If you’ve been looking for ideas on how to serve smoked salmon, this is a beautiful salmon platter appetizer idea for your next wine tasting party. Impress party quests with this simple and easy smoked salmon platter using smoked salmon fillet. Easy with cheddar cheeses, crackers and complimented by horseradish cream sauce.
What You Can Expect From This Recipe
Actually not a recipe at all, if you’ve been looking for ideas on how to serve smoked salmon, this is a easy and elegant salmon platter with an impressive presentation. This is my “go-to” appetizer recipe for any type of gathering.
Grazing boards are such an easy way to entertain and one of my favorite things to throw together. Easy no-cook platters that are a breeze to make ahead and have ready when guests arrive.
A simple idea that I took away from a appetizer ordered at dinner years ago at the renowned Colorado resort Grand Lake Lodge.
A combination of buttery crackers, a chunk of Smoked Salmon, some Colby or Cheddar Cheeses served with a Horseradish Cream Sauce.
A combination of flavors that compliment the palate.
The horseradish cream sauce is simple and it goes with so many things, famously for Prime Rib Roast.
Table of contents
Understanding Smoked Salmon Varieties
Cured Salmon vs. Hot Smoked Salmon
For this salmon platter, choose a hot smoked salmon fillet product rather than a salt cured, cold smoked salmon.
Cured salmon is cured with salt. It’s then sliced very thin, has a very tender texgture and traditionally served on a bagel with capers.
Hot Smoked Salmon is a whole cooked fillet that’s firm and flaky. The texture is achieved by smoking the salmon at temperatures above 120 degrees. The most popular, and easy smoked salmon fillets to find are from the Honey Smoked Fish Company sold at Costco and Safeway.
Smoked Salmon Nutrition
Smoked salmon is relatively low in calories while boasting high quality protein, essential fats and vitamins and minerals. For a complete article about smoked salmon nutrition I like this comprehensive article from HealthLine.
Ingredients You’ll Need, What to Serve with Smoked Salmon
- Cheddar Cheese: Medium cheddar or sharp cheddar will both work well.
- Smoked Salmon Fillet:
- White Cheese With Smoked Salmon: I chose an aged white cheddar cheese. Manchego is a bold Spanish cheese that would work well here. A nutty buttery Gouda would be wonderful. Or look for Parrano. A nutty flavor with a creamy texture. Parrano is also a wonderful cheese to serve with fruit. And as always, cream cheese is a popular choice for any smoked salmon plate.
- Smoked Salmon On Crackers: Choose a sturdy cracker with a mild flavor. A buttery cracker like Ritz or Townhouse Crackers. I also like to add some very mild flavored crackers like Carr Water Crackers or Pita Crackers work well.
- Horseradish Cream Sauce.
- Garnish: Fresh chives or fronds of fresh dill.
Building A Smoked Salmon Platter
The ingredients above are suggestions on how to serve smoked salmon. Ideas to make a simple smoked salmon platter. And this is how the smoked salmon appetizer was served at the Grand Lake Lodge. If you’re want to make a more generous smoked salmon plater, here are more ideas.
- Grapes: Place grapes in-between items on the platter. Red, green or black grapes will work beautifully.
- Cornichons are a wonderful addition. Cornichons are tiny little dill pickles and their tart flavor makes them an ideal garnish for any charcuterie board.
- Nuts: Add a sprinkling of nuts here and there on the platter. Raw almonds, roasted shelled pistachios and lightly salted cashews are all good choices.
- Olives: A little bowl of olives would be lovely. Choosing olives from an olive bar, rather than jarred will bring more flavor.
- Fruit: A little bowl of raspberries would bring a nice pop of color.
- Boiled Eggs: Sliced of halved is always a welcome spot of color.
- Enhance Flavor and Presentation: Squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the smoked salmon to brighten the flavor. Sprinkle with fine chopped chives or thyme for presentation.
Questions You May Have
Smoked Salmon is fully cooked and needs no further preparation. Just remove the fillet from the package, place in the center of your serving platter and build that appetizer.
The salmon fillet meat is so tender it easily flakes apart. Using a fork will easily break a bite sized piece of the meat to build your salmon cracker appetizer.
A popular vegetarian alternative is to offer a block of smoked tofu which mimics the texture and flavor of smoked salmon.
Storage
Once it’s out of the package, wrap any leftovers in plastic wrap or place in a zip lock back. Store in the refrigerator for a week to 10 days.
How Can I Tell If Smoked Salmon Has Gone Bad?
Smoked salmon already has a very strong smoky odor. Rather than smell, the best way to tell is salmon has worn out it’s welcome, is if you notice a slimy texture or discoloration. Always check the expiration date and store it properly.
Can I Freeze Smoked Salmon?
Yes, I like to wrap it in plastic wrap and then in foil and then label using masking tape, noting product and date. You can freeze smoked salmon for up to six months.
How To Serve Smoked Salmon with Crackers
To serve and eat, place a piece of smoked salmon on a cracker, top with a dollop of the horseradish cream sauce and top with a slice of cheese = delicious combo of flavors.
Tips: Make Ahead
- You can make the Horseradish Cream Sauce a day ahead of serving. Just cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator.
- Slice the cheese up to a day ahead of time, but make sure to wrap it well in plastic wrap so it doesn’t dry out.
- Wait to assemble the platter right before serving. If you try to place the crackers on the salmon and cover with plastic wrap, the crackers will absorb some of the moisture from the salmon and become slightly soggy.
So if you’re looking for Smoked Salmon Platter ideas or how to serve smoked salmon, I hope you give this a try.
More Popular Appetizer Recipes
And don’t miss my Appetizer Category, you’ll find lots of fun party food ideas including the most popular on my site for Campechana. It’s a Mexican Shrimp Appetizer that’s absolutely fresh and delicious.
Smoked Salmon Platter, How To Serve Smoked Salmon
Ingredients
- ½ pound Smoked Salmon fillet not a lox product
- 4 ounces Cheddar Cheese sliced, served at room temperature
- 4 ounces White Cheddar or complimentary cheese of your choice
- 1 recipe Horseradish Cream Sauce
- Assorted crackers Sturdy and buttery
Instructions
- On a platter or plate, place the smoked salmon. Arrange the cheese and crackers around the salmon.
- Place the Horseradish Cream Sauce in a bowl. Provide serving knives for building those appetizers.
- To eat; place a small piece of salmon on a cracker, add a slice of cheese smear with Horseradish Cream Sauce and enjoy.
Notes
- Grapes: Place grapes in-between items on the smoked salmon platter. Red, green or black grapes will work beautifully.
- Cornichons are a wonderful addition. Cornichons are tiny little dill pickles and their tart flavor makes them an ideal garnish for any charcuterie board.
- Nuts: Add a sprinkling of nuts here and there on the platter. Raw almonds, roasted shelled pistachios and lightly salted cashews are all good choices.
- Olives: A little bowl of olives would be lovely. Choosing olives from an olive bar, rather than jarred will bring more flavor.
- Fruit: A little bowl of raspberries would bring a nice pop of color.
Nutrition
Smoked Salmon Platter …It’s What’s for an appetizer.
If you liked this recipe, please leave a star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below and leave a comment. I always appreciate your feedback and hearing how everything went.
And, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more delicious recipes and cooking tips. Make it a delicious day … every day.
This recipe was originally posted September of 2013, and republished with better photos and instructions.
Why Trust My Recipes? I am a Culinary School Graduate and believe that everyone should try to cook as often as they can. I’ve been cooking for 50 years, and my recipes are tried and true tested and tested and then tested again before published. To read more take a look at my About Page.
Love smoked salmon! And this is such a terrific way to serve it — such an attractive (and tasty!) looking platter of food. Neat dish — thanks.
This looks like such fun! I will have to try out the salmon at Tony’s Market now. 🙂
Excellent idea, I usually only see “main course” when I look at salmon, you just opened my eyes to other possibilities, LA, thanks!
It’s been one of my favorite appetizer platters to serve for years. With cheese and horseradish, you can’t go wrong.
As usual these days, I am LATE TO THE PARTY! It looks like a delicious spread and I’ll keep my eye out for that wine. LOVE the shot of the prayshus pups. 🙂
Sure missed seeing you on Sunday Ansh.
Nice apps, perfect with wine!
Thanks Chef Mick. And thanks for the Salmon, I’ll never buy it anywhere else again. Great flavor.
Horseradish sauce – yum! Occasionally I am able to buy fresh horseradish which is just wonderful – in a different league from the prepared stuff. Although when you are grating it, it can almost hurt your nose it is so pungent – like sniffing wasabi. Cheers
I’m such a horseradish fan Carole. And I have grown it and made my own grated horseradish. I hear ya!
Thanks so much for visiting my blog! And reaching out. Would love to meet you-I don’t get the opportunity to meet many bloggers and after a party like the one above – well, looks like we could have a lot of fun!
Abbe, thanks for stopping by. We’ll have to meet soon.
Looks like a great spread for a fun time. Your salmon dish dish looks delicious – I never thought of horseradish sauce with it. Maybe you can post the mushroom-bleu cheese dip recipe if you get it.
Thanks for the reminder Larry. I need to email her right now for that recipe.
Also like the Cheetos pic. I can tell you and your friends might be wino’s but you’re not snobs. 🙂
Hi lea ann! Mmm there are so many yummy things about this post!! I have to say tho- my fav pic is your cute little doggies with the boot wine charm. After all the flooding here at my house and in longmont, it’s nice to read your blog.
I love the wine get-togethers with your friends. Lots of great food to munch on. I bet the blue cheese & mushroom spread really went over well with the guys.
Sam
Your friends have very good taste. 😉