Ready-to-eat smoked salmon is a versatile ingredient that can be served in many delicious ways This flavorful fish adds a savory, smoky taste to everything from breakfasts to dinners With its rich texture and nutty, salty flavor, smoked salmon pairs well with a variety of foods and ingredients. In this article, I’ll explain different serving ideas to inspire you to incorporate smoked salmon into your meals.
An Overview of Smoked Salmon
Smoked salmon begins as fresh salmon that is cured and cold-smoked over wood chips. This process cooks the fish while infusing it with a smoky flavor The result is salmon with a firm, flaky texture and deep orange-red color
Compared to regular smoked salmon, ready-to-eat smoked salmon is a convenience product that requires no additional cooking. It has been pre-sliced and packaged for immediate use straight from the pouch. This makes it a quick protein to add to sandwiches salads pastas, pizzas and more. It needs only a few minutes to thaw before serving if using frozen smoked salmon.
Smoked salmon is rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids, high quality proteins, vitamins D, B12 and B6, and minerals like selenium. It packs a nutritional punch in every serving.
Below are many appetizing ways to enjoy ready-to-eat smoked salmon so you can take advantage of this satisfying and healthy fish.
Simple Serving Ideas for Smoked Salmon
These quick ideas make it easy to add smoked salmon to a meal or snack:
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Enjoy smoked salmon on its own as an appetizer. Serve with crackers, bread or vegetables.
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Pile smoked salmon on bagels, toast or English muffins. Top with cream cheese, sliced tomatoes, red onion, capers, fresh dill or lemon wedges.
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Toss chunks or flakes of smoked salmon into salads, pasta dishes, risottos and grain bowls.
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Make smoked salmon tacos with lettuce, pico de gallo and lime crema.
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Fold smoked salmon into an omelet or scrambled eggs.
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Mix smoked salmon into hash browns or home fries.
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Use in place of raw salmon to make smoked salmon sushi rolls.
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Top baked potatoes with smoked salmon, sour cream, green onions and lemon juice.
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Stir smoked salmon into creamy dips and spreads.
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Add to pizza, flatbreads or bruschetta 5 minutes before baking.
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Stuff smoked salmon into a baked potato skin or phyllo dough pocket.
Smoked Salmon Appetizers
Smoked salmon makes an elegant, protein-packed addition to any appetizer spread. Here are some smoked salmon appetizer ideas your guests will love:
Smoked Salmon Bites
Top crackers or cucumber slices with smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers and fresh dill.
Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs
Mix flaky smoked salmon into the yolk filling of deviled eggs.
Smoked Salmon Canapés
Top baguette slices with smoked salmon, lemon-dill cream cheese, tomato and red onion.
Smoked Salmon Pinwheels
Spread tortillas with cream cheese. Top with smoked salmon and vegetables then roll up.
Smoked Salmon Dip
Blend smoked salmon, cream cheese, lemon juice, scallions and horseradish for a zesty dip.
Smoked Salmon Tartare
Finely chop smoked salmon and fold in capers, shallots, olive oil and lemon zest. Serve on endive leaves.
Creative Smoked Salmon Salads
The rich flavor of smoked salmon pairs perfectly with the fresh ingredients in salads. Toss it into these creative smoked salmon salad recipes:
Greek Quinoa Salad
Mix smoked salmon with quinoa, cucumbers, olives, tomatoes, feta and lemon vinaigrette.
Salmon Niçoise Salad
Combine smoked salmon, green beans, potatoes, hard boiled eggs, olives, tomatoes, greens and a Dijon dressing.
Smoked Salmon Caesar Salad
Top romaine lettuce with smoked salmon, croutons, parmesan and creamy Caesar dressing.
Salmon & Spinach Salad
Toss baby spinach, smoked salmon, strawberries, pecans and red onion with a poppyseed dressing.
Asian Salmon Salad
Marinate smoked salmon in soy sauce, sesame oil, lime juice and chili sauce. Mix with cabbage, edamame, carrots, cilantro and peanuts.
Easy Smoked Salmon Meals & Mains
Smoked salmon can transform simple meals into satisfying entrées with its savory umami flavor.
Smoked Salmon Omelet
Add flaked smoked salmon to an omelet filling along with cream cheese, tomatoes, onions or greens.
Smoked Salmon Pasta
Toss smoked salmon with hot pasta, olive oil, garlic, capers, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach and lemon zest.
Smoked Salmon Pizza
Top pizza crust with smoked salmon, red onion, capers, dill and lemon zest before baking.
Smoked Salmon Fried Rice
Stir diced smoked salmon into fried rice with vegetables, soy sauce and sesame oil.
Smoked Salmon Tacos
Fill corn tortillas with smoked salmon, cabbage slaw, avocado and chipotle crema.
Smoked Salmon Hash
Sauté smoked salmon with potatoes, bell peppers, onions and seasonings for a savory hash.
Elegant Smoked Salmon Entrees
Smoked salmon also shines when serving guests for fancier meals. Elevate your entree with these elegant smoked salmon recipes:
Smoked Salmon en Croute
Wrap smoked salmon, cream cheese, spinach and herbs in puff pastry and bake until golden.
Potato Crusted Salmon
Coat smoked salmon fillets with mashed potatoes and breadcrumbs then bake for a crispy crust.
Smoked Salmon Risotto
Make an upscale risotto with smoked salmon, asparagus, lemon zest, fresh herbs and parmesan.
Salmon Wellington
Layer smoked salmon and sautéed mushrooms over puff pastry then wrap and bake until flaky.
Pan-Seared Salmon
Quickly pan-fry smoked salmon fillets skin-side down for a crispy sear. Pair with roasted vegetables.
Salmon & Vegetable Skewers
Thread chunks of smoked salmon onto skewers with zucchini, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes and pineapple. Grill until lightly charred.
Easy Snacks & Appetizers with Smoked Salmon
Thanks to its rich flavor, smoked salmon also makes a satisfying high-protein snack any time of day. Whip up these easy smoked salmon bites:
Smoked Salmon Roll Ups
Spread cream cheese on tortillas or wraps. Top with smoked salmon and sliced vegetables then roll up.
Smoked Salmon & Cucumber Bites
Top thin slices of cucumber with smoked salmon and lemon-caper cream cheese.
Smoked Salmon Crackers
Put smoked salmon slices on crackers and add cream cheese, tomatoes, onions or capers.
Smoked Salmon Chips
Top pita or tortilla chips with smoked salmon, creme fraiche and everything bagel seasoning.
Smoked Salmon Lettuce Wraps
Spoon smoked salmon salad into lettuce leaves for a hand-held snack.
Smoked Salmon & Avocado Toast
Mash avocado onto whole grain toast. Top with smoked salmon and lemon juice.
Smoked Salmon and Wine Pairings
Smoked salmon wine pairings are relatively straightforward. It works best when paired with a good dry white (although I like a fruity white with some subtly smoked salmon). The most recommended is always a Gewürztraminer, Riesling (for its sweet acidity), Chenin Blank, White Zinfandel, Sancerre (very dry), Moscato D’Asti, always served chilled or very cold.
How To Serve Smoked Salmon
Wondering how to eat smoked salmon? Smoked salmon pairings are super varied, and offer something for every palate. Here are some of our favorite recipe ideas!
- Bagels: A classic combination for breakfast or brunch! Smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers, and red onions on a toasted bagel.
- Sushi Rolls: Incorporate into sushi rolls with avocado, cucumber, and a touch of wasabi, pairing it with pickled ginger and soy sauce.
- Eggs Benedict: Replace traditional ham with smoked salmon in this brunch favorite, topped with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce.
- Pasta: Toss with pasta, cream, lemon zest, and fresh dill for a quick and elegant dish.
- Salad: Combine with mixed greens, avocado, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette, and a poached egg on top for extra richness.
- Canapés: Create elegant appetizers with smoked salmon on blinis or crackers, topped with crème fraîche and chives, and go the extra gourmet mile with a small dollop of caviar for an upscale touch.
- Quiche: Bake a quiche with smoked salmon, leeks, and gruyère cheese for a savory treat paired with light green salad and a glass of white wine.
- Tartare: Dice and mix with shallots, capers, lemon juice, and a bit of olive oil, served with toast points. Chef Eric Ripert adds a touch of horseradish for a spicy kick.
- Deviled Eggs: Top classic deviled eggs with a slice of smoked salmon and a sprinkle of dill with a dash of smoked paprika for an extra layer of flavor.
- Scrambled Eggs: Stir into creamy scrambled eggs, garnished with fresh chives.
Can you eat smoked salmon without cooking?
FAQ
How to serve ready to eat smoked salmon?
What’s the best way to eat smoked salmon? There is no wrong way to eat smoked salmon! You can enjoy it straight from the package, on a bagel with cream cheese, in a wrap or sandwich, or even diced up and added to salads or pasta dishes.
How do you eat already smoked salmon?
A few suggestions: With crackers, softened cream cheese and capers. Tossed into a green salad with a lemony dressing.
Do you serve smoked salmon hot or cold?
How to use smoked salmon: Both types of smoked salmon are versatile and can be eaten right out of packaging. Typically, hot-smoked salmon is best for cooking though. Because it’s rich and flakey, it stands the heat really well and lends great flavor in hot dishes. Cold-smoked salmon is ideal when consumed cold.
Is ready to eat smoked salmon cooked?
Cold-smoked fish such as smoked salmon or trout, and cured fish such as gravlax, have not been fully cooked during the production process to kill any listeria that may be present, and therefore present a higher risk of infection. ‘Cold-smoked’ fish is normally labelled as ‘smoked’ fish on packaging.