Smoked salmon is a versatile ingredient that can be paired with a variety of foods and flavors. When carefully sourced and prepared smoked salmon offers a rich savory umami flavor profile along with healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Whether enjoying smoked salmon for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a party platter, these delicious pairing ideas will help you make the most of this tasty fish.
Creamy Dairy Products
Cream cheese is a classic pairing for smoked salmon. The cool freshness of the cream cheese balances the oily fattiness of the fish. To serve, simply spread cream cheese on bread bagels, or crackers and top with slices of smoked salmon. For an elegant presentation, pipe cream cheese onto cucumber slices and top with folded smoked salmon roses.
Other creamy dairy products also complement smoked salmon’s richness. Whipped cream cheese, creme fraiche, sour cream, yogurt, and mascarpone can all be swirled into dips or spreads for smoked salmon. A dollop of creme fraiche or sour cream on top of smoked salmon brings a pleasant tanginess. Greek yogurt mixed with lemon, dill, and capers makes a quick smoked salmon dip for crackers or vegetables.
Crunchy Vegetables and Fruits
The firm, flaky texture of smoked salmon benefits from contrasting fresh, crisp produce. Thinly sliced cucumbers and radishes paired with smoked salmon offer refreshing crunch. Julienned apples, jicama, celery, fennel, and Asian pear also balance the fish’s fattiness.
Citrus fruits like lemon, lime, grapefruit, and orange make bright acidic complements to rich smoked salmon. A squeeze of citrus juice or zest cuts through the oiliness. Pickled vegetables, like quick-pickled red onion, sauerkraut, or kimchi, provide tangy crunch next to smoked salmon.
Fresh Herbs
Fresh herb sprigs not only make smoked salmon look beautiful but also enhance its flavor. Dill, the traditional Scandinavian herb, brings out smoked salmon’s inherent savory qualities. Other fresh herbs like parsley, basil, mint, chives, and fennel fronds also pair well. Chopped herbs stirred into creme fraiche or mixed with olive oil and lemon make quick sauces for salmon.
Capers, Olives, and Pickles
Briny capers, salty olives, and tart cornichons are smoked salmon’s best friends. These sharp, piquant ingredients cut through the fish’s richness. Chopped capers and olives folded into cream cheese or creme fraiche add interest. Whole capers and olives surrounding smoked salmon on a platter provide pops of contrasting flavor. Quick-pickled red onions or cucumbers with smoked salmon make a tangy treat.
Eggs
Salty, rich smoked salmon teams up with creamy scrambled, poached, or hard-boiled eggs for a protein-packed meal. Eggs transform smoked salmon from an appetizer to a main dish. For an easy breakfast, top a toasted English muffin with smoked salmon, scrambled eggs, and chives. Or serve smoked salmon deviled eggs for a party. The yolks absorb the smoky salmon flavor beautifully.
Grains and Beans
Hearty whole grains and beans make satisfying complements to smoked salmon’s richness. Toss flaked smoked salmon with rice, couscous, quinoa, or lentils to turn them into a meal. Layer smoked salmon with white beans or chickpeas on toast for an easy lunch. Fold smoked salmon into risotto at the end of cooking for bonus savoriness. Enjoy smoked salmon in sushi rolls wrapped with sushi rice and nori.
Pasta, Pizza, and Flatbreads
Smoked salmon adds luxurious flavor and protein to all kinds of carb-based dishes. Swirl flaked salmon into pasta with peas, lemon, dill, and olive oil. Top flatbreads and pizzas with smoked salmon, creme fraiche, and onions. Bake smoked salmon directly into quiche or frittata for a savory brunch dish. Pair smoked salmon with crackers, breadsticks, or bread for easy appetizers.
Leafy Greens and Lettuces
Fresh greens provide bitter, robust counterpoints to smoked salmon’s richness. Toss watercress, spinach, arugula, endive, or lettuces with smoked salmon, avocado, grapefruit, and a lemony vinaigrette. Stuff smoked salmon into lettuce cups or wraps for portable mini-meals. Layer smoked salmon over massaged kale for an easy salad.
Avocado and Tomatoes
Buttery avocado and juicy tomatoes make perfect produce pairings for smoked salmon. The richness of avocado balances the fish’s fattiness, while tomatoes offer sweet-tart contrast. Mash avocado with lemon juice and dill, then serve the guacamole with smoked salmon. Top toast or crackers with sliced tomatoes, smoked salmon, and avocado. Enjoy smoked salmon tacos, wraps, or lettuce cups with chunks of avocado and tomato.
Cheese
Tangy, creamy cheeses complement smoked salmon’s flavor. Sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, pepper jack, cream cheese, goat cheese, feta, and ricotta all taste great with smoked salmon. Include smoked salmon in your next cheese board, pairing it with any harder cheeses you enjoy. Mix goat cheese or ricotta into an omelet or frittata with smoked salmon. Top crostini or flatbreads with smoked salmon and crumbled feta or goat cheese.
Sauces and Condiments
From creamy to tangy, sauces liven up smoked salmon in sandwiches, appetizers, salads, and more. Whip up quick dill or lemon aioli to dollop onto smoked salmon bites. Pesto, salsa, chimichurri, and tapenades offer herbaceous notes. Honey mustard, ranch, and blue cheese dressings make flavorful dips for smoked salmon. Balsamic reduction, ponzu, soy sauce, and teriyaki sauce contribute tasty umami. Hot sauce, prepared horseradish, and whole-grain mustard add delightful heat.
With so many possibilities, smoked salmon can be served morning, noon, or night. Always look for sustainably caught salmon smoked over natural woods. Then get creative with fresh produce, herbs, sauces, cheese, eggs, grains, and more to highlight smoked salmon’s best qualities. Any combination is sure to please a crowd or make an easy everyday meal.
How To Make An Epic Smoked Salmon Charcuterie Board:
Smoked salmon might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you’re thinking about assembling a charcuterie board. Since most of them use pork-based products such as salami and prosciutto. However, the refreshing taste of cold-smoked salmon and the intense flavor of hot-smoked salmon can add an extra layer of depth to your charcuterie board. Salmon also pairs incredibly well with most accompaniments, such as crackers and cream cheese! It can make for the perfect combination you never knew you needed. But, trust us, you will soon realize what a wonderful thing you have been missing out on!
The most important thing when choosing a salmon for your charcuterie board is to choose a high-quality, super nutritious, flavorful, and of course sustainable salmon. We personally recommend Oshēn Salmon which can be delivered directly to your door. You can learn how to cold smoke salmon HERE.
How you display your salmon charcuterie board can make all the difference. Choose a beautiful board or slate. Then choose matching dishes for your spreads, nuts, toasts, etc. Make sure to also choose spoons or knives that are smaller. We love forks for people to be able to easily fork their smoked salmon onto their own plate of toast.
Making a charcuterie board requires a lot of attention to detail! You have to make sure that the flavors go well together to avoid any clashes between them. Assuring that your accompaniments pair well with your meat is also crucial when assembling your charcuterie board.
Taste preferences vary according to each person but feel free to use the guide below as a starting point for your next smoked salmon charcuterie board. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try out different flavors, too!
Tom Kerridge’s Quick & Easy: Smoked Salmon & Scrambled Eggs
FAQ
What is smoked salmon best paired with?
Lemon wedges, cream cheese, capers and dill are the usual accompaniments to smoked salmon – often served on grain bread or bagels. I like smoked salmon served on bread, in omelettes, including in salads or just eaten plain.
What can I use with smoked salmon?
The classic option is to serve a slice of the fish on a pancake or blini, but try it out in homemade sushi with cold smoked salmon, in tortilla rolls with cream cheese, or on toasted crostini too.
What is a good combo for salmon?
Some good sides that pair well with salmon include roasted vegetables, grilled asparagus, a green salad, roasted potatoes, grilled corn, quinoa, couscous, wild rice, and sautéed spinach.
What flavors compliment smoked salmon?
- Fruits such as orange, lemon, lime , pineapple, and passion fruit.
- Vegetables such as zucchini, spinach, cucumbers, potatoes and tomatoes.
- Spices and extracts such as pickled horseradish, ginger, soy, black pepper and cardamom.