Smoked Salmon's Cheesy Soulmate: Finding The Perfect Pair

Smoked salmon is a versatile delicacy that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, and one of the most popular combinations is smoked salmon and cheese. The right cheese pairing can elevate the flavour profile of smoked salmon, creating a delightful culinary experience. The intense flavour of smoked salmon goes well with smooth and creamy cheeses, with options ranging from tangy feta to nutty Comte. Whether you're crafting a charcuterie board or preparing a savoury sandwich, knowing the best cheeses to pair with smoked salmon can make all the difference.

Soft cheeses like feta, cream cheese, goat cheese, or Boursin

Feta, a salty and crumbly cheese, can be mashed with olive oil to create a spreadable consistency that pairs well with smoked salmon on toast or crackers. This combination makes for a delicious and quick snack or brunch option. For a lighter alternative to bagels, consider using whole wheat toast. You can also add crunchy root vegetables like carrots, radishes, green onions, and beets to create a refreshing Mediterranean-style open-faced sandwich.

Cream cheese is a classic and popular choice that needs no introduction. Its smooth texture and mild taste make it a perfect match for the intense flavour of smoked salmon. Enjoy this combination on toast, bagels, or crackers for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. For a light lunch, layer smoked salmon and cream cheese with fresh herbs between two slices of crusty bread for a delightful sandwich.

Goat cheese, with its mild flavour and creamy texture, is an ideal pairing for cold-smoked salmon. It adds a delicate touch without overwhelming the subtle flavours of the fish. Goat cheese also pairs well with sweet accompaniments like fresh fruit and honey-roasted nuts on a charcuterie board.

Boursin, a soft cow's milk cheese, is salty, creamy, and infused with herbs such as garlic, parsley, chives, or black pepper. Its spreadable texture makes it perfect for crackers or bread, adding an extra layer of flavour to sandwiches or salads when combined with smoked salmon.

Blue cheese for a richer flavour profile

Blue cheese is a great option for those seeking a richer flavour profile to complement their smoked salmon. The creaminess of blue cheese helps balance the intense, smoky flavour of the salmon. Danish Blue and Gorgonzola are good choices for their mild flavour. Blue cheese can be used in a variety of ways—in a salad or sandwich, melted on toast, or crumbled into an omelette.

Blue cheese is a versatile option for those looking to create a unique flavour combination with smoked salmon. Its strong flavour can stand up to the intense taste of the fish, making it a good choice for those who enjoy bolder flavours. The creaminess of blue cheese also helps to balance out the smokiness of the salmon, resulting in a rich and indulgent flavour profile.

When it comes to specific types of blue cheese, Danish Blue and Gorgonzola are excellent choices. These cheeses have a milder flavour compared to other blue cheeses, making them a perfect match for smoked salmon. Their creamy texture and subtle flavour notes will enhance the salmon without overwhelming it.

There are numerous ways to incorporate blue cheese into your smoked salmon dishes. For a simple yet elegant appetizer, serve smoked salmon and blue cheese on crackers. If you're looking for a heartier option, try melting blue cheese on toast points and topping it with smoked salmon and capers for a sophisticated lunch or dinner. For a more substantial meal, consider adding blue cheese to a salad or sandwich featuring smoked salmon. You can also crumble blue cheese into an omelette and pair it with smoked salmon for a unique breakfast or brunch option.

By choosing blue cheese as your pairing for smoked salmon, you'll be treated to a decadent and flavourful culinary experience. The richness of blue cheese enhances the smoky notes of the salmon, creating a sophisticated flavour profile that's sure to impress. So, whether you're creating a charcuterie board, an elegant appetizer, or a savoury meal, consider pairing your smoked salmon with blue cheese for a richer flavour profile.

Cold-smoked salmon with mild cheeses

Cold-smoked salmon has a delicate and subtle flavour that pairs well with mild cheeses. Here are some ideas for creating delicious combinations:

Goat Cheese

Goat cheese is a soft cheese with a tangy and creamy flavour that complements the cold-smoked salmon perfectly. Its subtle acidity and smooth texture provide a nice contrast to the smoky notes of the salmon. Try spreading some goat cheese on crackers or toast points, and then topping it with thin slices of cold-smoked salmon for a simple yet elegant appetiser.

Brie

Brie is a classic French cheese with a buttery texture and a mild, nutty flavour. Its creaminess and subtle taste make it an excellent companion for cold-smoked salmon. For a quick appetiser, serve brie and salmon on crackers or crostini. To elevate this combination, add some fresh herbs such as dill or thyme for an extra burst of flavour.

Neufchatel Cheese

Neufchatel cheese is a soft, creamy cheese with a slightly tangy and mild flavour. Its silky smooth texture pairs beautifully with cold-smoked salmon. Spread it on crackers or crostini for an easy appetiser, or melt it into dishes like smoked salmon chowder for added richness and depth of flavour.

Cream Cheese

Cream cheese is a classic choice for pairing with smoked salmon. Its smooth texture and mild taste complement the intense flavour of the fish. For a simple yet satisfying breakfast or brunch option, spread cream cheese on a bagel or toast and top it with cold-smoked salmon slices. You can also add some fresh herbs, such as chives or dill, for an extra touch of flavour.

When creating your own charcuterie board or appetiser, feel free to experiment with different combinations of cold-smoked salmon and mild cheeses. You can also add accompaniments such as crackers, bagels, toast, fruits, vegetables, and herbs to enhance the flavours and create a well-rounded culinary experience.

Hot-smoked salmon with sharper cheeses

Hot-smoked salmon has a more intense and robust flavour compared to its cold-smoked counterpart. This stronger flavour profile calls for sharper, more robust cheeses to match. Here are some ideal cheese pairings for hot-smoked salmon:

Cheddar

Cheddar is a classic, sharp-flavoured cheese that pairs well with the robust taste of hot-smoked salmon. Its nuttiness and crumbly texture create a delightful contrast with the smoky fish. Aged cheddars are particularly good here, as their flavours intensify over time.

Gouda

Gouda is a mildly sweet cheese with a hint of nuttiness and a fudgy texture, similar to a melted marshmallow. It enhances the flavour of hot-smoked salmon without overwhelming it. The smoky notes in smoked gouda further complement the salmon, making for an elegant pairing.

Blue Cheese

Blue cheese, such as Danish Blue or Gorgonzola, has a rich, creamy texture that balances the intense smokiness of the salmon. Its mild flavour makes it a great choice for those who want a less intense cheese experience without sacrificing taste.

Boursin

Boursin is a soft, cow's milk cheese with a creamy, salty texture and a blend of flavours like garlic, parsley, chives, or black pepper. Its spreadable consistency makes it ideal for crackers or bread, providing a flavourful base for the hot-smoked salmon.

Halloumi

Halloumi has a firm texture and a mildly salty taste, reminiscent of feta. Its chewy texture and salty flavour make it a great match for hot-smoked salmon. Halloumi stands up to the strong flavour of the fish without melting away, making it an excellent grilling option.

When pairing hot-smoked salmon with sharper cheeses, consider serving them on a charcuterie board with crackers, bagels, or toast. These pairings will create a flavourful and memorable culinary experience.

Charcuterie board cheeses: cheddar, blue, Swiss, Colby, and smoked gouda

When creating a charcuterie board, it's important to select a variety of hard and soft cheeses, as well as cheeses made from different kinds of milk (cow, sheep, goat). It's also a good idea to include at least one familiar cheese that your guests are comfortable with.

Cheddar

Cheddar is a hard cheese with a nutty, crumbly, and sharp flavour. It is an ideal match for smoked salmon as it adds a creamy texture that contrasts with the smokiness of the fish. Aged cheddars are especially good as their flavours become more intense over time. Pair smoked salmon with a mild or medium-aged cheddar for an unforgettable combination.

Blue Cheese

Blue cheese has a rich, creamy texture and a strong flavour that can complement or contrast with smoked salmon. It is a versatile cheese that can be used in salads, sandwiches, or crumbled into an omelette. Blue cheese also pairs well with sweet accompaniments like fresh fruit, jams, and candied nuts.

Swiss

Swiss cheese is a semi-hard cheese with a subtle flavour similar to Gruyere. Its smooth texture and mellow taste allow the smokiness of the smoked salmon to shine through without overwhelming it. Swiss cheese is a good anchor for your charcuterie board, providing a neutral base for the other flavours.

Colby

Colby is a semi-soft cheese with a mild, creamy flavour. It is an excellent choice for those who prefer a milder taste, as it won't overpower the smoked salmon. Colby pairs well with both savory and sweet accompaniments, such as crackers, nuts, and fresh or dried fruit.

Smoked Gouda

Smoked gouda is a semi-soft cheese with a sweet, mild, and slightly fudgy flavour, along with nutty undertones. It is an ideal match for smoked salmon as the smoky notes in the cheese enhance the flavour of the fish without overpowering it. Smoked gouda can be served as a simple appetizer, with thin slices of smoked salmon on top of the cheese.

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