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Smoked salmon feels like a treat, but it is one of the easiest things to cook with. It needs no cooking at all for most of these ideas, so it works for busy days and for last minute company. I like to keep a package in the fridge for the weeks when the holidays fill the calendar.
Here are 12 smoked salmon recipes, from party dips and pinwheels to pasta, breakfast dishes and a warm chowder. Each one says what it is and how to make it. If you want more quick meals after this, our 30 minute dinners are a good next stop.
1. Smoked salmon dip
SaveCredit: Once Upon a Chef
This creamy dip is the first thing I make when company is coming. It takes about 10 minutes and disappears fast.
Blend cream cheese with a little sour cream, lemon juice and fresh dill, then pulse in the salmon so some chunks stay. Chill it for an hour and serve with bagel chips or crackers. The salmon is already salty, so taste before you add any salt.
2. Smoked salmon pinwheels
SaveCredit: Savor the Best
Pinwheels are a pretty make ahead appetizer for holiday parties and baby showers.
Spread herby cream cheese over thin slices of salmon, roll them up tightly and wrap in plastic. Chill for at least an hour so they slice cleanly. Thin, pliable slices of cold smoked salmon roll the easiest.
3. Creamy smoked salmon pasta
SaveCredit: Unpeeled Journal
When you want a real dinner in about 20 minutes, this pasta is hard to beat. It feels fancy but uses just a few ingredients.
Warm the salmon gently in butter, lemon juice and cream, then toss in the drained pasta with a splash of pasta water to loosen the sauce. Finish with chives. Add the salmon off the heat so it does not turn tough.
4. Smoked salmon cucumber bites
SaveCredit: Delicious Meets Healthy
These no cook bites are light, crunchy and ready in about 15 minutes. They are lovely for summer gatherings and for anyone skipping bread.
Slice a cucumber into thick rounds, top each with a dab of cream cheese and a little rose of salmon, and finish with dill. Assemble them close to serving time so the cucumber stays crisp.
5. Smoked salmon appetizers on rye
SaveCredit: Peter’s Food Adventures
Only four ingredients and a few minutes. Dark rye bread gives these little bites a nice earthy flavor.
Cut small rounds from rye bread, spread them with cream cheese and drape a piece of salmon on each. A sprig of fresh dill on top is all the dressing they need. They are a good choice for a quick snack tray.
6. Scrambled eggs with smoked salmon
SaveCredit: James Martin Chef
If you keep hens, this is a splendid way to use a few extra eggs for a weekend breakfast.
Cook beaten eggs with a splash of cream and butter over low heat, stirring gently, then fold in sliced salmon at the end. Spoon the eggs over toasted sourdough and add a few greens on the side.
7. Smoked salmon breakfast bowl
SaveCredit: Fork in the Road
A breakfast bowl is a hearty way to start a long day outside. Potatoes, greens, eggs and salmon share one bowl.
Boil small potatoes until tender, then crisp them in butter in a skillet. Add sauteed greens, a soft boiled egg and flaked salmon. Make the potatoes the night before to save time in the morning.
8. Smoked salmon crostini
SaveCredit: The Jam Jar Kitchen
Crostini are a classic party starter. Crisp toasts, creamy topping and salty salmon make a good bite.
Brush baguette slices with oil and bake until crisp. Top with herbed cream cheese, a fold of salmon and a few capers. You can bake the toasts a day ahead and keep them in an airtight container.
9. Smoked salmon eggs Benedict
SaveCredit: The Endless Meal
Brunch for a holiday morning. Smoked salmon takes the place of the ham, and the hollandaise makes it feel special.
Toast a bagel or English muffin, add a layer of salmon and a poached egg, and spoon the sauce over the top. Capers and thin red onion add a salty, sharp bite. Poach the eggs just before serving.
10. Smoked salmon bagel
SaveCredit: Sunset
The classic deli sandwich is simple and good. It is a great way to use the salmon left in the package.
Toast the bagel and spread it with cream cheese. Layer on cucumber, salmon, thin red onion and a few capers. Pack it in parchment for a picnic or lunch in the field.
11. Smoked salmon potato rosti
SaveCredit: RecipeTin Eats
Crisp potato cakes with salmon on top make a lovely starter or brunch plate. If you grow potatoes, they are a fun way to use them.
Grate potatoes, squeeze out the water and fry little cakes in butter until golden and crisp. Top each with a soft dollop of sour cream, a fold of salmon and a squeeze of lemon. Squeezing the potato dry is the secret to crispy cakes.
12. Smoked salmon chowder
SaveCredit: The Daring Gourmet
On a cold evening, a pot of chowder warms the whole house. Smoked salmon gives it a deep, cozy flavor.
Simmer potatoes with onion and celery in broth, stir in cream, and add the salmon in the last few minutes. Serve with crusty bread. Chowder is often even better the next day, so it is a good one for leftovers.
Tips for cooking with smoked salmon
There are two kinds. Cold smoked salmon, often sold as lox or nova, is silky and sliced thin, and it is best for dips, rolls and toppings. Hot smoked salmon is cooked and flakes like grilled fish, so it is better in chowder, pasta and salads.
Smoked salmon is already salty, so taste your dish before adding salt. Add it at the end when you cook, since heat can make it dry and tough. Keep an opened package covered in the fridge and use it within a few days, and follow the date on the package.
Smoked salmon recipes FAQ
What goes well with smoked salmon? Cream cheese, cucumber, capers, red onion, lemon and fresh dill are the classic partners. Eggs and potatoes work well too.
Can I cook with cold smoked salmon? Yes, but warm it gently. Fold it into hot pasta or eggs at the very end so it just warms through.
Which recipes can I make ahead? The dip and the pinwheels are best made ahead and chilled. Chowder tastes even better the next day, and the crostini toasts can be baked a day early.
