What Is Smoked salmon and How Can I Use It?
Wondering what to do with smoked salmon? This guide covers how to pick it, cook it, store it, and swap it, plus 74 recipes to put it to work.
Key Points
- Salt-cured then smoked salmon that comes fully ready to eat, no cooking needed.
- Cold-smoked lox stays silky and raw in texture; hot-smoked is firm and flaky.
- Never cook it again; heat dries it out, so add it off the heat.
- It loves cream cheese, dill, capers, and acid on bagels, eggs, and pasta.
- Sealed packs hold a week or two; use within three to five days once opened.
What is smoked salmon?
Smoked salmon is salmon that has been cured in salt and then smoked, which preserves it and gives it that silky, savory character. It comes ready to eat, no cooking needed, which is the first thing to know about working with it.
There are two main styles, and they are not interchangeable. Cold-smoked salmon, the kind sold as lox or Nova, is smoked at low temperature, so it stays raw in texture: soft and glossy and thin enough to slice into sheets.
Hot-smoked salmon is cooked by the smoke, so it is firm and opaque and breaks into flakes like a baked fillet.
Cold-smoked versus hot-smoked
Cold-smoked salmon is the draped, translucent slice you fan over a bagel. It is delicate and a little salty, and you serve it as is.
Hot-smoked salmon is sturdier and tastes more cooked, with a deeper smoke. It is the one to flake into a pasta or over a baked potato.
If a recipe says lox, it wants the cold-smoked, silky kind. If it says flaked smoked salmon, reach for hot-smoked.
How to use it
The golden rule: do not cook it again. Smoked salmon is already finished, and heat just dries it out and turns it rubbery. Add it at the very end, off the heat, so it warms through without cooking.
That is exactly how the best pasta dishes treat it. Penne Ala Vodka & Smoked Salmon and Scallop & Smoked Salmon Pasta both fold the fish into the hot sauce at the last second, off the burner.
For cold uses it earns its keep on bread and eggs. Smoked Salmon-And-Chive Sandwiches and Twice Baked Potatoes with Smoked Salmon & Chives show the two homes it loves best: bread and a starchy, creamy base.
Its natural partners are cream cheese, dill, capers, red onion, lemon, and a grind of black pepper. The richness of the fish wants something sharp or acidic alongside it.
Buying and storing
Good smoked salmon looks moist and even in color, not dried at the edges or streaked white where the fat has gone off. Cold-smoked slices should lift apart cleanly.
Sealed packs keep for a week or two in the fridge. Once you open them, the clock speeds up.
Use opened smoked salmon within three to five days, kept cold and tightly wrapped. Both styles freeze well for a couple of months if you want to keep some on hand for pasta night.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 cup, cooked (136g)Quick facts
Where to find smoked salmon: Smoked salmon is usually found in the fish section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
Food group: Smoked salmon is a member of the Finfish and Shellfish Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
- In Chinese
- 烟熏三文鱼
- British (UK) term
- Smoked salmon
- en français
- saumon fumé
- en español
- salmón ahumado
How much does smoked salmon weigh?
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 cup, cooked | 136 grams |
| 1 oz, boneless | 28 grams |
| 1 cubic inch, boneless | 17 grams |
| 3 ounce | 85 grams |
Related
Finfish and Shellfish Products
Recipes using smoked salmon
There are 74 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Scrambled Eggs with Lox & Cream Cheese
A low-carb version of Lox (smoked salmon) and cream cheese that uses scrambled eggs to replace the classic bagel. Rich, creamy, and delicious, it is perfect for celebrating National Cream Cheese and Lox Day or anytime for an impressive Brunch or breakfast offering.
Homemade Fish shaped Appetizer
Fish-shaped salmon pastries: buttery shortcrust hand pies cut into fish, filled with smoked salmon, potato, and onion, then decorated with pastry scales and baked golden. A playful, savory party appetizer kids love.
Homemade Birthday Gift for Kids
Birthday are always happening year round.There are many items that you can give as gifts.But homemade gift is very special.It is tasty and nutritious gift for a kids party.
Homemade Appetizer Tree
Make this easy appetizer tree the next time you have a kids’ birthday party.
Homemade Party Snack
This is a great recipe for your next party. They’re shaped like a nurse’s cap! Try this recipe.
Smoked Salmon Hero Sandwich
Warm French bread loaded with cream cheese, thin-sliced smoked salmon, cucumber, red onion, black olives, and peppery watercress. A deli-style hero sandwich ready in 20 minutes.
Egg & Salmon Sandwich
Skip the drive-thru with this gourmet Egg McMuffin replacement that's topped with smoked salmon and tomatoes.
Homemade Fancy Bread
This bread is very easy to make and it's a simply delicious bread snack recipe, which will be loved by all ages. Try it!
Homemade Mashed Potatoes Appetizer
What to do with day old bread.Don’t throw away.Try this recipe.
Homemade Breakfast Pizza
Homemade pizzas can be healthy. You can adapt this pizza recipe to your own taste.
Love Bird Dumplings
Try this snack for your next party. Easy and fun. This is an inexpensive recipe. They are shaped like ducks.
Homemade Fried Curry Bread
Homemade fried curry bread, soft yeast dough wrapped around a savory salmon and potato filling, coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried golden and crisp. A Japanese-style stuffed bread for dipping.
Chive Potato Pancakes with Smoked Salmon & Golden Caviar
Crispy potato pancakes studded with fresh chives, topped with silky smoked salmon and golden caviar. These elegant latkes turn simple russet potatoes into sophisticated brunch fare.
Salmon Pinwheels
Smoked salmon and cream cheese rolled up in flour tortillas with fresh dill and a squeeze of lemon, then sliced into bite-sized pinwheels. A make-ahead appetizer that's ready when you are.
Easy Smoked Salmon Sticks
Quick and easy finger food/horderves for your next party or good for any gathering. Smoked salmon wrapped around a bread stick. Easy to make and easy to serve horderve.
Smoked Salmon Quesadillas
Very tasty indeed! Super quick and easy to prepare yet somewhat sophisticated and rich tasting. A wedge of lemon went nicely with the quesadillas.
Smoked Salmon-And-Chive Sandwiches
Elegant smoked salmon tea sandwiches with lemon-chive cream cheese on pumpernickel. Sophisticated finger sandwiches ready in 20 minutes, perfect for brunch or afternoon tea.
Smoked Salmon Crepe Spirals
An easy to make and impressive appetizer or snack. Smokey, creamy and packed with flavor.
Homemade Spring Rolls
Everybody likes spring rolls.This recipe is very easy to make and tastes delicious. Try it!
Aussie: Roseville Tea Sandwiches
Take a trip to the Outback with this scrumptious appetizer. Perfect for a relaxing day in the shade with a cup of tea!
Homemade Fish Buns
Homemade fish bun can be healthy. You can adapt this bun recipe to your own taste.
Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Soufflé
Smoked salmon, dill and cream cheese baked into a light and fluffy soufflé. A decadent Sunday brunch favorite in our house.
Twice Baked Potatoes with Smoked Salmon & Chives
These smoked salmon and chives twice baked potatoes give the traditional recipe a modern twist. The smoky flavor and creamy texture are deliciously balanced.
Cucumber Rounds with Smoked Salmon Mousse
Quick and easy to make finger food perfect hors d'oeuvres or even as a mid-day snack. Rich and creamy smoked salmon mousse on top of light refreshing cucumber rounds.
Penne Ala Vodka & Smoked Salmon
A simply delicious dish. It was very easy to make, and tasted creamy and flavourful. If you like smoked salmon and a creamy style pasta dish, you should definitely give this recipe a go.
Scallop & Smoked Salmon Pasta
We liked it very much. The flavour is strong so make sure you serve it to those who like fish or cut down on the smoked salmon.
Smorrebrod (Denmark)
A traditional Danish Smørrebrød spread with smoked salmon, shrimp, roast beef, ham, blue cheese, eggs and fresh fruit on rye bread. A stunning no-cook platter that feeds 12.
Tangy Salmon Mousse
Light salmon mousse made with canned and smoked salmon, Greek yogurt, ginger, and whipped egg whites, served with a grapefruit-walnut oil salad. An elegant British-style starter.
Benny's Eggs
Poached eggs on toasted brioche with cream cheese and smoked salmon, drizzled with a homemade orange hollandaise sauce. An elegant eggs Benedict twist for brunch.
Smoked Salmon, Peas & Bow Ties
Creamy bow tie pasta tossed with flaked smoked salmon, sweet green peas, scallions, and chives. A cozy, elegant dinner for two in just 25 minutes.
Brunch Pizza with Scrambled Eggs & Smoked Salmon
Brunch pizza topped with soft scrambled eggs, melted mozzarella and fontina, and cold smoked salmon with chives. An elegant weekend project that marries pizza technique with lox-and-bagel flavors.
Smoked Salmon Pizza & Other Embellishments
Smoked salmon pizza on homemade yeast dough with fresh tomato, garlic, dill, Asiago cheese, and capers. The salmon goes on in the last 3 minutes so it stays silky, not rubbery.
Creative Egg
Smoked salmon and a soft poached egg piled onto a fluffy baked potato, drizzled with chive and white wine sour cream sauce, then crowned with caviar. A fast, elegant brunch plate.
Pasta & Smoked Salmon Salad
Linguine with smoked salmon in a creamy white wine and Dijon mustard sauce topped with Parmesan. An elegant pasta dish that comes together in under 40 minutes.
Salmon Cheese Ball
Smoked salmon cheese ball blends flaked salmon with cream cheese, sour cream, lemon, and a pinch of tarragon. A 10-minute make-ahead party appetizer that freezes beautifully and rolls in nuts or parsley.
Salmon Classic
This classic salmon is always welcomed by party. For sure, but also a good appetizer at any meal.
Smoked Salmon with Brown Soda Bread
Smoked salmon with Irish brown soda bread, mixed greens, capers, and cherry tomatoes. A classic appetizer plate served with lemon, butter, and a drizzle of good olive oil.
Gravlax
Classic Scandinavian gravlax cured with kosher salt, sugar, crushed white peppercorns, and fresh dill. No cooking required. The salmon cures in the fridge for 48 to 72 hours under a weighted press.
Smoked Salmon & Dill
Smoked salmon and dill pinwheels rolled with horseradish cream cheese, watercress, and dark bread. A make-ahead party appetizer with peppery bite and silky smoked fish.
Roasted Asparagus & Smoked Salmon Bundles
Asparagus spears roasted with olive oil and rosemary get wrapped in ribbons of smoked salmon for an elegant appetizer that's ready in 25 minutes.
Salmon Dip
Smoked salmon dip with mashed hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, pimentos, and a splash of vinegar. A five-ingredient, no-cook appetizer dip ready in 10 minutes flat.
Super Salmon Pate
Smoky salmon and mackerel whipped with cream cheese, lemon, and horseradish into a silky pate. Ready in 10 minutes flat, spread it on crackers or crusty bread for a crowd-pleasing Canadian-style appetizer.
Salmon Souffles
Cold salmon souffle with canned and smoked salmon, cream cheese, horseradish, and gelatine, set in moulds and coated in watercress. An elegant no-bake British starter.
Goat Cheese & Asparagus Roulade
The cheese-filled salmon rolls are sliced into rounds for lovely presentation. They make an elegant appetizer.
Smoked Salmon Sushi Roll
Smoked salmon sushi rolls layer seasoned sushi rice, creamy avocado, crisp cucumber, and silky smoked salmon in nori. Beginner-friendly homemade maki, no raw fish or special skills required.
Smoked Salmon & Goat Cheese Quiche
Rich smoked salmon quiche with goat cheese, cream cheese, and Parmesan in a flaky pie crust, finished with fresh basil. A triple-cheese brunch centrepiece for 6.
More smoked salmon recipes
- Black Pepper Angel Hair with Smoked Salmon
- Creative Egg
- Easy Lomi Lomi Salmon
- Fettuccine with Smoked Salmon, Vodka & Dill
- Fresh & Smoked Salmon Pate
- Goat Cheese & Asparagus Roulade
- Pasta & Smoked Salmon Salad
- Pasta with Smoked Salmon & Golden Caviar
- Piquant Salmon Rolls
- Salmon & Spinach Fettuccine
- Salmon Cheese Ball
- Salmon Dip
- Sauteed Smoked Salmon, Eggs & Onions with Matzo
- Smoked Salmon Chowder
- Stuffed Prawns
