Smoked salmon is a rather specific cooking ingredient which usually pairs with only a handful of ingredients.
Fortunately, there are still plenty of recipes with smoked salmon which switch things up by introducing some unorthodox ingredients.
Hash browns, potato cakes and quesadillas are just some of the recipes that fit this description and have found their way into this list.
You’ll also find some classical examples such as pasta salads, frittatas or salads.
The 13 Best Recipes with Smoked Salmon
Creamy Hot Smoked Salmon Pasta
This Hot Smoked Salmon Pasta recipe is extremely easy to make and takes less than half an hour to fully cook.
It blends lemon and dill flavors in a rich creamy sauce made with white wine and creme fraiche.
This combo of ingredients makes the pasta lighter than most other pasta dishes made with a creamy sauce.
Check the recipe at: Skinny Spatula
Smoked Salmon Dip
Smoked salmon enveloped in a creamy sauce along with bacon and spicy jalapeno peppers.
If this sounds appealing, then you’ll love this simple smoked salmon dip.
You can serve it with some crackers, spread it on a bagel or eat it along with a piece of toast.
The choice is entirely up to you.
Check the recipe at: Self Proclaimed Foodie
Smoked Salmon Toasts
These smoked salmon toasts are a great option if you’re looking for breakfast or brunch ideas.
They’re covered in a creamy spread that’s seasoned with dill and topped off with smoked salmon, capers, red onion and chives.
The best part about this recipe is that you can easily customize the toppings and add cucumber, tomatoes or avocado if you like.
Check the recipe at: Heavenly Home Cooking
Smoked Salmon Frittata
Jam packed with flavors, low on calories and full of protein, this Smoked Salmon Frittata is for those who’re striving for a healthier lifestyle.
The main ingredients which give this dish its bold flavors are the smoked salmon, cottage cheese and spinach.
If you’re willing to go a step further and aren’t afraid of the extra calories you can also add some grated parmesan or Feta.
Check the recipe at: Super Golden Bakes
Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad
If you’re looking for a summer side dish you can take on a picnic, then this Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad is just what you need.
The salad is made with fusilli, smoked salmon trimmings and a creamy dressing of mayo and sour cream.
If you don’t like fusilli, you can substitute them with other types of short pasta such as penne or rotini.
Check the recipe at: Sprinkles and Sprouts
Smoked Salmon Chowder
This list wouldn’t be complete without this surprisingly simple Smoked Salmon Chowder recipe.
In order to make it, all you need to do is saute some vegetables, simmer them and add the smoked salmon.
Apart from its simplicity, this recipe also packs a ton of flavor thanks to the corn, carrots, potatoes and seasonings.
Check the recipe at: Montana Happy
Smoked Salmon Carbonara
This Smoked Salmon Carbonara is a spin off of the traditional Italian recipe but it doesn’t taste any less good.
With the exception of the smoked salmon, it includes pretty much the same ingredients as the original: eggs, pasta, and parmesan.
Another great thing about this recipe is that if you’re snappy, you’ll be able to make it in about half an hour.
It also packs 30 grams of protein per serving which makes it one of the best high protein pasta recipes that are easy to make.
Check the recipe at: Love and Good Stuff
Smoked Salmon Pizza
This might not be something that you’ll see on a restaurant’s menu, but this smoked salmon pizza is actually quite good.
It features a rye crust that’s baked in the oven and then covered with cream cheese, salmon, capers and onions.
Even though this dish isn’t exactly a pizza in the traditional sense, it does a good job fooling you.
Check the recipe at: Celebration Generation
Smoked Salmon Quesadillas
Crispy Quesadillas filled with a ton of cheese, guacamole and a bunch of smoked salmon.
These quesadillas come together in under half an hour which makes them perfect for busy weeknights.
They’re also baked in one pan so you won’t need to spend any extra time doing the dishes.
Check the recipe at: Jo Cooks
Smoked Salmon Roll Ups
These Smoked Salmon rolls prove that you don’t need to have any special skills to make sushi.
The rolls have a creamy filling of whipped cream cheese, avocado and freshly chopped dill.
I think they are a fantastic salmon-based appetizer.
If you want to make them in a more traditional fashion, you can add some sushi rice and serve them with some wasabi.
Check the recipe at: The Little Pine
Smoked Salmon Hash
I must admit that mixing smoked salmon with potatoes would’ve never crossed my mind if I hadn’t stumbled upon this recipe.
Fortunately I did and it turned out that this Smoked Salmon Hash is loaded with bold flavors thanks to the horseradish, mustard, parsley and chives.
This dish works quite well as a main dish when it’s served along with fried eggs.
Check the recipe at: Simply Recipes
Hot Cheesy Salmon Sandwich
These salmon sandwiches take inspiration from the classic tuna melt by blending fish and cheese in a crispy toast.
They’re also quite easy to make as all you need to do is whip up the salmon spread, spread it on a piece of bread, cover with some cheddar and bake.
The great thing about these sandwiches is that you can also make them in the air fryer if your oven is full.
Check the recipe at: Vika Linka
Smoked Salmon Potato Cakes
Crispy on the inside, soft and pillowy on the inside, these Smoked Salmon Potato Cakes are the perfect companion to a glass of beer.
The cakes are made from a mixture of mashed potatoes and smoked salmon which is rolled in breadcrumbs and seared in a pan.
They’re served with a dollop of garlic-dill dip that gives them an additional depth of flavor.
Check the recipe at: Savory Tooth
Tips for making homemade smoked salmon
The smoked salmon that’s sold at grocery stores is usually full of preservatives and has a rather dull flavor.
That’s why it’s best to use homemade smoked salmon if you want your smoked salmon dishes to have a rich smoky flavor.
Smoking salmon at home might seem like a daunting task, but as long as you follow some simple guidelines you’ll be able to make it like a pro.
The most important thing you should keep in mind when you’re smoking salmon at home is the internal temperature.
After smoking more than a dozen of salmon filets over the years, I’ve found that the best internal temp for smoked salmon is 140°F (60°C).
If you go higher than that, your salmon will have a rubbery texture.
Other than temperature, you’ll also want to pay attention to the type of wood you’re using.
If you’re a beginner, I recommend sticking to some of the more milder types of wood such as oak or alder.
Oak is especially great for smoking as it has a mild flavor profile and a high smoke temperature.
If you want to learn more about smoking salmon, then you can check out my article on the topic.
Final thoughts
The rich flavor of smoked salmon makes it a great match for creamy cheese dips seasoned with capers and dill.
However, you don’t want to limit yourself, you can pair with a bunch of other ingredients such as potatoes, guacamole or eggs.
I hope this list has managed to offer you at least one recipe that suits your needs.
Don’t forget to come back and drop a comment to share your experience.
