Having leftover smoked salmon can feel like an embarrassment of riches. This luxurious and versatile ingredient can elevate everything from scrambles to salads, but it can be hard to think creatively when you’ve got more than you need lingering in the fridge
Never fear – with a little inspiration, those leftovers will become an exciting challenge rather than a burden. Here are 21 delicious ways to use up leftover smoked salmon and prevent any from going to waste.
Savory Smoked Salmon Scrambles
A smoked salmon scramble is a classic brunch dish for good reason. The combination of fluffy eggs, a hit of smoke and fresh herbs makes mornings brighter. Amp up your basic scramble with one of these flavorful spins
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Mexican smoked salmon scramble – Add diced avocado, roasted green chiles, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice. Serve with tortillas.
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Smoked salmon and spinach scramble – Wilted spinach adds nutrition, while feta or goat cheese lend tang.
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Eggs florentine with smoked salmon – Make it a meal with sautéed spinach and hollandaise sauce.
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Smoked salmon omelette – Fill with cream cheese, capers, and onion for a lox and bagels twist.
Elegant Smoked Salmon Appetizers
Leftover smoked salmon slices or flaked bits make quick, impressive starters for gatherings both casual and formal. Some party-ready ideas:
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Smoked salmon crostini – Top baguette slices with salmon, whipped cream cheese, capers, and minced red onion.
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Smoked salmon deviled eggs – Fold flaked salmon into the filling for classic deviled eggs.
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Smoked salmon dip – Purée with cream cheese, lemon, and fresh dill for a creamy spread.
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Salmon roe blinis – Top mini pancakes with salmon caviar and crème fraîche for an elegant passed appetizer.
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Beet-cured salmon – Give leftover raw salmon new life with a quick beet brine for vibrant gravadlax.
Nutritious Smoked Salmon Salads
Flake leftover smoked salmon into any salad for instant protein. Some nourishing combinations:
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Smoked salmon caesar – Toss with romaine, garlic croutons, parmesan, and a creamy dressing.
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Salmon niçoise – With potatoes, green beans, olives, eggs, and tomatoes.
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Smoked salmon chopped – With romaine, chickpeas, avocado, onion, cucumber, and buttermilk ranch.
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Salmon and farro – Mix with cooked farro, feta, peas, and lemon vinaigrette.
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Cobb salad with salmon – Top lettuce with salmon, avocado, egg, tomato, bacon, blue cheese, and ranch.
Hearty Smoked Salmon Mains and Bowls
Transform leftovers into satisfying entrées like:
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Smoked salmon fried rice – Flake into stir-fried rice with peas, carrots, soy sauce, and eggs.
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Bagel pizza with lox – Use mini bagels as the crust, cream cheese as the sauce, and pile with salmon and veggies.
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Salmon hash – Sauté potatoes, peppers, onions, spinach and top with a poached egg.
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Smoked salmon pasta – Toss with linguine, lemon, capers, olive oil, and parsley.
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Mediterranean salmon bowl – Serve salmon over hummus, cucumbers, olives, tomato, feta, and pita crisps.
Savory Smoked Salmon Breads and Toasts
Pile leftover smoked salmon onto bread for easy snacks, lunches, and breakfasts:
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Open-faced salmon toast – Broil bread with salmon, tomatoes, and parmesan.
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Smoked salmon bagel – With all the classic fixings – cream cheese, red onion, capers, tomato.
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Salmon melt – Make a pressed sandwich on rye with swiss and sauerkraut.
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Lox and corn fritters – Top corn pancakes with salmon and crème fraîche.
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Smoked salmon flatbread – Spread naan with pesto and goat cheese then top with salmon.
Smoked Salmon Bites and Small Plates
When you just want a little salmon, try these hand-held snacks:
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Salmon nori wraps – Wrap salmon, avocado, and cream cheese in nori sheets.
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Smoked salmon cucumber cups – Spoon salmon salad into cucumber slices.
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Salmon tartlets – Bake in mini phyllo cups with dill and crème fraîche.
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Salmon croquettes – Form patties with salmon, potatoes, and parsley, then pan fry.
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Smoked salmon sushi rolls – Substitute raw salmon for smoked in maki rolls.
With so many diverse ways to use up leftover smoked salmon, you’ll look at those extras as an opportunity instead of a chore. Get creative with scrambles, salads, pastas, snacks, and more. Your tastebuds will thank you.
So next time you have extra smoked salmon on hand, try out a new preparation. You may just find a new favorite way to enjoy this incredible ingredient. With inspiration and an open mind, leftover salmon opens up a world of delicious possibilities.
How to make gravadlax
While high-quality slices of smoked salmon are easily available from supermarkets and fishmongers, you can make a really similar cured variety at home with our easy gravadlax recipe. Its not as hard as it sounds and you dont need to own a smoke shack in the Outer Hebrides to get an authentic finish. Also view our video above for steps on how to prepare and flavour gravadlax.
Youll need the freshest salmon fillet you can buy, then the method is to cure (so strictly speaking its not smoked) over two days in a brine. Dont be scared of the fact you dont cook the fish over heat – the saltwater infuses the raw flesh and makes it edible.
Matt Tebbutt adds spices to his sherry and anise-tinged version, while our food editor Barney adds a splash of vibrant purple by marinating his salmon in beetroot. Gordon Ramsay, meanwhile, takes a Scandinavian approach and cures his salmon with dill to make gravadlax.
Our favourite ways with smoked salmon
Potted fish is a vastly underrated starter, traditionally made with crab, shrimps or mackerel. But a mix of both smoked and fresh salmon works a treat. Mary Cadogans version is a little like a paté in that the fish is flaked until fine and its spreadable. Pour the melted butter and lemon over the salmon and leave to set until a bright yellow hard layer has formed over the top. Divine!
Try adding smoked salmon to soup and achieve a finish similar to traditional Scottish cullen skink. Add your fish to a leek and potato base right at the end of cooking, so it retains its texture but impart that salty, smoked flavour.
Serve this smoked salmon dish as a starter on a special occasion such as at Christmas. With beetroot, rocket and walnuts, it‘s full of colour and texture. It looks impressive, but its deceptively easy to make, and youll even learn how to make your own labneh in the process.
Enjoy hot-smoked salmon flaked with coddled eggs, capers and gruyère cheese for a sophisticated Christmas starter. Served with sourdough soldiers for dipping, it’s also great for a leisurely breakfast or brunch over the festive holidays.
Weve layered classic smoked salmon with prawns and punchy horseradish cream, drizzled in a zingy lime, honey and ginger dressing to make a sophisticated starter. Finish with a few handfuls of leafy salad and you have a light and elegant appetiser, leaving ample room for heavier dinner party fare.
Pickle vegetables and serve with smoked salmon for a fabulous festive starter. Finished with a generous tablespoon of crème fraîche on each fillet and a spoonful of salmon roe on top, this makes a truly elegant starter to serve on Christmas day. Keep the leftover veg in the fridge to have with cold cuts over Christmas.
Savor the simple delight of smoked salmon slices, a delectable and versatile addition to your plate. If youve not tried salmon with eggs, we recommend you do so soon. Go for this delicious scramble for breakfast. Its guaranteed empty plates – who could resist mopping up buttery eggs with a Tabasco kick with a second helping of hot toast? Or, enjoy smoked salmon with coddled eggs, capers and gruyère cheese for an indulgent starter or brunch.
Enjoy a leisurely morning with our easy recipe for classic eggs royale. This popular brunch dish features perfectly poached eggs, smoked salmon and silky hollandaise sauce. Weve used miso paste for added savoury depth to the hollandaise, but you can leave it out should you wish.
Make a batch of potato scones to serve with smoked salmon and a dollop of soured cream for a levelled-up brunch or a weekend treat. The recipe calls for budget-friendly and readily accessible ingredients, such as Maris Piper potatoes, flour and butter.
Smoked salmon makes a delicious topping for scones, especially when paired with soft cheese like in our seeded bagel-inspired recipe. You can enjoy them with warm fried potato scones for a hearty brunch or try our recipe for mini potato cakes topped with smoked salmon and caper berries for a festive canapé.
Kick-start your day with scrambled eggs and hot smoked salmon or trout, on top of toasted dark rye bread and a tangy caper and rocket salad. Ready on the table in under 20 minutes, this truly is a breakfast of champions.
Easy Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe
FAQ
How long is leftover smoked salmon good for?
So, how long can we expect our smoked salmon to dance in the fridge? Well, on average, when stored right, it can strut its stuff for about 3 to 4 days sometime up to a week. But remember, trust your instincts! Give it a good look, a sniff, and a feel to ensure it’s still a safe catch.Jun 30, 2023
What is the best way to reheat smoked salmon?
Can you cook already smoked salmon?
What to do with smoked salmon besides bagel?
- Dutch Baby Pancake. EMILY HLAVAC GREEN. …
- Smoked Salmon Pasta. PARKER FEIERBACH. …
- Lox. June Xie. …
- Cedar Plank Salmon. ERIK BERNSTEIN. …
- Everything Deviled Eggs. CHELSEA LUPKIN. …
- Smoked Salmon Dip. Brandon Bales. …
- Creamy Smoked Salmon Cobbler. …
- Everything Cucumber–Smoked Salmon Bites.
What can I do with Leftover Salmon?
Whether you’re looking for quick lunch ideas or next-day pasta recipes, these creative ways to use leftover salmon will save you time and money in the week ahead. Got too much salmon? These easy and creative leftover salmon recipes include sandwiches, salads, pastas, and more. They’ll make your week even easier!
What can you make with smoked salmon?
For a festive canapé, try our recipe for mini potato cakes topped with smoked salmon and caper berries. Blitzing smoked salmon into a creamy pâté allows for use of thrifty fish trimmings. They are much cheaper than regular slices, and once they are cut up really small, no one will be able to tell the difference.
Can You repurpose baked salmon?
And even if you’re left with lots of baked salmon leftovers, there are so many ways to repurpose them night after night! Here, you’ll find out just how versatile salmon can be in meals. Not only can you serve it warm or cold, but the flavor of salmon can also vary (think Mediterranean-inspired, taco-spiced, and more)!
Can you use cooked salmon in a poke Bowl?
Classic poke bowls traditionally feature raw ahi tuna, but you can use cooked salmon as a fun spin. Load up your bowl with crunchy cucumber noodles and sesame carrot ribbons, quick pickled cabbage, rice, and a savory sauce. Here’s a leftover salmon recipe that’s basic but satisfies every time: Salmon Caesar Salad!
How do you make a smoked salmon sandwich?
Stir through the smoked salmon and chives, season with black pepper, then divide between 4 bowls. Garnish with the lemon zest and top with a handful of rocket. Little help For an extra-creamy sauce, add 2-3 tbsp mascarpone along with the créme fraîche.
Is smoked salmon good for You?
Smoked Salmon is the perfect breakfast, lunch or dinner protein. It is salty, not too fishy, and goes great with many things. If you’re anything like us, you bought a big pack of smoked salmon to feed your family during brunch and maybe you’re struggling to finish off the pack.