Cheese Cucumber Bites

If you are looking for a fancy smoked salmon appetizer to impress your friends at your next party, look no further because we’ve got just the thing! This smoked salmon with cucumber and cheese appetizer uses just a few ingredients and can be put together in under 30 minutes.

What you’ll need:

• 2 slices of smoked salmon, chopped
• 1 large English cucumber, sliced into thick rounds (about ¼ inch)
• ½ wheel brie, cut into small pieces
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, minced
• ¼ cup scallions, finely diced
• 1 tablespoon capers, chopped

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 375 F.
• Take an oven-proof skillet and arrange the brie chunks in a layer at the bottom.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes until the cheese almost starts to bubble.
• Mix the capers, garlic, and scallions into the cheese and return the skillet to the oven for another two minutes.
• Top each cucumber slice with the cheese mixture, smoked salmon, and dill to serve.

• Smoked Salmon Sandwich

If you are in a mood to experiment with smoked salmon, make sure to always keep fresh dill, scallions, and garlic in your pantry. They pair perfectly well with the slight saltiness of smoked salmon and are used in most of the best smoked salmon recipes, and this smoked salmon sandwich is no exception. For best taste, serve your smoked salmon sandwiches chilled.

What you’ll need:

• 1 loaf of bread, preferably whole wheat or multigrain
• 8 slices of smoked salmon
• 8 oz. unsalted butter at room temperature
• ¼ teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon each of scallions, dill, parsley, minced
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• kosher salt, to taste
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Method:

• Add the butter, garlic, parsley, dill, scallions, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to a small bowl, and mix well.
• Spread the mixture on eight slices of the bread.
• Place two slices each of the smoked salmon on four of the bread slices before topping them with the remaining four bread slices, buttered slice down.
• Cover the sandwiches, and place them in the refrigerator until the butter is cold.
• Cut off the crusts, and cut each sandwich into four small triangles to serve.

• Smoked Salmon Salad

Lunch or dinner, you cannot go wrong with this delicious, super-crunchy smoked salmon salad from Food & Wine. One of the reviewers on the website recommends adding some fresh garlic to the dressing, and we agree!

What you’ll need:

• 3 tablespoons, extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons, lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons, fresh dill, chopped
• Kosher salt, to taste
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 7 oz. baby spinach
• 6 oz. smoked salmon, cut into ½-inch strips
• 1 English cucumber, peeled and halved lengthwise before slicing into thin rounds
• 4 radishes, halved and thinly sliced
• 2 scallions, finely chopped

Method:

• Add the spinach, cucumber, radish, scallions, and smoked salmon to a large bowl.
• Mix all of the other ingredients together in a separate bowl to make the dressing.
• Drizzle the dressing over the salad, and toss well.

• Smoked Salad Cream Cheese Dip

We love this smoked salmon and cream cheese dip that’s not just easy to make but looks festive and elegant as well when paired with crackers or even bagels. And what’s more, you can even make it ahead and store it in the refrigerator to save time, making it one of the best smoked salmon recipes ever.

What you’ll need:

• 4 oz. smoked salmon, roughly chopped (about1 tablespoon separated for garnish)
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup sour cream
• ¼ tablespoon Tabasco sauce
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
• 2 tablespoons chives, chopped
• 2 tablespoons, capers, drained
• 8 oz. cream cheese
• Salt, to taste

Method:

• Blend the cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Tabasco sauce, and capers in a food processor until smooth.
• Add the smoked salmon, chives, and fresh dill and pulse until the salmon is finely chopped.
• Add salt to taste.
• Garnish the dip with the remaining tablespoon of finely chopped smoked salmon bits before serving.

• Smoked salmon carbonara

If you are wondering how to serve smoked salmon for dinner with ingredients that you already have in your pantry, this smoked salmon pasta recipe is for you! While the traditional carbonara pasta preparation uses bacon bits to beat the creaminess of the sauce, smoked salmon works equally well and will have your family coming back for seconds.

What you’ll need:

• 8 oz. spaghetti
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2/3 cup heavy cream
• 2 eggs beaten
• 4 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• 4 oz. smoked salmon, chopped
• ½ cup chives, chopped
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Extra virgin olive oil (optional) for garnish

Method:

• Cook the pasta according to package instructions.
• Melt the butter in a pan, and add the minced garlic to it. Cook for a minute until fragrant, and remove the pan from the stove.
• Combine the eggs, cream, butter/garlic mixture, and half of the cheese in a bowl.  Stir in the smoked salmon.
• Drain the pasta well, and return to the pan. Add the smoked salmon mixture and chives, and toss well to combine. The egg mixture should cook from the residual heat of the pasta and skillet.
• Garnish with the remaining cheese and a dash of olive oil before serving.

Is smoked salmon good for you?

When eaten in moderation, smoked salmon can be a good addition to a healthy diet. Nutrition-wise, smoked salmon is a rich source of protein (19-22g in 85g), vitamins (B and D), magnesium, selenium, and heart-healthy Omega-3 fats that can also improve your eye and brain health.

The recommended portion size for smoked salmon is 85g or 3 oz, which contains about 99 calories. However, since the sodium content in smoked salmon is on the higher side, talk to a medical professional if you have a history of high blood pressure or severe heart disease.

Where to Buy Smoked Salmon

Global Seafoods has one of the finest collections of smoked fish available online today. Not only do you get the assurance of top quality products, but you also get the added convenience of delivery to your door, superior customer service, long shelf life, and a 100% money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the product. If you are looking to buy smoked salmon locally, it may also be available at your neighborhood grocery store, specialty food shop, or fishmonger. Always buy your smoked salmon from reliable vendors for the best quality and taste.

When storing smoked salmon, the bottom shelf of your fridge, where it is the coldest, is the best spot. An unopened back will remain fresh for weeks. Once opened, transfer the remaining to a Ziploc bag or keep it in its original packaging tightly sealed. 

Hopefully, this article answers all your questions about what to do with that pack of smoked salmon you just bought. So, go ahead and try out these smoked salmon recipes in your kitchen, and tell us your favorite in the comments below!