How to Serve Smoked Salmon? Ideas for All Courses

Smoked salmon is a fatty fish that is best served with various accompaniments. It’s a little bit smokey, a little bit salty, and a lot delicious. Not only is salmon well-known for its beneficial properties and deliciousness, but it is also a delightful treat suitable for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Moreover, it’s also perfect for snacks and parties. So, how to serve smoked salmon?

Pasta, soups, cream cheese, scones, polenta, roasted vegetables, salads, mozzarella cheese, and eggs are just a few of the things that pair well with it. You can serve it with toasted bread or crackers, sandwiches, a topping on a rice dish, or stuffed cream cheese mushrooms.

Smoked salmon can make you feel fancy, even sitting at home in your pajamas. It’s a great addition to any meal and pairs well with various foods, so you can be sure to find something to go with it. Here are my ideas for what to eat with smoked salmon for each daily meal.

How to Serve Smoked Salmon?

Salmon is an oily fish used for thousands of years as a food source. The method used to prepare salmon varies depending on where you are in the world. The hot smoking process results in a tender texture and a milder flavor than cold smoking. In contrast, cold smoking takes longer for the finished product to reach its final state, resulting in a firmer texture with a bolder flavor profile.

One thing remains constant: hot and cold smoked salmon is a delicious, healthy snack that can be enjoyed in many different ways!

How to Serve Smoked Salmon as a Starter? 

Smoked salmon is so easy to make and eat that it can quickly become the star at a party. If you want to ensure your guests are satisfied with their appetizers, here are some tips for serving smoked salmon as a starter.

Canapes with Cream Cheese

These canapes are perfect for bringing to your next event. The salmon adds protein, and the cream cheese provides a creamy, smooth texture that complements the salty fish. Serve the salmon on crackers or bagels with cream cheese or butter and garnish with capers and dill. You can also add s few lemon drops.

These little bites are perfect for a party or just as a snack, and more importantly, they’re effortless to prepare, so they’re great if you need something last-minute.

Platter

Since smoked salmon pairs well with so many different foods, a platter is a natural choice and an excellent idea. Add some boiled eggs seasoned with ground pepper. Both pair perfectly with salmon.

Then, garnish the platter with red onion, cucumbers, avocados, cherry tomatoes, capers, bagel toast or crackers, and, of course, some cream cheese.

Mozzarella and Balsamic Vinegar

Smoked salmon and mozzarella make the perfect combination. The creaminess of mozzarella offsets the saltiness of smoked salmon, and the two flavors complement each other so that you’ll never want to eat either alone again.

Smoked salmon with mozzarella is something you can easily make at home with just a few ingredients: smoked salmon, sliced mozzarella cheese, tomato, basil leaves, and balsamic vinegar.

Just layer smoked salmon between a tomato and a slice of mozzarella and put a tiny fold of salmon on top. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar, and garnish with some fresh basil. You can also sprinkle some salt and pepper on top if you’d like! 

Egg Salad

Egg salad belongs to a group of super delicious and yet super easy-to-make salads that many people enjoy. And, what’s not to like? There are some boiled eggs, mayonnaise, a little bit of mustard, and some herbs to add to taste. 

But, if you decide to add smoked salmon to it as well, you will be surprised with a whole other level of deliciousness. 

Radish and Orange Salad

Sometimes we just can’t understand how some ingredients can match and create a perfect taste, but they do. Since smoked salmon pairs well with both zestiness of radishes and the sweetness of oranges, why not add it to a salad made of the two? Drizzle some olive oil and sprinkle some fresh dill and enjoy!

How to Serve Smoked Salmon for Breakfast? 

Eating smoked salmon for breakfast is the perfect way to start your day. It’s an excellent source of protein and is high in healthy fats, which keeps you feeling full longer. [1] Plus, it’s delicious! These are some examples of how to serve it.

Blinis

These thin pancakes made of buckwheat flour can be topped with sweet sauce and berries. But you will definitely not make a mistake if you add smoked salmon and cream cheese, which Eastern Europeans often do. 

Avocado Toast

Avocado toast is one of the favorite options for many looking for a healthy breakfast. 

Just toast some bagel or whatever bread you are using, put tomato, capers, and avocado and add a slice of smoked salmon on top for extra proteins and a better taste. Season with some ground pepper and drizzle some olive oil, and Bon Appetit!

Omelet

If you’re looking for a healthy, delicious breakfast that’s also easy to prepare and familiar, try a smoked salmon omelet. This is a perfect way to jazz up your breakfast routine a little.

Just prepare your omelet as you normally do, and top it with smoked salmon in the end while still hot. Delicious!

Another Version of Eggs Benedict

If an omelet is not your thing, you can try a typical American breakfast and give it a twist. Keep the two halves of an English muffin, a poached egg, and hollandaise sauce from the original recipe, but instead of the bacon, add some smoked salmon and create a healthier version of your favorite breakfast.

Scones

Scones are a popular choice for breakfast in England, and though they are similar to American biscuits, meaning they are often served with jam or butter, they can also be topped with smoked salmon and soft cheese and be eaten as savory instead of a sweet version.

How to Serve Smoked Salmon for Lunch? 

The fantastic feature of smoked salmon is that it can substitute meat and make your favorite pizza healthier or enrich any pasta dish. 

Top the Pasta

Just prepare your favorite pasta sauce without meat and toss some smoked salmon pieces on top. The creaminess of the pasta sauce and the taste of smoked salmon will blend together perfectly and provide a delicious but not-too-heavy meal. 

Fill the Pizza Dough

Instead of the breakfast suggestion involving avocado and salmon put on a baguette, the launch version calls for pizza dough filled with salmon instead of the less healthy version, such as salami or sausages.

Protein-Rich Salad

Having a salad for lunch or a light dinner is always a good and healthy idea. Put some fresh greens, add some goat cheese and boiled eggs, prepare a creamy dressing, then top everything with delicious savory smoked salmon.

Tacos or Sandwiches

For preparing smoked salmon tacos, you need to do exactly what you usually do when preparing them and just substitute whatever meat you normally use with the fish.

For a sandwich, you will need smoked salmon stripes, a bread bun, some olives, pickles, and, of course, cheese.

How to Serve Smoked Salmon for Dinner? 

You can serve smoked salmon for dinner in a variety of ways. Smoked salmon is an excellent choice for a dinner entrée. It’s easy to make, has a mild flavor that pairs well with other foods, and can be served hot or cold. 

Broccoli Cheese Soup

Broccoli and fish have a history, so pairing them is not strange. Broccoli cheese soup is a mild but delicious soup perfect for dinner, with a gentle flavor that combines perfectly with many things, including smoked salmon. 

You can choose to serve it with a smoked salmon sandwich or just take some smoked salmon stripes and top the soup with them. 

Fried Polenta

While fried polenta is always a fantastic option, it is often underrated because it lacks ideas on what to pair it with. Although many opt for prosciutto, smoke salmon stripes are a perfect substitution for it.

Pumpkin Gnocchi

Due to its lack of a fishy smell, smoked salmon pairs well with many dishes, including pumpkin gnocchi. You can top the pumpkin gnocchi with salmon filets and then eat them as you go.

Roasted Vegetables

Smoked salmon with roasted vegetables is a delicious main course recipe that requires no more than half an hour to prepare. There are a variety of flavors and textures in the vegetables. 

From green beans on the side to marinated Brussels sprouts, roasted zucchinis, or a mix of grilled veggies, you can serve smoked salmon with whatever you feel like.

Stuffed Cream Cheese Mushrooms

Mushrooms are always a wise choice whenever you don’t know what to pair a particular food with. And stuffed cream cheese mushrooms are already one of the favorites for any casual dinner or party. 

So, you will definitely not make a mistake if you add a bit of smokiness to the creaminess and earthy flavor of the mushrooms.

What Sauce Goes with Smoked Salmon?

If you’re looking for a sauce that pairs well with smoked salmon, look no further than one of these five options:

Hollandaise Sauce

This is one of the classics: butter, lemon juice or vinegar, and egg yolks seasoned with cayenne pepper. While you have probably gotten used to using Hollandaise sauce on eggs, its rich buttery flavor also pairs perfectly with smoked salmon. 

Lemon Herb Butter

Lemon herb butter is made from butter mixed with fresh herbs and lemon juice, making any dish luxurious. You can either garnish the salmon with it or spread it across the bread and eat it on the side.

Lemon Juice

You can go for an easy one and just squeeze some lemon juice over your salmon before eating! It’s light and refreshing without being too overpowering or heavy in flavor—perfect for summertime meals outdoors!

Minted Yogurt Sauce

You could mix yogurt with chopped fresh mint leaves and some lemon juice or white vinegar, then add salt and pepper to taste. This would be a refreshing accompaniment to your smoked salmon on top of crisp lettuce leaves, cucumbers, tomatoes, or carrots!

Aioli Sauce

This classic sauce pairs well with a lot of foods, but it’s especially excellent with smoked salmon because of its thickness and creaminess. 

Horseradish Sauce

This is a delicious, fresh-tasting sauce that’s perfect for serving with smoked salmon but also with roast beef and chicken. The bite of horseradish will cut through the fattiness of smoked salmon, and the heat will warm up your palate.

What Vegetables Pair Well with Salmon?

Salmon pairs well with a wide variety of vegetables, including asparagus, broccoli, carrots, celery root, cauliflower, cucumber, eggplant, green beans, mushrooms, and tomatoes.

This is fantastic since incorporating more vegetables into your diet can help you get enough vitamins and minerals for your body to function correctly. Plus, it can help keep you feeling full longer so that you’re less tempted to overeat later in the day!

What Fruit Goes Well with Smoked Salmon? 

Since salmon doesn’t belong to the group of fish with a strong smell and taste, you can consider pairing it with some fruits by combining the two in a salad or by incorporating the fruit into your main course. Some great choices include strawberries, apples, pears, grapes, and peaches.

What Cheese Goes with Smoked Salmon?

When it comes to pairing cheese and smoked salmon, there’s no wrong answer. The answer is all of them! You can opt for whichever you prefer, from salty cheeses to fresh mozzarella or ricotta to sheep’s milk cheeses.

When choosing the right cheese for smoked salmon, you need to consider whether you want the cheese to be mild or sharp. For example, a mild cheddar would be a good choice for the salmon if you are serving scrambled eggs. 

However, if you’re making an appetizer tray or dinner plate for guests who are already familiar with smoked salmon and enjoy it on its own, then a sharper cheese might work better. 

What Herbs Go Well with Salmon?

The best herbs to pair with salmon are rosemary, thyme, dill, and lemon balm. But there are also so many other herbs that go well with it, including oregano, cilantro, basil, and many more. 

You could choose them depending on how you serve your smoked salmon and what types of ingredients you are pairing it with.

What Goes with Smoked Salmon in a Sandwich?

When you’re trying to decide what goes well with smoked salmon in a sandwich, you can’t go wrong with cream cheese. It’s creamy and rich, and it pairs well with smoky flavors. You could also use sour cream or even mayonnaise if you like it. And don’t forget about sauces! Mustard is an excellent choice if you want something tangy and spicy, while horseradish sauce would be good too if you like things hot and spicy. Add some fresh dill and capers, and you are good to go.

Or, if you want something a bit more complicated, you can make a delicious poached egg sandwich by adding smoked salmon, arugula, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and avocado slices.