The Ultimate Smoked Salmon Bagel

By
MacKenzie Smith
MacKenzie Smith
Recipe developer, food stylist, author, and teacher with a passion for sandwiches. She's behind the popular blog Grilled Cheese Social.
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Updated on 10/27/21
The Ultimate Smoked Salmon Bagel
Grilled Cheese Social
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 3 mins
Total: 8 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 sandwich
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
774 Calories
19g Fat
117g Carbs
35g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 774
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 19g 24%
Saturated Fat 9g 46%
Cholesterol 52mg 17%
Sodium 2379mg 103%
Total Carbohydrate 117g 43%
Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
Total Sugars 21g
Protein 35g
Vitamin C 21mg 103%
Calcium 513mg 39%
Iron 8mg 45%
Potassium 454mg 10%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Whether you're into smoked salmon, lox, or gravlax, this open-faced salmon bagel sandwich will blow your mind. Topped with pickled red onions, scallions, capers, and dill, it's a flavor explosion in each bite. The bagel sandwich is an excellent option for lunch, and it's also impressive enough to complete a light summer dinner, especially when served with a simple garden-fresh side salad.

Each ingredient of the smoked salmon bagel recipe plays a crucial role in giving the finished sandwich a well-rounded and satisfying flavor. The toasted "everything" bagel with its seasoned toppings is a perfect foundation for the smoked salmon. Pickled red onions add an unexpected pop of color as well as a nice vinegary bite that lightens up the smokiness of the salmon. The capers give the sandwich a salty depth, the scallions add a pleasant mild oniony flavor, and the cream cheese spread brings it all together. Don't forget the squeeze of fresh lemon juice; it's the ultimate finishing touch.

The real key to making such an array of flavors really work is to use the highest quality ingredients. The smallest upgrade in each element will make a world of difference, and you'll be rewarded with any extra effort that requires with the first bite. If you don't have salmon that is already smoked, you can smoke the fish on the stovetop. It's relatively quick and easy but does require at least a few hours to marinate.

The goodness doesn't have to stop there either. Add some bright red mullet roe or deep dark sturgeon caviar to the cream cheese to make this already mind-numbingly delicious sandwich even more opulent.

Ingredients

  • 1 everything bagel

  • 3 tablespoons cream cheese

  • 1/4 cup smoked salmon

  • 1 tablespoon pickled red onions

  • 1/2 teaspoon scallion, sliced

  • 1/2 teaspoon capers

  • 3 to 4 sprigs fresh dill

  • 1 lemon wedge

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Toast the bagel; making sure to let it sit for a second before you smear on the cream cheese. Allowing the heat to escape will not only help you create a more even schmear, but it will also make the bagel stay crisper as it sits.

  3. Add the smoked salmon to the bagel so that it creates an even layer.

  4. Add the pickled red onions, scallion slices, capers, and a few dill leaves.

  5. Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice and serve immediately. 

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