Perfect Smoked Salmon Bagel Board
An easy and elegant smoked salmon bagel board perfect for brunch, combining smoky salmon, whipped cream cheese, fresh veggies, and flavorful toppings for a crowd-pleasing spread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: Brunch
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4–6 bagels (plain, everything, or sesame), sliced and toasted
- 8 ounces smoked salmon, thinly sliced
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- Half a small red onion, thinly sliced (or red onion marmalade/quick-pickled onions)
- Half a cucumber, thinly sliced
- 4–5 radishes, thinly sliced (optional)
- A handful of fresh dill sprigs, roughly chopped
- Zest of one lemon plus lemon wedges for serving
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- Optional: sliced avocado, cherry tomatoes, everything bagel seasoning
Instructions
- Slice 4–6 bagels in half and toast until golden and slightly crisp (about 3–4 minutes). Keep warm by wrapping in a clean kitchen towel.
- In a mixing bowl, beat 8 ounces of softened cream cheese with 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 tablespoon milk until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Thinly slice half a cucumber, 4–5 radishes, and half a small red onion. Prepare quick-pickled onions ahead if using.
- Lay the toasted bagel halves evenly across your serving board. Spoon dollops or pipe whipped cream cheese onto each bagel half.
- Tear or fold the smoked salmon slices into bite-sized pieces and place atop the cream cheese on the bagels.
- Scatter capers, cucumber slices, radishes, and red onion around and on the bagels. Sprinkle fresh dill and lemon zest over the entire board.
- Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the salmon and veggies. Add freshly cracked black pepper and lemon wedges for squeezing.
- Add optional garnishes like sliced avocado, cherry tomatoes, or a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning to customize.
Notes
Whip cream cheese for a light, fluffy texture. Slice veggies thinly for balance. Toast bagels just before serving and keep warm wrapped in a towel. Assemble board just before serving to avoid soggy bagels. Can substitute dairy-free cream cheese and gluten-free bagels for dietary needs. Smoked trout or gravlax are good alternatives to salmon.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: One bagel half with
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 15
Keywords: smoked salmon, bagel board, brunch, easy brunch, elegant brunch, cream cheese, capers, fresh dill, lemon zest