Kamil Perry
Smoked salmon is a popular delicacy that can be served in a variety of ways, including as part of a charcuterie board, in a dip, or on a bagel. When it comes to cheese, the type of smoked salmon you use can make a difference. Cold-smoked salmon has a delicate and subtle flavour, pairing well with mild cheeses like goat's cheese, brie, or cream cheese. Hot-smoked salmon has a stronger, more robust flavour, and is better suited to sharper cheeses like cheddar or gouda. Gravlax, a type of cured salmon, is perfect with cream cheese or blue cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Cheddar, gouda, cream cheese, blue cheese, goat cheese, neufchatel cheese, brie |
| Crackers | Whole-grain crackers, water crackers, rye crackers |
| Bread | Bagels, sourdough bread, breadsticks, pumpernickel, rye, sun-dried tomato bread, roasted garlic bread, herb bread |
| Accompaniments | Yogurt, cucumbers, lemon, capers, red onions, jalapenos, black olives, radishes, peach salsa, crushed pineapple, hummus, olive paste, avocado, tomatoes, pomegranates, dates |
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What You'll Learn
Soft cheeses like brie, cream cheese, and blue cheese
Brie
The mild, creamy flavour and soft texture of brie make it a superb pairing with smoked salmon. For a simple yet elegant option, serve sliced brie alongside smoked salmon on a charcuterie board. You can also create bite-sized appetizers by spreading brie on crackers or small slices of toasted sourdough bread and topping it with a piece of smoked salmon. The creamy brie provides a wonderful base for the smoky fish, creating a harmonious flavour combination.
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is a classic pairing with smoked salmon and offers a tangy, creamy contrast. It is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of ways. For a refreshing appetizer, spread cream cheese on crackers or bagels and top with smoked salmon, capers, and thinly sliced cucumbers. You can also mix cream cheese with sour cream, chopped dill, and smoked salmon to create a delicious dip to serve with crackers or sliced baguette. Cream cheese is a key ingredient in many smoked salmon recipes, such as smoked salmon rolls or sandwiches.
Blue Cheese
Blue cheese, known for its strong, pungent flavour, makes an unexpected but delightful pairing with smoked salmon. The robust flavour of blue cheese can stand up to the smokiness of the salmon. Try crumbling blue cheese over a bed of smoked salmon or creating a salad with mixed greens, smoked salmon, and blue cheese. The sharp, salty flavour of blue cheese will provide a unique flavour profile to your dish.
When serving any of these soft cheeses with smoked salmon, consider adding accompaniments such as grilled vegetables (zucchini, eggplant, or yellow squash), chopped red onions, capers, or black olives. These additions will enhance the flavour profile and create a visually appealing dish.
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Harder cheeses like cheddar and gouda
Harder cheeses, like cheddar and gouda, pair wonderfully with hot-smoked salmon, which has a more intense flavour than cold-smoked salmon. The sharpness of these cheeses complements the rich, smoky flavour of the fish.
When creating a charcuterie board with smoked salmon and harder cheeses, it is important to consider the presentation. Choose a beautiful board or slate and matching dishes for your spreads, nuts, and toasts. Smaller knives or forks are useful for guests to easily serve themselves.
To add variety to your board, consider including different types of crackers, such as whole-grain, water, or rye crackers. These offer a subtle nutty flavour, a classic neutral option, or a hearty crunch, respectively. Bagel chips or mini bagels are also a great option to pair with smoked salmon and harder cheeses.
To elevate your charcuterie board, you can include grilled vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, or yellow squash. Chopped red onions, capers, jalapenos, and black olives add flavour and colour to your tray. For something sweeter, try adding a scoop of crushed pineapple or making a peach salsa to serve with the smoked salmon and cheese.
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Goat's cheese
A simple and effective way to serve goat's cheese with smoked salmon is in a sandwich. Mash the goat's cheese with a fork and mix with yoghurt, creating a creamy spread. Add sliced tomatoes, red onions, and herbs such as dill and chives for a fresh, tangy flavour profile. Season with salt and pepper, a squeeze of lemon juice, and everything bagel seasoning. This combination works well on toasted bread, such as Dave's Killer Bread, or as an open-faced sandwich.
For a more indulgent option, try smoked salmon tartines with goat's cheese. Start with a toasty baguette slice, drizzled with olive oil, salt, and garlic powder. Spread on a healthy amount of goat's cheese—the star ingredient—and top with a slice of smoked salmon. Finish with fresh herbs, cracked black pepper, and pickled onions. This dish is perfect as an appetizer, or for breakfast or brunch.
For a lighter option, try a salad with smoked salmon, goat's cheese, and vegetables such as cucumber, carrots, and celery. This combination provides a refreshing and healthy balance to the rich flavours of the salmon and cheese.
Whether served on a charcuterie board, in a sandwich, or as a dip, goat's cheese is a delicious and versatile pairing with smoked salmon. Its creamy texture and tangy flavour complement the oily richness of the salmon, creating a sophisticated and indulgent culinary experience.
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Crackers and bread
Whole-grain crackers, for example, provide a subtle nutty flavour, while water crackers are a classic choice that won't overpower the delicate taste of the fish. For added crunch, rye crackers are a perfect match for the salmon's smokiness. Pumpernickel crackers are another option to dress up your tray, and bagel chips or mini bagels cut in half also work well.
When it comes to bread, bagels are a popular choice to pair with smoked salmon, especially when part of a charcuterie board as they are great for finger food. Toasted sourdough bread or breadsticks add a similar crunch, and mini toasted bread slices are ideal for a bite-sized option. For a unique twist, try breads made with sun-dried tomatoes, roasted garlic, or herbs—simply cut into bite-sized slices and place them on the tray.
Smoked salmon is a versatile delicacy that can be paired with a variety of crackers and bread to create a range of flavour profiles and visual presentations.
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Fruits and vegetables
Smoked salmon is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways and is often accompanied by fruits and vegetables. Here are some ideas for fruits and vegetables to serve with smoked salmon:
Fruits
Fruits can add a touch of sweetness and freshness to complement the rich flavour of smoked salmon. Fresh fruits such as watermelon radishes, avocado, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and strawberries are all great options to serve alongside smoked salmon. Dried fruits can also be used, adding a nutty flavour to the dish. A fruit salad is also a refreshing option, especially during the summer months.
Vegetables
Vegetables provide a nice contrast in texture and crispness to the tender smoked salmon. Grilled or roasted vegetables such as asparagus, honey-roasted carrots, green beans, Brussels sprouts, bell peppers, cabbage, and corn on the cob are tasty options. For a lighter option, a fresh salad with leafy greens, cucumber, and tomato slices drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice is a perfect pairing. Vegetable rice salad, broccoli salad, and scalloped potatoes are also delicious choices.
Smoked salmon is a versatile dish, and these are just a few ideas to consider when pairing it with fruits and vegetables. Whether served as a main course or appetiser, the addition of fruits and vegetables will enhance the flavour and nutritional value of the dish.
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Frequently asked questions
Cream cheese is a popular choice, especially when mixed with herbs, garlic, or lemon juice. Other options include goat cheese, brie, blue cheese, and cheddar.
Smoked salmon and cheese are often served together on a charcuterie board, along with crackers, bagels, or toast. You can also make a smoked salmon dip by mixing cream cheese, sour cream, and smoked salmon in a food processor and serving it with crackers or sliced baguette.
Yes, cold-smoked salmon has a more delicate and subtle flavor, so it pairs well with milder cheeses like goat cheese or brie. Hot-smoked salmon has a stronger, more robust flavor, so it goes well with sharper cheeses like cheddar or gouda.
